What is Leaky Gut?

Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition where the gut lining becomes permeable, allowing toxins, bacteria and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. This can lead to a range of health problems and symptoms, including bloating, gas, fatigue, skin issues, and food sensitivities. What Causes Leaky Gut? There are several…

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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition that occurs when there is an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to various gastrointestinal symptoms. Although it is a relatively common condition, it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to its nonspecific symptoms. In this blog, we will explore SIBO, its causes, symptoms,…

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Digestive Enzymes: The Key to Proper Digestion 

Digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down food into smaller, absorbable molecules. These enzymes play a crucial role in the digestive process, enabling our bodies to extract nutrients from the food we eat.  There are several types of digestive enzymes, each responsible for breaking down different components of food. For example, amylase breaks down…

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Functional Medicine & Inflammation

If the definition of functional medicine is a little ambiguous to you, you’re not alone. While certainly not a new medical discipline, the functional medicine method, gut inflammation and the role of nutrition, is still a bit obscure for many people.  What is Functional Medicine? Functional medicine seeks to find the root cause of a…

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Understanding Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health conditions that increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The syndrome is characterized by a combination of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, central obesity, high blood pressure, and abnormal lipid metabolism. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the…

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What is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the digestive system, specifically the colon. It occurs when small pouches or pockets, called diverticula, form in the lining of the colon and become infected or inflamed. In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diverticulitis. Causes of Diverticulitis: The exact cause of diverticulitis…

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Do You Have Inflammation

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Is Inflammation Impacting Your Health? by Erika Zink, NBC-HWC How do you know if inflammation is negatively affecting your health?   How do you know if inflammation is negatively affecting your health?     It’s important to mention not all inflammation is bad. In the case of acute illness or injury, such as a broken bone or viral infection, inflammation is a very important tool…

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Understanding Inflammation

What is inflammation? Our immune system’s response to protect against infection, disease or injury. In most circumstances this is a normal part of our immune health. During this complex process, the cells release chemicals to alert the immune system. In the short term, our body may be fighting off a cold or healing a wound…

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What is the HPA Axis? Part 2

This is the second installment of our two-part blog post on the HPA Axis. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is your stress response system. It’s that internal system that triggers the fight-or-flight response when you find yourself in a dangerous situation. How can you influence the HPA axis to your benefit? Prolonged activation of the HPA…

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What is the HPA Axis? Part 1

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is your stress response system. It’s that internal system that triggers the fight-or-flight response when you find yourself in a dangerous situation. For example, imagine you are hiking a trail on Badger Mountain when you suddenly hear that tell-tale sound of a rattlesnake. Your first response is to freeze and listen…

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