Dr. Ruscio Radio, DC: Health, Nutrition and Functional Healthcare

Neural pathways that form the brain to gut connections can be damaged as a result of a concussion or other traumatic injury. For some patients whose symptoms don’t fully resolve with gut therapies, new treatments that stimulate neural pathways may be helpful. Functional neurology is an area of clinical practice that opens a window onto brain-based problems and provides some novel therapies. Today we talk about diagnostic clues for detecting a brain-to-gut problem and we explore electroceuticals, a new category of therapies that stimulate specific neural pathways with electricity. https://drruscio.com/?p=30240 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Often people try a few store-bought, random probiotics to help their gut, thinking they are all the same. Then they conclude that either they don’t work, or that they don’t tolerate them. Unfortunately, this can miss some of the most widely-studied effective classes of probiotics: a lactobacillus-bifidobacterium blend, S. boulardii, and soil-based probiotics. Phyllis, a patient, tried the random approach first and didn’t tolerate them. Then she tried the Healthy Gut, Healthy You probiotic protocol which brought in each of these three classes, one at a time. With this optimal group of three, she is seeing better digestion, including better bowel movements and more regularity. If you haven’t had success with probiotics, consider this protocol. https://drruscio.com/?p=30235 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Bloating may be largely ignored by most doctors, but this uncomfortable symptom is common and deserves more attention. Dr. Peter Whorwell, a specialist clinician and researcher, shares his insights into bloating and reveals some surprising facts. Why do only half of the patients with bloating pain show signs of abdominal swelling? What is a bloatometer? How is bloating with constipation different from bloating with diarrhea? When is bloating a sign of a more serious disease? What are the most current treatments? Join us for a detailed look at this important topic. https://drruscio.com/?p=30016 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Sometimes a trauma, whether physical or emotional, can push your limbic system into a “stuck” state of fight or flight. This can lead to a host of issues, from chemical hypersensitivities or fibromyalgia to IBS or survival-related emotional states. To restore your limbic system balance, one approach comes in the form of a neural retraining program. This system targets negative triggers through conscious awareness, guided visualization, exposure therapy, the pursuit of positive emotions, and other guided protocols. If your symptoms seem aligned with this condition, you may want to consider such a program. https://drruscio.com/?p=30014 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

An important contributing factor to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a food poisoning incident (and subsequent antibodies to a toxin called cytolethal distending toxin B, or CdtB). CdtB looks like a protein made by the body and can trigger autoimmunity that disrupts motility in the intestines. Dr. Mark Pimentel and his colleagues developed a blood test that tests for these antibodies, called IBS-smart. This blood test can be ordered by your doctor as a first-step to screen for IBS. It is designed to be covered by insurance. If you’re suffering from IBS-like symptoms, this test may save you time and money by verifying your IBS. As well, your level of antibodies (if present) can help inform you as to the severity of your condition and may inform treatment. https://drruscio.com/?p=29842 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

The connection between the gut and brain is powerful, and often not realized by the general public. When Dr. Aleksandra Gioe was faced with severe anxiety, she tried natural solutions like chamomile tea and holy basil. But these supplements didn’t address the more profound roots of her condition: gut inflammation. She also was suffering from bloating and chronic hives but didn’t link these with her anxiety. After just beginning the protocol from Healthy Gut, Healthy You, most notably the low FODMAP diet and probiotic protocol, she has seen an 80% reduction in all of her symptoms. Other patients have seen a reduction in symptoms like brain fog and depression from treating their gut dysbiosis. https://drruscio.com/?p=29840 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Intermittent fasting (or time-restricted feeding) is a method of limiting the time window you eat each day to a consistent number of hours and a consistent time each day. Between 8-10 hours of eating window is considered optimal in humans, which leaves 14-16 hours for your body to fast. This period allows your organs a break from digesting so they can heal. This can reduce leaky gut and improve blood sugar and blood pressure. Early studies showed that genetically identical mice fed the same number of calories became unhealthy when allowed to “free feed” (eat at any time) but lost weight when their feeding hours were restricted. Studies on humans have shown the same response. As a general rule of thumb, stay within a 10-hour eating window for at least 12 weeks to see best results, and stop eating at least 2-3 hours before sleeping. https://drruscio.com/?p=29660 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

In recent times, some types of genetic testing, like both diagnostic and predictive testing, have become more popular. These tests offer the potential to identify whether a current health condition might be affected by your genes, or whether you have a higher likelihood of developing certain conditions. Although these tests can offer some insights—such as whether your genes are processing glutamate well or producing too much or little estrogen—their predictive abilities should still be taken with a grain of salt. The science is still new and the effect of a few genes on an entire body is complex and not entirely understood. Likelihoods and probabilities are not certainties. In many cases, a traditional method of treatment and tailoring based on individual response can still be the best course of action. However, if you are facing a complex health condition, genetic testing may help shed additional light on your case. https://drruscio.com/?p=29658 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is finally available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Mitochondria are organelles, or “small bodies”, within your cells responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the body. If mitochondria aren’t functioning properly, your cells aren’t fed. Some contributors to mitochondrial damage include environmental toxins like Roundup in food, poor diet that includes refined carbohydrates and added sugars, and even too many nutrients overall. The result could be inflammation, and other conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infertility, or neural degeneration. To restore optimal function, consider a regimen that avoids packaged, processed foods and incorporates polyphenols and heart health supplements. As well, incorporate light exercise and proper breathing. https://drruscio.com/?p=29580 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out  https://drruscio.com/resources

A 25,000 person study shows that vitamin D supplementation does not reduce the incidence of cancer or cardiovascular disease versus a placebo. However, sun exposure has been tightly correlated with reduction in certain cancers as well as cardiovascular disease. Aim to get outside for 15 minutes with no sunblock, at least three times a week, to reap these benefits. See Healthy Gut, Healthy You for more specific dosage guidelines and considerations for your specific vitamin D level. https://drruscio.com/?p=29579 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources