Whether you’re fat or thin, anxious or relaxed, sickly or resilient — this could all stem from the way you were born thanks to the effects of bacteria in our first few seconds of life. Babies born via c-section are shown to have less desirable gut bacteria, or a gut microbiome, compared to babies born […]
We live in a sea of toxins and we all carry significant amounts of heavy metals and environmental toxins in our bodies. Even if you eat all organic foods, drink filtered water, and use non-toxic home and body products, you will still come in contact with numerous toxins as a part of daily modern life.
How to reduce your toxic burden and protect immunity Read More »
In the world of functional medicine, it has long been known that gut health is paramount to the health of the rest of the body. For decades we didn’t fully understand why, although we knew the gut was the seat of the immune system and chronic inflammation. Now with the gut microbiome renaissance underway, we
Gut problems can have different root causes Read More »
If you struggle with heartburn or acid reflux, you just pop some pills for that, right? Turns out regular use of drugs to treat heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers can lead to an earlier death. These disorders are some of the easier to manage using functional medicine protocols, so it’s unnecessary to risk shortening your
New study links PPIs to earlier death, chronic disease Read More »
Although the produce section at the grocery store may look vast, it only represents a fraction of edible, nutritious, and tasty plant foods. It’s estimated there are more than 20,000 species of edible plants, and that we only eat about 20 to 50 of them. As a result, this may be playing a significant role
Integrating ancient fiber needs into a modern diet Read More »
When we go to the doctor with symptoms of acid reflux, gas, bloating and heartburn, typically the diagnosis of high stomach acid is based purely on symptoms — not a lab test for stomach acid levels — resulting in a prescription for antacids, histamine type 2 receptor agonists (H2 blockers), Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), or
How to support optimal stomach acid for good digestion Read More »
How can the 6 R’s help your digestion and autoimmunity? Do you have autoimmunity and have tried everything to heal your gut? Maybe you’ve “gone Paleo,” made barrels of bone broth, stopped sugar and gluten and eaten lots of probiotic foods. You might have even taken tons of supplements, and it seems like it’s not working.
6 R’s Program – Help for your digestion and autoimmunity Read More »
People with eating disorders such as anorexia simply do not experience hunger and satiety in the same way people who have a healthy relationship with food do. New research suggests that the composition of gut bacteria, or the gut microbiome, may play a role in the behavioral aspects of anorexia and eating disorders. For instance,
Gut bacteria play a role in anorexia; eating disorders Read More »
Numerous studies show a strong link between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland, causing hypothyroidism. This is because gluten has a molecular structure that closely resembles thyroid tissue — gluten sensitivity triggers an attack on the thyroid gland. Gluten (technically, the correct term is gliadin), is the protein
Test for gluten intolerance if you have Hashimoto’s Read More »
Autoimmune disease is a modern epidemic in which your body’s immune system, which normally helps defend you from pathogens, mistakenly attacks your own organs and tissues. Current research tells us multiple factors can play a role in causing autoimmunity, including viruses. More recently, a virus has been linked with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in
Viruses trigger celiac disease and other autoimmunities Read More »
Sufficient vitamin D levels requires more than a healthy diet and taking supplements—good vitamin D levels need the right cofactors too. A shocking three-quarters of the US population has too little vitamin D, even in sunny locales. Vitamin D is necessary to dampen inflammation and tame autoimmune diseases. Some people with autoimmunity may even need
Don’t overlook the necessity of vitamin D cofactors Read More »
Even if you eat all organic, many oat-based foods such as cereal, granola, instant oats, and bars contain glyphosate, the toxic weed-killer in Roundup. The independent study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) measured levels of glyphosate in 45 samples of products made with conventional oats, and 16 samples made with organically grown oats.
Think twice before you Roundup some more oats Read More »
In functional medicine we look at diet and lifestyle strategies to prevent or reverse disease, calm inflammation, and slow the aging process. However, other overlooked but extremely important aspects to your health are your general happiness, well-being, and attitude. Science shows happiness and positivity are correlated with better health. If you are not naturally happy,
Six lifelong habits found among the happiest people Read More »
While most doctors prescribe antacids to lower stomach acid for heart burn and acid reflux, the real culprit may be that your stomach acid is already too low. This is called hypochlorhydria and it plays a role in autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Sufficient stomach acid, or hydrochloric acid (HCl), is necessary to: Protect
Why antacids may not help acid reflux with Hashimoto’s Read More »
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the number one cause of disability in the US, afflicting 31 million people. Until now, treatment strategies have been aimed at pain relief but not the inflammatory factors driving it. However, new research shows that improving the gut microbiome — the community of bacteria that live in your gut
Target gut microbiome for osteoarthritis and joint pain Read More »
‘The eyes are the windows to the soul’, they say. Taking that one step further, one could very well say that the hair is the window to your health. Any change in your mental or physical health, your hair will reflect it. However, few of us fail to realize this. All of us want
What can you do about your hair loss? Read More »
Green tea – miracle or myth? As more and more people are opting for a healthier lifestyle today, beverages like protein shakes and detox drinks are gaining popularity. One of such considered to-be-healthy drinks is green tea. However, rather than being a new scientific discovery, green tea has been in use since the ancient
Green Tea – Miracle or Myth? Read More »
The benefits of modern life are undeniable. Who would not accept cold air coming from an air conditioner on a hot day? Could you completely stop using your cell phone for two or three consecutive days? Could you travel from one country to another without using modern transportation such as airplanes or bus services?
Should you try a Detox Diet? Read More »
Dark circles under the eyes are a common medical condition of both men and women, although they can sometimes be observed in young ages or children. Dark circles under the eyes do not necessarily indicate tiredness, but stress and exhaustion are likely to aggravate the facial appearance of many individuals, including their likelihood to
Do you have Dark Circles under your Eyes? Read More »
[smps_sl_youtube data=”%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FfXqF1o0eDE8%22%2C%22width%22%3A%22800%22%2C%22height%22%3A%22450%22%2C%22responsive%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22controls%22%3A0%2C%22autohide%22%3A2%2C%22show_title_bar%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22autoplay%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22loop%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22related_videos%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22full_screen_button%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22modestbranding%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22class%22%3A%22%22%7D” ] You may have a “gut feeling” about what I’m going to tell you, and it is likely you have used the expression “I have a gut feeling” or the saying “I feel butterflies in my stomach.” As it turns out, it is not a coincidence that these phrases involve the gut
Having digestive problems? It could be your BRAIN? Read More »
Have you ever been too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about problems with constipation? Constipation is the irregular bowel movement and the difficulty in the passage of stools. It can often last uncomfortably for at least several weeks. This condition is usually determined when a person has less than three bowel movements a
What can you do for Constipation? Read More »
A recent study found regular use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux raises the risk of stomach cancer. PPI users (Prilosec, Prevacid) in the study had twice the risk for stomach cancer compared to those who used H2-receptor acid reducing drugs (Tagamet, Pepcid). About 20 percent of Americans suffer with acid reflux and
Heartburn? Antacids can raise stomach cancer risk Read More »
When people are working to manage an autoimmune or chronic condition, they typically focus on an anti-inflammatory diet and protocol. However, one often overlooked dealbreaker to getting better is anemia. Anemia as is a deal breaker to recovery because it means your cells are not getting enough oxygen. Without oxygen, recovery and repair can’t happen.
