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

Health nutrition and functional healthcare; practical, evidenced-based and cost-effective information for optimum digestive, thyroid, immune and hormonal health. Dr Michael Ruscio, DC shares the most effective and efficient techniques for using diet, nutrition and functional healthcare to improve digestive, thyroid, immune, hormonal and overall health.
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Dr. Ruscio Radio, DC: Health, Nutrition and Functional Healthcare
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Now displaying: 2019
Jul 3, 2019

A GI functional marker test, or test of gut function, can be very useful to detect some gut conditions. It can help diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), predict pancreatic insufficiency (or need for digestive enzymes), and potentially detect leaky gut. However, patients should beware of paying attention to markers like secretory IgA, fecal lysozyme, chymotrypsin and beta-glucuronidase that are problematic or unvalidated. Also—because lab testing processes vary and markers can be difficult to filter even for clinicians—it’s important that patients work with an experienced clinician in order to properly interpret their results. https://drruscio.com/?p=31764

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jul 1, 2019

Leaky gut syndrome—also known as increased intestinal permeability—is a state in which the intestinal lining becomes damaged. This allows toxins, bacteria, and foreign particles to leak into the bloodstream. Robust research shows links between leaky gut (and other gut issues) and brain-based issues like cognition and mood. For example, intestinal infection was associated with later onset of anxiety. In other research, elevated zonulin (a marker of leaky gut) was correlated with higher psychological distress and social impairment. Evidence also shows that probiotics and gut-supporting nutrients can help heal these issues. Learn more about what steps to take below. https://drruscio.com/?p=31762

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 26, 2019

Neuroscience research has revealed and continues to show the wide-ranging health benefits of meditation. These benefits range from lower inflammation in the body to emotional resilience to increased compassion. A small investment of time daily, just 10-20 minutes, can yield many returns on effectiveness in multiple areas of one’s life. But it can sometimes be challenging for beginners to figure out what to do or what the process even looks like. Researcher and meditation teacher Ashok Gupta shares his recommendations for getting started, by becoming an observer of your thoughts and feelings. https://drruscio.com/?p=31643

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 24, 2019

Medicinal cannabis has been studied and administered for health benefits like chronic pain reduction and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Compelling—while currently more limited—evidence shows that a small, controlled dose of cannabis can also improve sexual function in the four main domains: libido, arousal, orgasm, and bonding. The optimal medium to use is cannabis flower (to avoid harmful byproducts and have predictable effects) with a vaporizer that has proper temperature regulation and dose control. It’s also important to wait about 10-15 minutes between each inhalation because effects are delayed. Just one or two puffs has impact for most at the recommended dose, and more can be counterproductive. See more details in Dr. Jordan Tishler’s protocol below. https://drruscio.com/?p=31641

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 19, 2019

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is an inflammatory response in the body that may affect multiple systems—like digestive, respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal, pulmonary—and is generally brought on by environmental exposure or infection. The most common trigger for CIRS is mold and mycotoxins from buildings with water damage. If you see health changes after a water leak, moving to a new residence (or office), or even after a brief exposure like a hotel stay, consider mold and CIRS a possibility. Tick-borne illnesses can also impact CIRS. The ERMI test may be useful to detect mold in your home. Some CIRS sufferers may be able to resolve their symptoms after a supplement protocol and ending exposure to the triggering toxins. Others may need to try further measures such as limbic system retraining. https://drruscio.com/?p=31402

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 17, 2019

A large, 20-year study of farmers shows associations between exposure to certain pesticides and herbicides and an increased risk of hypothyroidism. Many of these chemicals are still in use. Note that the study measured occupational use, or very high exposure. Another study which measured pesticide levels in the blood—after participants ate organic versus conventional food—showed higher levels of pesticides in the blood of those who ate conventional food. Eating organic food whenever possible may help to moderate risk to your thyroid from pesticides and herbicides. https://drruscio.com/?p=31400

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 12, 2019

Today we will cover listener questions, including: Elemental Heal for Ulcers; Inulin Intolerance; Keto Diet and Thyroid; H. Pylori False Positives; Red Light Therapy for The Gut; Biofilms and the Elemental Diet. https://drruscio.com/?p=31375

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 10, 2019

In this episode Julie and I discuss diet protocols and a cascade approach that often helps practitioners and patients identify the best possible diet for healing. The protocols we discuss, like starting with a gluten/dairy/soy free diet and cascading to other diets like low histamine, low FODMAP, low salicylate diet and low oxalate diet are not limited to Autism treatment, this approach can be used for many different chronic diseases. https://drruscio.com/?p=31373

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 5, 2019

Sometimes, looking at difficult health issues holistically and asking good questions can uncover surprising paths to wellness. Jason Prall of the Human Longevity Project docu-series focused his career on lifestyle medicine after working to help many patients with complex issues. In additional to health practices like exercise and sun exposure, he has also seen powerful healing effects from psychedelics on the nervous system, both personally and in others. One high-impact activity you can incorporate right away is a daily 30-45 minute morning walk outside, which will set your circadian rhythm, lower your blood sugar, help regulate your thyroid hormones, and more. https://drruscio.com/?p=31078

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Jun 3, 2019

The cost of care, especially in the realm of functional medicine, can be an unknown for a suffering layperson. It may feel to weary patients like their only option is to sign away many thousands of dollars. Julie’s story shows that this does not need to be the case. After her general practitioner was not able to treat her myriad symptoms—including brain fog, fatigue, female hormone issues, bloating, and loose stools—Julie turned to functional medicine. The first functional medicine doctor she turned to quoted her an unreasonably expensive and lengthy package. Fortunately, she looked for a second opinion and found that our clinic, and Dr. Ruscio, a functional medicine expert in gut health, were able to get to the root of her issues quickly and cost-effectively. She was symptom-free within five visits. https://drruscio.com/?p=31076

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

May 29, 2019

Our society provides more stimulus and entertainment than ever before, from streaming video to mobile devices. Parents are often discouraged from letting their children wander off or attempt things unsupervised. And most people think of boredom as a negative feeling to be avoided. But could there be a value to boredom? Dr. Mark Hawkins, a high school counselor, thinks so. Cultivating a practice of boredom, or leaving space to do nothing, can lead to facing and resolving one’s negative feelings, reflecting upon knowledge, creative problem-solving, and more. In today’s society, one needs to more deliberately pursue boredom in the face of so much stimulus. https://drruscio.com/?p=30983

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

May 27, 2019

If you are still experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism despite taking a thyroid hormone, a recent study shows promise. The study showed that two-thirds of women with the above condition, who brought their ferritin levels (or functional iron in their blood) above 100, saw their persistent symptoms relieved. Consider testing your ferritin and supplementing it before adding on another medication. Interestingly, 100 is not a cutoff for healthy iron levels in most blood tests, so make sure to take a closer look. https://drruscio.com/?p=30981

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

May 22, 2019

Stoic philosophy is an ancient life philosophy, originating in Rome and Greece, that may help you face challenges more effectively and with greater tranquility. One technique involves briefly visualizing the loss of someone or something precious, restoring gratitude for and awareness of that element of life. Another method is to review and analyze the surfacing of negative emotion to hopefully prevent it in the future. The practice of Stoic philosophy provides a balance to modern goals of material gain and status, and may contribute to increased well-being and resilience. https://drruscio.com/?p=30837

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

 

May 20, 2019

The influence of social relationships on health and happiness is a popular topic of research. A healthy marital relationship can yield numerous benefits, including better sleep and greater longevity. But marital stress can be detrimental to couples’ immune systems. Stress in a relationship (or even loss) can be buffered by other friendships, by gratitude, by time apart, and by setting realistic expectations. Commitment from your social connections can also bolster health. When considering your own health, don’t underrate the importance of your relationships. https://drruscio.com/?p=30835

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

May 15, 2019

Today we will cover listener questions, including: Magnesium while fasting; Is the elemental diet and fasting okay if you are underweight?; Probiotics; Is the inulin in the probiotic okay?; Noticing white tongue while on the elemental diet; Dosing for NAC; and more. https://drruscio.com/?p=30674

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

May 13, 2019

Three main types of symptoms typically occur in mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS): allergic, inflammatory, and growth abnormality symptoms, which can affect different organs in the body. Lyme disease, Bartonella, and other tick-borne (and insect/animal-transmitted) illnesses can influence, trigger, or mimic the symptoms of MCAS. It’s important to consider that these conditions may or may not overlap. Lab testing can help identify inflammation markers or specific infections. Treatments, from herbal to antibiotic, vary based on individual need. A person with MCAS may need to introduce one variable at a time in treatment, as they can be highly reactive. Paying attention to diet can also be a foundational step to moderate one’s condition. https://drruscio.com/?p=30672

My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/

Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

May 8, 2019

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

May 6, 2019

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

May 1, 2019

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

Apr 29, 2019

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

Apr 24, 2019

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

Apr 22, 2019

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

Apr 17, 2019

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

Apr 15, 2019

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

Apr 10, 2019

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

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