The Pattern Library

If you are interested in how the oral microbiome and bacteria travel throughout the body, this video explains the biological connection between your mouth, gut, and brain. We look at the mechanisms behind systemic inflammation and immune evasion. We analyze how environmental factors and specific lifestyle triggers can create breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, potentially affecting long-term cognitive health. By understanding the gut-brain axis, you can better grasp why ma

Did you know that the oral microbiome, specifically P. gingivalis bacteria may influence brain health and contribute to Alzheimer's disease risk? I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Iman Abdeshahian, a Dentist at Holistic Dental Wellness Center. Patients within QC Natural Health got to compile their questions for him, and he answered everything from fluoride to mouthwashes to mercury fillings. I want to share every detail with you! Here is transcript of our podcast to

You've heard a lot about probiotics—those beneficial bacteria that support digestive health. But what about pre biotics? Think of them as the food that feeds your good gut bacteria, helping them thrive and do their job effectively. What on Earth is a Prebiotic? Prebiotics are types of fiber that your body can't digest, but your gut bacteria can. They pass through your upper digestive tract (stomach and small intestines) without breaking down and arrive in your colon, the larg

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

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 often tell people that I'm a type A person that tries really hard to be type B. One of my friends says "I'm chill! I have a checklist to prove it!" I love this, and it makes me feel so seen! One of the things that has helped me be more lowercase b has been my daily meditation practice. And this all comes down to the Default Mode Network. The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a set of regions in the brain that organizes sensory perception and creates order. If you have too much

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

We still have a lot to learn about the microbiome, but one of the things we know for sure is that we diversity. ⁠ Probiotics are great for repopulating specific bacteria, but to ensure a diverse, robust microbiome, we can use Food as Medicine instead!⁠ As you're going through your week counting your 30 plants, here are some guidelines:⁠ 1. Only count the plant foods (no dairy, eggs, honey, or any meats).⁠ ⁠ 2. Spices and supplements totally count as bonus points for the micr