Beth had a long history of gastrointestinal issues, a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s, chronic fatigue and several food intolerances… to name a few. She was taking thyroid medication as prescribed, but it didn’t seem to help. Then, she started working with Dr. Joe Mather from our clinic, who worked through our science-based, algorithmic process to find a better way. Beth and Dr. Mather worked together, focusing on implementing a new diet, beginning probiotic therapy and using other evidence-based tools. Not only was she able to safely discontinue her thyroid medication, but she soon saw improvements in fatigue, constipation, metabolic issues, food tolerance, heavy metal toxicity and more. Listen in as Dr. Joe and I detail step-by-step how our model helped to make this happen. You’ll also hear Beth tell her story in her own words.
https://drruscio.com/stop-thyroid-meds-case-study
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
What’s the best diet for brain health? Research into this topic is still preliminary and suggests a few different approaches. However, eating to control inflammation and manage blood sugar is most important. Here, we’ll dive into the best dietary strategies for improving cognition, mood, beating brain fog and more.
https://drruscio.com/best-diet-for-brain-health/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
There is much existing clinical research on probiotics, and more studies are emerging on a regular basis. In this podcast episode I review 10 studies that examine the effectiveness of probiotics for improving gut health, liver function, mood, sleep, children’s issues, and more. I also cover pointers for practitioners to keep in mind when prescribing probiotics for patients.
https://drruscio.com/probiotic-research-updates-2/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Blood glucose holds keys to many important health markers including metabolic health, insulin levels, and our risk for chronic disease. The Continuous Glucose Monitoring device provides a simple, non-invasive way to track your blood glucose in real time, and see how your diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors affect your levels.
Kara Collier, co-founder of Nutrisense, discusses this important innovation in personal health tracking.
https://drruscio.com/continuous-glucose-monitoring
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
The protozoa Blastocystic hominis, long thought to be a cause of IBS, is receiving renewed attention in the functional and integrative medicine field. A growing body of evidence shows that Blasto may be benign in its impact and, in fact, may not even be a parasite as was previously assumed.
In this podcast episode, I review a sampling of studies that examine the prevalence of Blasto in patients with IBS, and consider the effects of treatment on both Blasto and symptomology.
The takeaway for practitioners is we should always treat the patient rather than the lab result, and even consider a more conservative approach to recommending labs for gut symptoms.
https://drruscio.com/blastocystis-treat-or-not
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Sleep is as important for our overall health as diet and exercise, and yet many people struggle to get a full night’s rest on a regular basis. Prolonged bouts of insufficient sleep can lead to brain fog, mood issues and fatigue.
But when it comes to improving sleep quality, there are many approaches, therapies, and devices to choose from.
In this podcast, I talk sleep medicine with Dr. Nik Hedberg, D.C. We compare our personal experiences with myofunctional therapy, mouth taping, mandibular advancement devices, home sleep tests, and more.
https://drruscio.com/sleep-medicine-advances
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
If you have SIBO, it’s important to choose a diet that will help you get your symptoms under control while you work on healing the bacterial overgrowth that’s at the root of the problem.
But selecting a diet that fits your needs can be challenging.
In this article, I break down the various dietary options for SIBO and explain how to decide which one is right for you.
https://drruscio.com/sibo-diet/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Monitoring your progress on a keto diet is essential to helping you meet your health goals, whether you want to lose weight, increase your energy levels, reduce inflammation or improve brain and heart health.
On this episode of the podcast I speak with Jim Howard, developer of the Biosense Ketone Breath Monitor. The Biosense offers a convenient way to measure your blood ketone levels throughout the day without the hassle of finger prick testing.
We discuss different factors that affect ketone measurements, how tracking your ketone levels can help you uncover your physiological responses to diet and lifestyle factors, how to prepare your body for keto, and more.
https://drruscio.com/ketosis-breath-monitor
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Today’s podcast is another in a recurring series devoted to questions from listeners.
We have a diverse batch of questions today. Listeners inquire about the potential relationship between diabetes and thyroid function, whether the COVID vaccine has a negative impact on gut health, whether POTS reactions and headaches are common symptoms of fasting, and more.
