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Secondary Immune Deficiency and Its Impact on Long-Term Health w/ Dr. Fulvio Salvo | Ep 61
27th August 2026 • Time to Transform with Dr Deepa Grandon • Deepa Grandon MD
00:00:00 00:54:20

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What if the reason you keep getting sick is not simply bad luck, seasonal viruses, or a string of unrelated health problems, but an immune system that has quietly become less effective over time?

Most of us think of immune deficiency as a rare genetic condition discovered in childhood. But a far more common form can develop later in life.

Because the symptoms often appear separately, patients may spend years moving between specialists without anyone asking the question that connects the entire picture: Is the immune system functioning the way it should?

In this episode, we explore secondary immune deficiency and why it remains so easy to miss. Joining me is Dr. Fulvio Salvo, an internationally experienced allergist and clinical immunologist who has practiced at leading institutions in Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

He helps us understand how genetics, environment, nutrition, lifestyle, and modern medicine can intersect to strengthen (or gradually undermine) our immune defenses.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

  • Why secondary immune deficiency is more common, and more easily overlooked than inherited immune disorders
  • The recurring infection patterns that should prompt a closer look at immune function
  • How fragmented medical care can prevent clinicians from connecting seemingly unrelated symptoms
  • The basic tests a primary care physician can use to begin evaluating immune function
  • How obesity creates an inflammatory environment that can disrupt immune regulation throughout the body
  • What we currently know about GLP-1 medications and their effects on immunity
  • Why anti-inflammatory medications are not automatically immunosuppressive
  • Why correcting a vitamin or mineral deficiency can help, while taking more than your body needs may offer no added benefit
  • What makes zinc lozenges different from simply swallowing a zinc supplement
  • The three practical foundations of healthier immunity: lifestyle, vaccination, and knowing your own health history

About the Guest

Dr. Fulvio Salvo is an internationally respected expert in allergy and clinical immunology. He has trained and practiced at leading medical institutions around the world, including San Raffaele Hospital in Italy and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and he now serves as a clinical immunologist and allergist in Cairns, Australia. Throughout his career, he has cared for patients with complex immune disorders while developing a unique global perspective on how genetics, environment, nutrition, lifestyle, and modern medicine influence immune health. Connect with Dr. Salvo on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

Hosted by Dr. Deepa Grandon, MD, MBA, a triple board-certified physician with over 23 years of experience working as a Physician Consultant for influential organizations worldwide. Dr. Grandon is the founder of Transformational Life Consulting (TLC) and an outspoken faith-based leader in evidence-based lifestyle medicine.

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