Fermented foods have been getting a lot of attention—and for good reason. Foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, and kombucha can help support the gut microbiome (the community of microorganisms that plays a key role in digestion), immune regulation, inflammation, and metabolic health. Emerging research suggests that regularly eating fermented foods may be associated … Read more
Adverse food reactions are very common. If you have health concerns, this article will help you examine whether food might be a cause or contributing factor. What are Adverse Food Reactions? Adverse food reactions can be broadly classified into 2 categories: Sensitivity or Intolerance Time delayed reaction that occurs within hours to days of exposure … Read more
I often see gastrointestinal issues to be a large contributor in both symptoms of more complex conditions but also decrease in quality of life. One such issue is Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO is a condition where the bacteria that are usually in the large intestine inhabit the small intestine as well. This can … Read more
When she first came to see me, this woman in her 60s was feeling stuck. What began as a course of antibiotics for a simple infection had spiraled into months of digestive discomfort, fatigue, and hormonal symptoms that left her feeling unlike herself. She described waking each day with a heavy, bloated feeling — like … Read more
5% of the population eats enough fiber daily. Fiber goals vary according to age and gender, but should be 25-30 grams a day; ideally from food; not supplements. Most Americans are eating about 15 grams a day. Fiber is important for reducing the risk of colon cancer, diverticulitis, heart disease, diabetes, and constipation. Fiber also … Read more
At Boise Natural Health Clinic, many of our patients’ stories are inspiring—here is my latest one. A 13-year-old teen came to me this past fall, struggling with persistent fatigue, low weight, and a sense that they just weren’t thriving the way a kid should. The Early Struggles Even with ten hours of sleep, they woke … Read more
Introduction Did you know your gut health plays a crucial role in prostate and urinary health? Research shows that gut imbalances can contribute to prostatitis, UTIs, and prostate enlargement (BPH) by increasing inflammation and disrupting the bladder microbiome. Understanding this connection can help men take a gut-first approach to long-term urinary wellness. How Gut Health … Read more
Why Do We Need Strong Stomach Acid? Five steps to fixing your heartburn: Step 1 – Manage symptoms At first, if you are on an acid blocking medicine stay on the lowest dose you can tolerate. To treat occasional breakthrough heartburn symptoms, choose one at time from this list: Step 2 – Identify causes of … Read more
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are a common heartburn relief medicine. Some examples are Omeprazole (Prilosec), Famotidine (Pepcid) and Pantoprazole (Protonix). While they can be helpful in the short-term, long-term use can throw a wrench in the digestive process. PPIs don’t correct the original problem but mask it while the underlying destructive processes continues. New … Read more
It has been estimated that 60-70% of people diagnosed with IBS instead have SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). Common symptoms of SIBO are bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, restless leg syndrome, interstitial cystitis, brain fog, increasing food sensitivities, hair loss, and anemia. Sometimes we think of SIBO when patients report that the more fiber and healthy … Read more