The Pattern Library

Picture this: you're invited to a Halloween party, or heck, maybe you're superhuman and you're hosting a Halloween party, and you want to...

In general, I don't love the low FODMAP diet. It's very restrictive, and I like to help people eat more foods, rather than restrict more foods. Especially with digestive distress, it can be all too common for food to become the enemy. But I know a lot of people get relief from the low FODMAP diet, so how can we make this more inclusive but still effective? Many people turn to the low FODMAP diet as a potential solution especially when experiencing persistent bloating and gas.

Spring Cleaning 2024 is just around the corner! It's not too late to join us - March 25th - April 4th. Take a sneak preview into one of...

Of all the digestive conditions, heartburn is definitely one of the most firey. It's caused by stomach acid back-flowing into the esophagus, called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD. A little bit of reflux is normal at most meals, but a lot of reflux and at increased frequency can lead to discomfort and tissue damage. A common thought is that heartburn is caused by too much stomach acid. Brace Yourself... Usually it's the opposite! Not having enough stomach acid can make the m

Finding moments of self-care is so important in a world that often moves at a quick pace. Enter dry brushing, a simple yet profoundly...

Making fermented garlic in honey is a simple yet potent way to boost immune health and enhance the flavor of your meals. Garlic and honey both possess natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Consuming fermented garlic in honey may help combat infections and support the body's ability to ward off illnesses. Additionally, the fermentation process makes the mixture probiotic and great for gut health. Here's a basic recipe to get you started: Ingredients: Fresh garlic clo

Fascinating Research! A question I frequently encounter is: "Should I incorporate a probiotic into my routine?" Probiotics are beneficial...

Many individuals hold the belief that if a product or substance is labeled as "natural," it automatically guarantees safety. Unfortunately, that's not the case. "Natural" is an unregulated word in the FDA world, so it could mean just about anything. I carefully suggest a wide range of natural products and supplements to my patients, always with a specific purpose and utmost caution. It's important to approach these recommendations thoughtfully and with care. Even seemingly ha

Before we dive in, here's an anatomy check on what's inside the abdomen. After the stomach - where food is churned - food enters the...

I should really say the "The Quick & Clean". Never the less, here's the skinny on the Migrating Motor Complex. In our office visits,...

I hate to break it to you, but aspartame and other non-caloric sweeteners affect your health, and not in a good way. In addition to being known carcinogens (known to cause cancer), many zero-calorie sweeteners can cause disease and inflammation through the gut. Years ago, researchers found that zero-calorie sweeteners had an adverse effect on the gut microbiome in mice. But what about now? 120 healthy adults were included in a randomized controlled trial, published by the jou

Did you know that the bacteria in your gut can migrate across the intestinal barrier, activate immune cells, and cause inflammation throughout your body? Studies indicate that it is indeed true, however here's what you should know... Until now, we have been unable to determine which gut microbes breach the intestinal barrier or are most associated with inflammatory disease. Scientists from Cedars-Sinai and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease have discover

Research update! Be forewarned that this article is dense! Long story short is that nerve cells in our gut that experience pain may be...

Did you know that couples have more similar microbiomes than siblings?? After months and even years in a close relationship, people start...

It's almost here! This online course launches November 1st, & I want you to have a first dibs discount! We'll dive into all of the facets of the gut-brain axis, including : - The science behind the Gut-Brain Connection - An in-depth look at the Nervous System - Mindful Eating - The Microbiome & How to Create More Microbiome Diversity - Meditation Techniques for Digestive Health Be sure to subscribe below to get your $50 off discount code in your inbox on November 1st Take a

You’ve heard of the terms “anxious belly”, “butterflies in your stomach”, or “a gut feeling”? These are more than just phrases! There is science to back them up! This October, I'll be leading a workshop where we’ll explore the intersection between mind & body, specifically how this relates to gut health & emotions. We have learned a lot about the brain-gut axis in the past decade. There is now more evidence that shows how the gut microbiome interacts with the brain. This supp

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Subkit in early June. We discussed what I do here at QC Natural Health, what it's...

What is Long COVID? Many people are still suffering from lingering and debilitating symptoms long after contracting Covid-19. This condition is known as long-covid. Long-covid is when symptoms linger after 4 weeks and persist for at least 12 weeks. Long-covid can affect multiple organs including the lungs, brain, heart, nose, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, joints, and skin. It can also cause psychological symptoms including anxiety, PTSD, and interfere wi

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) means that there's too much bacteria in the small intestine, which can cause - Bloating - Gas - Smelly gas - Nausea - Getting full fast - Constipation or Diarrhea (sometimes both!) There are a few key tips that point to SIBO as the culprit! Garlic and Onion are high FODMAP foods, which means they ferment easily in the small intestine, causing symptoms to get worse. Fiber is often thought to help constipation, but if fiber consisten

Hot Lemon Water is one of my favorite gentle detoxifiers. Here are 5 reasons why: . #1 Gently stimulates the liver and activates bile flow, so that your body can flush out toxins. . #2 Prevents constipation by stimulating the GI tract. Drink first thing in the morning for extra benefit. . #3 Alkaline effect on the body. Kind of confusing because lemons themselves are acidic, but lemon water support healthy pH in the body. . #4 Warm water promotes digestion and absorption, rat