Dr. Ruscio Radio: Health, Nutrition And Functional Medicine

In many cases, thyroid symptoms are the “smoke” and the “fire” is in the gut. In today’s episode, you’ll hear a case study of a patient who had low T3 along with digestive and hormonal symptoms like diarrhea, gas, rashes, and missing periods. After she received natural treatment for her gut health and hormonal health, she was symptom-free and became pregnant within six months. There was no need to treat her T3 directly. You’ll also get a breakdown of why a T4 plus T3 combo treatment should only be used in the minority of cases. https://drruscio.com/?p=35303 The Future of Functional Medicine Review, Clinical Newsletter is available at https://drruscio.com/review Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

We live in a stressful era. Could something as simple as changing your breathing help? The practice of breathwork can not only reduce your stress, it can also improve your memory, lower your body’s fear response, and make you more cognitively effective. There are many modes of breathwork. In this episode, Josh Trent takes us through the powerful benefits, and some simple steps that beginners can try right away. He also discusses the promise of more advanced methods. If you’ve tried meditation and couldn’t stop your brain, breathwork might be an easier practice for you to adopt. https://drruscio.com/?p=34035 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

A patient came to my office with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism by a “famous thyroid doctor” who had written books on the subject. When I checked her lab results, even by a conservative measure, they could not be considered hypothyroid. Yet the patient was put on medication, making her more ill. In this episode, learn more about these clinical case study details—that appeared in the January edition of the Future of Functional Medicine Clinicians Review—and how practitioners can avoid making this harmful mistake. Also, learn which markers can be false positives in two of the most popular functional medicine stool tests. https://drruscio.com/?p=35103 The Future of Functional Medicine Review, Clinical Newsletter is available at https://drruscio.com/review Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

The patients that Heidi Turner typically sees in her practice have done the basics of diet, probiotics, antimicrobials. They have often been through many doctors, elimination diets, supplements, and more, yet inflammatory symptoms persist and are resistant to treatment. They often have some degree of histamine intolerance or mast cell activation. For this highly sensitive population, managing symptoms alone is a challenge. But recently, many of Heidi’s patients have seen significant healing results from an unexpected natural therapy. In this episode, Heidi shares her experience treating this unique group of patients, and explains why targeting the limbic system has been effective. https://drruscio.com/?p=34863 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Unnecessary thyroid medication can be dangerous for a patient, even generating symptoms. Unfortunately, with overdiagnosis of hypothyroidism on the rise, more and more patients are being prescribed medications they don’t need. Hear a case study from a functional medicine clinician who was able to determine—through an evidence-based approach—that a chronically ill patient was not hypothyroid, getting her off unnecessary medication and feeling better. He also found that dysbiosis in her gut was the source of many of her issues. Also in this episode, learn systematic methods to get to the root of your patients’ histamine intolerance. https://drruscio.com/?p=35063 The Future of Functional Medicine Review, Clinical Newsletter is available at https://drruscio.com/review Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Could lack of bioavailable copper be fueling your iron issues? That’s Morley Robbins’ take, based on 10 years of self-study in mineral research. You’ll learn why iron supplementation may not be a quick fix and get a protocol to optimize your copper levels. We have a reasoned dialogue on what the research may imply and where further study is still needed. Morley also shares results he’s seen with those who have used his protocol. (Tip: favoring whole, nutrient-dense foods—like organ meats and oysters—is one safe way to start getting your health on the right track.) https://drruscio.com/?p=34861 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

In a study of 291 patients in Greece, researchers found that around 60% were incorrectly diagnosed as hypothyroid. While true hypothyroidism does exist, it’s a diagnosis that clinicians need to take a closer look at. Many clinicians are prescribing thyroid hormone when it’s not necessary, or when a patient’s symptoms could be resolved by healing the gut. The effects can be harmful, both to patient health and to their wallets. Patients themselves may exacerbate the problem by requesting it based on something they’ve read. Hear case studies from two functional medicine doctors who are modeling an evidence-based, cost-effective approach to curb some of these issues commonly seen in treating the thyroid. https://drruscio.com/?p=34033 The Future of Functional Medicine Review, Clinical Newsletter is available at drruscio.com/review Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

A case study that appeared in the June 2019 issue of the Future of Functional Medicine Review Clinical Newsletter showcases the strong link between the thyroid and the gut. It’s critical that clinicians recognize this link to treat thyroid issues effectively, and review data on the true likelihood of various scenarios. In this podcast, hear clinical pearls from the case study. And learn how you can get access to a thyroid treatment algorithm and many more insights that have led other clinicians to outstanding patient results. https://drruscio.com/?p=34856 The Future of Functional Medicine Review, Clinical Newsletter is available at drruscio.com/review Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Many gut interventions focus on the health of the microbiota, like diet, probiotics, and antimicrobials. But fewer treatments address the immune system directly. Influences can go both ways between the immune system and the microbiota. In this episode, Dr. Ty Vincent, MD shares his insights on working with a therapy called low-dose immunotherapy. It uses very low dilutions of antigens to calm specific intolerances, allergies, and sensitivities. He’s seen that sometimes healing an intolerance like yeast can restore a gut to balance. If you’ve tried many gut therapies and are still not feeling well, this intervention may be worth considering. https://drruscio.com/?p=32920 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Treating your genes is a relatively new concept. And it can be tempting to think you can change the course of your health by simply discovering and addressing a dysfunction in one particular gene, say, MTHFR, COMT, or DAO. In this episode, Dr. Ben Lynch, a naturopathic physician with expertise in genetic health, walks us through why that isn’t the case, and why returning to the fundamentals is critical to optimizing your genes “upstream.” https://drruscio.com/?p=34859 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Everyone’s cancer risk is different based on unique medical histories, genetics, and environmental exposures. But our diet and lifestyle choices are important influences on cancer within our control, which optimize the body’s “terrain” to fight and/or prevent cancer. In this podcast, Dr. Nalini Chilkov shares her recommended cancer-fighting foods and supplements (which may vary depending on your risk factors), as well as lifestyle recommendations like sleep and exercise. https://drruscio.com/?p=33094 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

