It has long been believed that only certain gene types are susceptible to celiac disease and that the destruction caused by gluten is limited to the intestinal tract. Gene types HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 have been associated with an increased risk of celiac disease. Gliadin and transglutaminase antibodies, which can be measured in the…
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Depression is not an antidepressant deficiency. In fact, for the 40% of Americans complaining of gut symptoms, depression may be one of those symptoms. Studies have found that the inflammatory signals in the gut can travel to the brain, triggering depression. Clinically, I have seen many patients resolve their depression simply by dampening gut inflammation.…
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If a child’s gut problems seem stubborn and irresolvable, the role of the brain should be considered. In the early years of life, the brain consists of two types of tissues: gray matter and white matter. Gray matter houses the neurons and reaches its peak by around ages 6–8. White matter, which serves as the…
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Listen to the podcast on iTunes. (Also available on major podcast platforms). Watch the YouTube video. If you have gut health issues such as inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut, chronic bloating, or constipation, you need to work north-to-south to identify and address problems. Disruptions at any stage of the digestive process have a domino-like effect, preventing…
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Listen to the podcast on iTunes. (Also available on major podcast platforms). Watch the YouTube video. Frequent bouts of acid reflux and indigestion can be a red flag that your stomach acid, or hydrochloric acid, is actually too low. If you suffer from chronic acid reflux and indigestion, keep note of specific foods that trigger your symptoms. …
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Listen to the podcast on iTunes or major podcast platforms. Watch the video on YouTube. Chronic bloating and abdominal distention are common gut health complaints. In this article I’ll go over the various causes and solutions. First, it’s important to address the obvious. If you eat the standard American diet, which is high sugar, carbs,…
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Have you ever bought an expensive bottle of probiotics and wondered, do probiotics really work? The short answer is yes, but only to some degree. A few things are important to know when it comes to probiotics: When are they beneficial, and when are they not? Are there better ways to achieve your gastrointestinal goals?…
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If you experience bloating and poor digestion, you may need to take a look at whether you’re producing enough pancreatic enzymes. This is an important step in addressing digestive dysfunction in an organized “north-to-south” sequence. If any single step along the way is out of balance, the entire system will be less efficient and any…
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Stomach acid is vital for good gut health. Contrary to popular belief, low stomach acid not only can cause acid reflux and heartburn, but also it can compromise overall gut health thanks to the principles of the north-to-south digestive hierarchy. You can find out if low stomach acid is causing your gut problems by doing…
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One of the biggest mistakes people make with gut health protocols is expecting success from a one-size-fits-all solution. Ten different people can have leaky gut or other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms for 10 different reasons. It’s important to understand why your gut isn’t working before you try and fix it. The most effective clinical approach —…
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Leaky gut has become a household term. However, while it’s easy to find information online, in books, through courses, and even in pamphlets at your doctor’s office, leaky gut myths abound. Many patients continue to suffer or feel frustrated due to widespread misinformation on the causes and solutions for leaky gut syndrome. In this article…
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If you suffer from poor brain function or chronic gut health complaints, you may benefit from performing regular coffee enemas to improve communication between the brain and the gut. Central to communication between the brain and the gut — called the gut-brain axis — is the vagus nerve. This is a long, meandering nerve that…
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