Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder marked by abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel habits. Some may experience diarrhea, constipation and these can vary in intensity and duration. IBS can significantly affect daily life and impact both work and social interactions. In this blog, we review what IBS is, and how IV therapy can help alleviate its symptoms.
Read MoreFibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are two conditions that, on the surface, might seem unrelated – one primarily causes pain sensation in the muscles and soft tissues, while the other targets the digestive system. However, a closer examination reveals a surprising link between the two, shedding light on the complexities of how our bodies can react to chronic conditions.
Read MoreFibromyalgia can sound like a complex word, but it refers to a health condition that's more common than many people realize. In this blog post, we'll explore what fibromyalgia is, the types of symptoms it can cause, and how you can get support if you or someone you know is affected by it.
Read MoreIBS is far from a rare disorder. It's estimated that about 10-15% of the global population is affected by IBS, though the actual numbers may be higher due to underreporting. Despite the discomfort and inconvenience it can cause, IBS is still widely misunderstood and often not openly discussed, leading to feelings of isolation and embarrassment among those who suffer from it.
Read MorePMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and refers to an extreme collection of symptoms that occur in the 1-2 weeks leading up to our periods, making us feel like a different person. It is hard to imagine that our hormones can cause such extreme symptoms and changes in our personality. The reason this can happen is because PMDD is much more than a hormonal condition. It is actually a whole-body experience.
Read MoreImagine your body as a complex machine where every component must work perfectly. Methylation is one of those vital processes, akin to a set of on-off switches, that controls various functions within this machine. It involves the addition of a methyl group (a carbon atom linked to three hydrogen atoms) to different molecules in our bodies. This simple chemical modification can dramatically change how these molecules behave and interact, akin to a conductor in an orchestra ensuring every instrument plays its part at the right time.
Read MoreSmall Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) might sound complicated, but it's a condition we can easily understand with a simple analogy. Think of your small intestine as a garden. Just like a garden needs a balanced ecosystem to thrive, so does your small intestine. SIBO occurs when there are too many bacteria in this "garden," disrupting the delicate balance needed for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
Read MoreThe holiday season is over and the New Year is upon us. This is the time of year for new health resolutions. Some of you may be trying to find more time for exercise or maybe a little more time for yourself, and others may be looking for ways to restore their gut health. The holiday season is full of sweets and indulgent foods. Lots of foods that, while delicious, can have a huge impact on gut health. If you're looking for a few tips to get your gut back to baseline and reduce your bloating, here are a few things you can do:
Read MoreOne aspect that is frequently emphasized as a challenge during the holidays is food. While many people tend to feel stressed and overwhelmed by the food to consume, we want to take a step back and explore how we can promote mental and physical well-being when engaging with it during the holidays. Here are some ways we can approach holiday food to help us feel good instead of fostering fear, anxiety, and being overwhelmed.
Read MoreCircling back to the biggest question we receive at the clinic - do you actually need to eliminate gluten? In this blog, we chat about the connection between gluten and autoimmune disease specifically, and go through the research we have available looking at how gluten impacts the body.
Read MoreCeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten. The ingestion of gluten in those with celiac disease leads to destruction and damage to the small intestine. Undiagnosed celiac disease can impact reproductive health in multiple ways, including fertility outcomes.
Read MoreProbiotics are commonly prescribed and safe supplements, but they are overused and at times misunderstood by patients and practitioners. In this blog we go over some essential probiotic principles, so you better understand when and how to use probiotics properly!
Read MoreIrritable bowel syndrome is a general diagnosis for the symptoms of chronic bloating and poor bowel movements. In IBS, bloating is worse after meals, and bowel movements can be constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both. The problem is, although IBS is definitely a real diagnosis, it’s also a very general and lazy diagnosis, since it doesn’t address the root cause.
Read MoreAs a Naturopathic Doctor with a focus on Environmental Medicine, one of my favourite subjects to discuss is Detoxification and Elimination, because of how important each of these functions are to the body’s ability to stay healthy. I find that conversations around the body’s functions of detoxification and elimination are often minimalized and oversimplified, if not overlooked. In this blog, we’ll be going over some strategies to support our body’s natural detoxification processes!
Read MoreKicking off the new year with a new blog covering a big topic! Is gluten actually bad for digestion? In this blog Dr. Almir does a great job of clarifying the role of gluten in digestive disorders, and answers the big question on everyone’s mind - do you really need to cut out gluten?
Read MoreThere is something about the holidays and holiday eating that holds a certain “stress” associated with it. If you find that you are feeling out of control with food, anxious around food, or if you are experiencing obsessions or compulsions around food, it does not have to be this way. Here are some simple things that you can try this holiday season to feel empowered around food, no matter what your actual food choices are.
Read MoreWhen it comes to building a healthy gut, many people automatically jump to grabbing prebiotics, probiotics or adding more dietary fiber into their diets. However, if you’re struggling with IBS you may have found that these ‘go-to’ gut strategies either have no effect, or they actually make things worse. In this blog Dr. Almir dives into the do's and don'ts of treating IBS.
Read MoreThe manifestation of autoimmunity and the occurrence of digestive dysfunction is a two way street. Having an autoimmune disease will create problems in your digestive system and having a poorly working gut can lead to autoimmunity, or make it worse.
Read MoreA quick search on ‘soy & health’ brings up so many conflicting opinions that it can be hard to know what to believe. Does soy protect you from cancer? Is it safe for men? Is it safe before menopause? Should you avoid it if you’ve already had cancer? A lot of us avoid soy altogether because of these uncertainties, but writing it off completely may mean you miss out on some wonderful benefits! So let’s look at what we really know.
Read MoreWith the holiday season upon us, it can be hard to resist all the amazing meals, baked goods, and celebrations this time of year brings. Unfortunately however, indulging all December-long can wreak havoc on your health. You might notice your skin isn’t as clear, your digestion feels off, and you’re just generally feeling sluggish. So how do we make it through the holidays feeling well without sacrificing the holiday festivities?
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