There’s something here for everyone. Listen and learn.
https://drruscio.com/questions-thyroid-diabetes
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
The health of the pelvic floor is key to our overall health in important ways. My podcast guest today is pelvic health expert Jandra Mueller, and she explains how gastrointestinal issues such as IBS and SIBO, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, erectile dysfunction and trauma can all impact the health and tone of the pelvic floor, and how stigmas around normal bodily functions can present obstacles to patients seeking the help they need.
Jandra dispels some myths and fears around pelvic floor issues, and discusses a variety of non-surgical interventions for pelvic floor concerns that can improve wellbeing and quality of life for patients.
https://drruscio.com/pelvic-floor-dysfunction
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Choosing the right kind of exercise is complicated by the number of exercise fads out there and the amount of time that you have to devote to any one method.
In today’s podcast, my guest, exercise expert Sal Di Stefano, makes the case for resistance training and why it’s superior to cardio for helping people lose weight, build muscle mass and bone density, even improve growth hormone levels and stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
https://drruscio.com/resistance-training
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
When it comes to keeping our brains healthy, one of the tools at our disposal is far from new. In fact, it has been around since the beginning of human history.
The health benefits of fasting are well-established, and it turns out that the brain may benefit from the metabolic reset that fasting enables. Keto diets fall into this same category. A combination of the two may be able to help ward off a variety of degenerative conditions and help us maintain brain health as we age.
In this podcast, Dr. Matthew Phillips, a clinical neurologist, talks about his research and experience with using fasting to address Alzheimers, Parkinsons, epilepsy and other conditions. Our discussion offers food for thought on the use of dietary interventions to improve metabolic health.
https://drruscio.com/fasting-brain-health
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
If you’re a woman with hormonal trouble, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 80% of women will have some form of hormonal imbalance at some point in their lives. Hormonal imbalance in women can include garden variety women’s health problems like PMS, to more serious conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or endometriosis.
In this article, let’s explore the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, the causes and consequences of hormonal imbalance in women, and how to restore balance.
https://drruscio.com/hormonal-imbalance-in-women/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Food sensitivity testing is one of the diagnostic tools most widely recommended by functional medicine practitioners to their patients, and it has blossomed into a lucrative industry that nets millions of dollars per year for companies that market these home testing kits to consumers.
But the science behind these tests is flawed. In this podcast, I discuss how getting to the root of food reactions relies on evidence-based trials that ultimately helps patients heal without asking them to spend thousands on faulty testing.
Other podcast highlights include a case study from an FFMR subscriber who helped a patient with known environmental exposure by applying the principles of the FFMR (and without testing).
Also featured are rapid research briefs from the FFMR plus with a look at why iron deficiency even without anemia can be a significant clinical issue requiring active treatment, and dietary interventions for treating eosinophilic esophagitis.
https://drruscio.com/food-sensitivity-testing-ffmr/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
We speak frequently about the importance of an evidence-informed, gut-first approach for addressing chronic symptoms both inside and outside the GI tract. And the more research and clinical experience we compile, the more we find that a wide range of concerns can be improved by looking at them through the lens of gut health.
On this podcast, I summarize clinical reviews and case studies from the June 2021 issue of the Future of Functional Medicine Clinical Newsletter that treat mold toxicity and environmental illness by addressing diet, GI health, and thyroid.
I discuss a case study of a patient with psoriatic arthritis that was resolved in a month, a review of studies highlighting the role of diet and supplements for treating IBD, and new findings about the symptomatology and treatment of Blastocystis hominis.
https://drruscio.com/mold-toxicity-ffmr/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
The Ruscio Institute uses an evidence-based clinical model as the foundation for our treatment protocols. This means not only incorporating the most current research into treatment decisions, but also applying a critical eye to research studies rather than accept their conclusions at face value.
Today’s podcast looks at studies on the possible role of autoimmunity in IBS and SIBO, whether antibody levels are a valid marker of gut dysbiosis, low FODMAP diets for IBS, and more.
Listen as I explain how we blend critical thinking with clinical research to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.
https://drruscio.com/does-autoimmunity-cause-sibo
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
The Future of Functional Medicine Review was launched to provide clinicians with the resources and skills to help patients heal from challenging symptoms, and to help steer the field toward a more evidence-informed approach and away from excessive reliance on labs and supplements.
On today’s podcast, three clinicians join Dr. Ruscio to discuss their successes using the principles of the FFMR to treat hundreds of patients.