My recommended first line of treatment for IBS and SIBO is a change in diet, potentially followed by probiotics, and then other steps I discuss in my gut health protocol in my book Healthy Gut, Healthy You. But what if you’ve followed these steps and are still facing health challenges? A new option to consider is immunoglobulins, which can help to restore the mucous membrane in your gut and support your immune system. In the latest research, about 70% of non-responsive patients were helped by taking a supplemental form of immunoglobulins! You’ll have the greatest likelihood of success if you use a research-backed formula, like Intestinal Support Formula. In this video, learn more about the research, other patients’ experiences, and if it’s right for you. https://drruscio.com/?p=32914 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

There is a third type of SIBO (besides hydrogen and methane-based SIBO) that currently does not have a test available: hydrogen sulfide SIBO. In fact, it can sometimes look like a flat line on a lactulose or glucose SIBO test. What can patients and clinicians do with the resources available? Guests Dr. Allison Siebecker, Gary Stapleton, and I discuss the testing methods available to assess and validate your likelihood of hydrogen sulfide SIBO, and their experiences in the clinic and in the lab, respectively. You’ll also learn some treatments that have shown promise. https://drruscio.com/?p=32910 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

More and more research is revealing the strong link between brain and gut health. A recent systematic review pulls together evidence that regulating gut microbiota can improve anxiety. 56% of the studies in the review showed that healing the gut through diet (typically the low FODMAP diet) or probiotics led to an improvement in anxiety symptoms. If you’re looking for natural ways to address your anxiety, learn some simple steps you can take right away. https://drruscio.com/?p=32906 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (or HPA axis) is a complex subsystem in your body that organizes and responds to threats (and perceived threats). The concept of “adrenal fatigue” has become popular in some functional medical circles, but it’s a misleading term for describing what’s really happening in stress-induced change to the HPA axis, which does not involve the adrenal glands. Dr. Tom Guilliams, an expert on stress and the HPA axis, discusses adrenal fatigue and adrenal testing, including the limits of the four-point salivary cortisol test and the DUTCH test. Adaptogenic herbs can be helpful, but the most high-impact actions for your health may still be addressing intense stressors. Learn the four root causes of stress to your HPA axis in this episode. https://drruscio.com/?p=32572 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

One theory of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is that it’s caused by bacteria in the colon moving up. A new study on one section of the small intestine, the jejunum, challenges that concept. The study—which used a new technique called polymerized chain reaction (PCR) to look at bacterial genomes—found that the jejunum has its own unique microbiota. Positive breath tests also did not correlate with bacterial overgrowth in the jejunum, but rather jejunal dysfunction. Dr. Richard McCallum, gastroenterologist and researcher on the study, explains more about these findings and what they might mean for SIBO treatment. We also discuss how proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), breath tests, diet, prokinetics, and hypochlorhydria fit into this picture. Join us for a very insightful conversation! https://drruscio.com/?p=32517 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Cannabis marketing is now rampant. It can be challenging to separate the facts from the hype, especially when it comes to cannabis health benefits and research behind the claims. What’s the difference in results from CBD vs THC (or both)? Indica vs sativa? Is full-spectrum CBD better? Which terpenes are most anti-inflammatory? How do you get started if you want to try cannabis for your gut? We explore such questions and their sometimes surprising answers with medicinal plant specialist, clinician, and consultant Dr. Kevin Spelman. https://drruscio.com/?p=32425 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Even doctors can appreciate having a comprehensive gut health guide at hand. Dr. Navaz Habib finds Healthy Gut, Healthy You an indispensable go-to resource in his practice. The book’s case studies provide him with valuable reference points to manage challenging patient cases, and powerful, systematic tips on often overlooked foundations of gut health. https://drruscio.com/?p=32427 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Social science has discussed the impact of social relationships on mortality for decades. But this concept only recently started to penetrate healthcare. Dr. Julian Abel discusses his U.K.-based study showing a significant drop in demand for emergency services from end-of-life patients if they received an intervention of a compassionate community. Another large study shows that connection increases longevity more than quitting smoking. In this episode, we consider broader implications and ways to cultivate community, both personally and as a practitioner. https://drruscio.com/?p=32420 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

Eating healthy, sleeping well, having the right attitude, and exercising seem like obvious health habits. But what isn’t so obvious are ways people can sometimes ignore their intuition and signals from their bodies, in order to follow a protocol to the letter. Weight training may be a big win, especially for women, to build confidence and strength. And it’s also important to know why you’re making a change. Nutrition therapy consultant and author Steph Gaudreau shares insights on how to strengthen four key pillars of your holistic health picture, while listening to your own body’s feedback. https://drruscio.com/?p=32418 My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources