Dentists treat patients' teeth.

Dental Probiotics: What Are They & How Do They Benefit Oral Health?

The human microbiome has become the center of many discussions related to health issues. This makes sense, considering that we are made up of more non-human microorganisms than human cells.1 And if we broaden our view of what the human body is, we quickly understand that we cannot exclude the trillions of microorganisms living in and on our bodies, including the ones that live in our mouths. Just like other microbiomes in the body, our oral microbiome consists of many different types of bacteria. For too long most dentists and clinicians have focused only on pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for oral diseases such as dental caries or periodontal disease, rather than looking at the oral microbiota in its entirety. But in recent years we have gained a better understanding of what types of bacteria live in the mouth and what role they play in their microbial community.

Epinutrients – The Secret Ingredient That Makes Food Your Medicine

Have you heard about epinutrients? Surprisingly, they’re barely mentioned in research papers and yet they are potent epigenetic regulators (i.e. they control how our genes are expressed). And I think it’s time to shine some light on these longevity superstars. But first, have you ever wondered why food has such powerful effects on our health…

Olive oil and olive branch

Beyond Extra Virgin—The Health Benefits of High Phenolic Olive Oil

Olive oil, known as “the great healer” of various ailments in Ancient Greece, has been used medicinally for centuries. Today, olive oil is known by health-conscious consumers and scientists alike to have medicinal properties ranging from heart health to cancer treatment. Yet when it comes to purchasing olive oil, the options seem endless – extra virgin, virgin, high-phenolic, early harvest, refined, premium, pure – leaving consumers perplexed. While taste may seem like an easy way to choose a condiment, this is not the most surefire way to choose a health supplement with proven results. In this article, we have gathered the most compelling, peer-reviewed and published scientific studies on olive oil’s health benefits to remove some of the guess work when choosing a healthy olive oil.

The Gut Microbiome: How our Dietary and Lifestyle Habits Impact Diversity and Resilience

by Olivia Moeller We often talk about the importance of a healthy microbiome, but what does that exactly look like? Our lead nutrition resident, Olivia Moeller, MS, CNS takes a deep dive into the literature to help us define just that. Going beyond definitions, Olivia explores dietary strategies to support gut resilience and diversity which are…

Paleo diet. Healthy high protein and low carbohydrate products

The American Epidemic of Micronutrient-Related Malnutrition

Research indicates that Americans are significantly deficient in many critical nutrients due to the Standard American Diet (SAD). The SAD diet is high in processed foods and empty calories, leading to a decline in essential nutrients. The lack of nutrient balance in our diets turns on our hunger hormones as a survival mechanism, forcing us to keep eating in an attempt to get more vitamins and minerals into our bodies. When we overeat empty calories, we become overfed and undernourished, leading to micronutrient-related malnutrition.

hands holding lectin-filled beans

Surprise! 5 Potential Benefits of Lectins

Have you wondered whether you should be avoiding lectins? Some consumer health sites caution about the potential negative effects of these natural food compounds, but (as often is the case) there is more to understand. In this article, you’ll learn about 5 potential benefits of lectins and how to decide whether you should be including…

bacteria shown in small intestine

SIBO – How to Avoid the Recovery Trap and Unlock Healing

Digestive complaints are common and can significantly impact quality of life. Not only that but they can also often be dismissed by conventional medical thinking or swept into the bucket of irritable bowel syndrome without much relief offered. In functional medicine, restoring gut health and balance is right at the core of what we do.…