Listen to Part I and Part II of this blog in 13 minutes here. (Note: post recording there’s an addition of the brain microbiome and infectome below) Last week, I discussed the role of the microbiome on brain and whole-body health. I also explained that we could use this information to empower our...
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More Than a (Gut) Feeling: How the Critters That Live Inside Our Bodies Influence Our Minds
That “Gut Feeling” Gone Bad Many have used the expression, “I have a gut feeling about…” to explain an intuitive sense of a situation or an impeding sense of danger. Although not a fully explored or understood topic in research, it appears that this “sense of knowing,” combined with experience/expertise, is an effective...
Emotional Regulation and Processing- The Truth in “Healthy Communication”
You can find the link to listen to this blog in 4.5 minutes by clicking here. Most everyone has heard of the old adages, “She wears her heart on her sleeve,” or “His face gave it away.” The sayings refer to how easily it is to “read” the emotions someone displays. Why is...
Don’t Eat 12-18 Hours a Day and Weight Loss Will Ensue- Is This the Right Message for Everyone? Part II:
The Latest Dietary Health Advice- Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss Click here to listen Part II of this blog in 8.5 minutes. Intermittent fasting is becoming popular in the health and diet industry. Rather than restricting how much to eat, food intake is allowable only for a limited period. This...
Gluten- The Evil-Doer or Guilt by Association?
Is Gluten Always Bad? Gluten has become a dirty word in the diet and health culture industry. There’s reason for this. I’ve written previously on how this protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other related grains may indeed trigger a negative response in certain individuals. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Under specific...
Healthism vs. Health- Living to Avoid Death, or Striving for a Well-Lived Life Part I
Last month, I started a series on healthism. In it, I discuss making health a priority as a means to live a happier, more vibrant life. Unfortunately, taken to an extreme, a focus on health can result in an unnatural preoccupation with body perfectionism and/or disordered eating patterns. I have witnessed, and have even...
“Good” Food, “Bad” Food, the “Forbidden Food”: Chewing on the Problem of Moralizing Food Choices
I counsel a lot of women with many digestive issues, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances. Underlying many of their health concerns, I’ve found, are hidden eating disorders and shame-based behaviors around how they nourish their bodies. If food is medicine, which I do believe it can be, then the message that the public is...
The Soothing Smell of Fennel Oil: More Than Just a Flavor for Your Kitchen Part II
This week, I decided to give us all a little “breather” by re-focusing on a favorite topic of mine, essential oils. In part I on my homepage, I provided an overview of the properties of fennel oil. These include its soothing action on the respiratory and digestive systems, inhibiting unwanted microbes, and its...
The Rewards of Swapping Toxic Consumer Products for Sustainable, Health-promoting Ones
As a naturopathic and functional medicine practitioner, I have the privilege of educating and supporting my clients on the nutrition, movement, lifestyle factors, and self-care practices that will optimize their individualized needs, goals, genetics, and epigenome. However, one of the biggest triggers and disruptors to staying healthy, even with the best wellness plan, are...
Healing the Body, Balancing the Mind, and Nurturing the Spirit- The Importance of a “Happy” Mind versus a Health-Obsessed Brain
First, A Welcome Note to My Readers You made it here! I’m so glad. Welcome to my first blog at my new location on Saratoga.com. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing for Living Well and look forward to continuing to interact with all of you on my brand-new webpage. I will still focus my articles...