Listen and learn how the FFMR encourages practitioners to cultivate an internal “anti-virus software” that keeps them questioning and learning, and how clinician and citizen scientists can use the FFMR to positively and inexpensively grow their functional medicine education or clinical practice.
https://drruscio.com/better-results-with-functional-medicine
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/ resources
Stress and its associated symptoms such as impaired sleep, depression, PTSD, and lowered cognitive performance are among the most pressing mental health issues of our time. Many turn to stimulants and other substances to help them cope.
A wearable technology developed by neuroscientists may hold answers. The Apollo Neuro, based on decades of research, uses touch therapy in the form of sound waves to deliver a gentle vibration to the skin and helps the wearer shift mood and energy level.
https://drruscio.com/managing-moods-and-stress-wearable-technology
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit
https://ruscioinstitute.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
If you experience ongoing stomach discomfort such as burning sensations, heartburn, nausea, or peptic ulcers, or gastritis, chances are you may have a helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, infection. H. pylori infection is a risk factor for many health conditions and shouldn’t be left untreated.
Today’s podcast gives you the rundown on H. pylori, a bacteria that can live in the stomach or digestive tract. About 10 - 20% of those infected with it will experience symptoms.
https://drruscio.com/h-pylori-probiotics/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Do you struggle with a thyroid disorder? Are you a clinician treating patients with hypothyroidism and struggling to get optimal results? In today’s podcast, we showcase some of the most essential clinical pearls when it comes to treating thyroid disorders taken from a recent issue of the Future of Functional Medicine Clinical Newsletter.
https://drruscio.com/how-to-successfully-treat-thyroid-disorders
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Dr. Anna Cabeca, OB/GYN, Anti-Aging and Integrative Medicine expert believes in whole health, powerful immunity, and a great sex life at any age.
In this podcast, Anna shares the tools that she developed through her investigations into balancing female hormones, improving brain health, and improving sexual health in and around menopause. Our wide ranging discussion in the podcast today touches on the advantages of a ketogenic diet for older women, the importance of having more oxytocin in your life, the benefits of bioidentical progesterone, why gratitude is good for your health, and so much more.
Her message about paying attention to your intuition and not accepting suffering as a way of life will resonate with listeners.
https://drruscio.com/how-ketosis-can-benefit-the-brain
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/ resources
Keto diets have become very popular for weight loss, and many people swear by them for addressing a variety of health issues. However, there are pitfalls associated with being on these diets for extended periods of time.
Sara Gottfried, MD, is an expert on women’s hormonal health, and in this podcast she discusses the reasons why a keto diet can be stressful to adrenal balance, the gut microbiome, and overall wellness, as well as the best way for women to approach short-term keto dieting.
Listen as Sara breaks down the importance of moderate carb intake, and the connections between food, hormones, and a seasonal approach to diet.
https://drruscio.com/keto-diet-for-women
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
If you live with food intolerances, symptoms such as headaches, GI issues, brain fog, and fatigue may be a source of frustration.
Food intolerances are often linked to underlying gut health or immune issues. They are often short term and can be addressed with diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Learn about some of the most common food intolerances and what causes them, as well as tips to help you start feeling better.
https://drruscio.com/common-food-intolerances/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
The scientific understanding of COVID-19 is evolving rapidly, and the research now tells us that there is a link between gastrointestinal dysbiosis and the symptoms of long haul COVID.
On today’s podcast, I speak with Dr. Leonard Weinstock, a gastroenterologist and clinical researcher. We discuss his latest findings about long COVID, mast cell activation, and the relationship to gut health.
For COVID-19 patients who are suffering with severe chronic symptoms post infection, these findings could change the way this condition is treated by highlighting the role of restoring microbial balance.
https://drruscio.com/how-to-improve-long-haul-covid
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources
Probiotics are beneficial for everyone’s gut and immune health, but they hold promise for helping with some conditions that are specific to men. Early data show that probiotics can improve specific male health concerns such as sexual dysfunction and prostatitis, and may even be useful for the increased risk of heart disease faced by men as well as a variety of other conditions such as sleep, depression. and cognitive function. All probiotics products are not created equal, so it’s important to read labels and learn how to distinguish between good, mediocre, and even harmful products. Watch the video and learn more.
https://drruscio.com/best-probiotics-for-men/
My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/
If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://austinfm.com/
Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources