The microbiome is a large body of bacteria, and some fungi and viruses that helps humans with detoxification, protection and regulation of body systems such as hormone and energy distribution, the immune system, and the brain for thinking and behaviour. It also provides nutrients like folate, vitamin K, biotin, riboflavin (B2), cobalamin (B12), and possibly other B vitamins and produces and/or consume a wide range of chemical messengers including dopamine, norepinephrine/adrenaline, serotonin, …

Psoriasis? According to research, your diet and health of your gut might offer some relief.

That's what 86% of 1206 psoriasis patients in the United States reported when they responded to a national survey.

The greatest skin improvement was reported after reducing alcohol (53.8%), gluten (53.4%), nightshades (52.1%), and after adding fish oil/omega-3 (44.6%), vegetables (42.5%), and oral vitamin D (41%).

While this post does not substitute medical advice, it does offer some things to thin…

At the site of any organ or tissue damage, there is inflammation. Long term chronic disease is often a result of chronic inflammatory processes that involve reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Oxidative stress occurs in the body when free radical cause a large chain of chemical reactions. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), a biomarker on a laboratory liver panel blood test, is a signaling factor of this chain of chemical reactions. One may request blood work for liver enzymes, including GGT at their…

Eczema, otherwise known as atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease that presents in varied ways. While it has genetic factors, it often flares with environmental triggers. Conventional treatment options have variable effectiveness and more holistic approaches are worth exploring.

It is always important to consider the gut health, the microbiome and environmental factors in eczema or atopic dermatitis (AD) cases. 

Principal factors that aggravate ecz…

There are links between gut and mood. In Beyond Digestion, I talk a lot about the fact that we not only have to digest our food, but also the world around us. When life gives us more than we can handle, it is literally "beyond digestion", meaning life can be stressful, especially we lack the appropriate ways to cope.

Did you know? Of those with IBS, thirty percent seek treatment and in that thirty percent, ninety percent of the people have anxiety and or depression. But even those who don't h…

Medicinal Mushrooms!

The great emperors of China used medicinal mushrooms as a nourishing tonic, aphrodisiac and for anti-aging.  Medicinal mushroom use dates back 4,000 years. Medicinal mushrooms are helpful because of their β-Glucans. The exact structure of the β-Glucan gives each mushroom its unique properties.

Here is an overview of three great medicinal mushrooms, however there are plenty more mushrooms to consider when it comes to your immune health.

Reishi “King of the Mushrooms”(G…

Vital vitamin

Vitamin C is a water-soluble dietary vitamin essential for human life. Orally it is used help reduce the risk of upper tract respiratory infections, reduce lipid levels (LDL and TAGs) in those with high cholesterol, reduce blood pressure in those with hypertension, helps prevent atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgeries, reduces post-operative pain, lowers concentrations of blood levels of lead and improves the markers of anemia in patients on hemodialysis.

Vitamin C is found …

Low level of vitamin D is connected to painful conditions such as fibromyalgia, and rheumatic diseases^[i]. Infectious, autoimmune and neurological diseases, as well as neuromuscular disorders, which can lead to increased pain sensitivity are also linked to insufficient Vitamin D status^[ii]. Low levels of vitamins D is also associated with poor sleep quality.

Sleep is a complex interactive state full of restorative and intense metabolic activity.  Chronic sleep and circadian rhythm disruption, …

Whether you want to ward off infection, seek Spiritual connection, need a gut microbe rhythm reset, or help with insulin and blood sugar regulation, digestive rest or fasting may be something to consider.

Fight Infection

“Starve a fever.” Rest, fever, and fasting are part of the secret recipe to fight infection. Where does most of the war rage? At least 70 percent in the gut. If the gut is busy digesting food, it struggles to focus on warding off infection.

Our bodies are designed to heal…

Join my colleague, Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND and me in her "The Good Mood Podcast" episode 45.

Here's what Dr. Talia has to say:

"We've talked digestion on The Good Mood Podcast: the structure and function of the vagus nerve and how putting your hands on can help diagnose and treat disease with Dr. David Miller, the gut microbiome and your trillions of little friends with Dr. Kim Bretz. BUT we can never talk too much digestion. As Dr. Laura shows us, there are multiple multiple angles at w…