Anemia may be making your autoimmune disease worse. Read More »
[smps_sl_youtube data=”%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FwX7OgH121zA%22%2C%22width%22%3A%22800%22%2C%22height%22%3A%22450%22%2C%22responsive%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22controls%22%3A0%2C%22autohide%22%3A2%2C%22show_title_bar%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22autoplay%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22loop%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22related_videos%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22full_screen_button%22%3A%22yes%22%2C%22modestbranding%22%3A%22no%22%2C%22class%22%3A%22%22%7D” ] Diabetes may be considered as one of the most notorious chronic problem that one can have. Having this condition comes with a lot of problems that will involve issues with wound healing, nerve functions, physical endurance, and organ efficiency (particularly the pancreas). Read on and I’ll show you the wonders of
Can Probiotics help Blood Sugar issues and Diabetes? Read More »
A recent study showed a low-carbohydrate, whole foods diet low in inflammatory foods significantly decreases thyroid antibodies — the marker for autoimmune thyroid disease, or Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland; it is the cause of about 90 percent of hypothyroid cases. This study is further evidence you
Study shows diet tames Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism Read More »
A recent study confirmed what functional medicine has long since known — the autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet is highly successful for managing chronic health disorders. The first-of-its-kind study showed the majority of participants quickly achieved and maintained remission of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis on the AIP diet. A number of participants were even
Study confirms autoimmune paleo (AIP) diet works Read More »
Most thyroid issues are autoimmune by nature. Around 70-80% of the autoimmunity issues can be traced to gut infections. On the flip side, having gut infections can increase the likelihood of an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease needs three things to occur. The three risk factors include genetic predisposition, intestinal permeability, and environmental triggers like
Can INFECTIONS disrupt THYROID Function? Read More »
Do you really understand your thyroid labs, and why should you care? It’s important to know what is happening with your labs because knowing is power. Getting to the root cause of your problems can make a big difference in your health. When you have lab work performed, your results are compared to normal ranges.
Do you really understand your Thyroid Labs? Read More »
Let’s review some thyroid physiology before we get into nutrition. Learning how the thyroid works will help you understand how to take care of it. The hypothalamus is a portion of your brain that has sensors that can detect what is happening in the blood. The endocrine system is a group of organs that release
Do you have to be concerned with thyroid nutrition? Read More »
Before we start understanding conversion, let’s take a look at the physiology of how the thyroid gland works. When your body senses that your thyroid hormone level is low, the hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland in the brain to produce TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH tells the thyroid gland to start producing more thyroid hormones.
Is your Thyroid Hormone being Converted to the active form? Read More »
The adrenal glands are two parts of your body that are located on top of the kidneys. They are mainly responsible for burning fats and proteins, controlling your blood sugar levels, regulating the blood pressure, and helping you effectively cope up with stress. On the other hand, the thyroid gland is the butterfly-shaped organ found
Is it your THYROID, ADRENALS, or BOTH? Read More »
The road to chronic disease — from arthritis to heart disease — is paved with sugar and refined carbohydrates. It’s a freeway that leads straight to insulin resistance syndrome, given the right conditions, most notably being overweight and inactive. The devastating chain of events that leads to chronic disease goes like this: Carbs and sugar
Eating yourself sick: Insulin resistance and disease Read More »
You can eat fermented foods every day and take all the probiotic supplements you want, but if you aren’t also feeding those intestinal bacteria what they want, you could be throwing your money away. That’s because to thrive and multiply, healthy gut bacteria need to eat. And what your gut bacteria like best is
What your gut bacteria need to eat to survive and thrive Read More »
You could be developing an autoimmune disease, one of the most common diseases today, and are not aware of it. This is because autoimmune diseases sometimes start off as “silent” autoimmunity. This means your immune system is attacking tissue in your body but the damage isn’t bad enough to cause symptoms yet. Autoimmune disease is
Could you be developing an autoimmune disease? Read More »
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently announced coconut oil is bad for you. This is the same advisory organization that endorses breakfast cereals loaded with sugars and artificial additives. It’s important to look at this coconut oil advisory in context: Saturated fats have been proven repeatedly not to be bad for your health or raise the
Is coconut oil good for you? Read More »
Our bodies have to work hard to deal with hundreds of toxic chemicals in our daily environment, in our food, and our water. Even if you eat a clean, organic diet and use non-toxic products, it’s impossible to completely avoid them. Thankfully, certain natural compounds can boost levels of our most powerful antioxidant, glutathione,
Glutathione: A power tool in autoimmune management Read More »
