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Knowledge is power...
How to Use Scalp Massage For Hair Growth

Imagine boosting your hair with just a five-minute daily scalp massage for hair growth. A simple yet potent technique that's been gaining recognition for its impressive results in promoting healthier, fuller hair. Scalp massages aren't just about relaxation; they can help hair growth and thinning hair. By stimulating oxygen supply to your hair follicles, these […]

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The Ultimate Guide to Chemicals in Hair Products

Have you ever given a thought to what's inside that bottle of your favorite hair product? It's easy to be swayed by the promise of lustrous locks and a dandruff-free scalp, but at what cost? The truth is, there are many chemicals in hair products that make your hair look good temporarily could be causing […]

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Unveiling the Secret: The Link Between Hair Loss and Gut Health

Have you ever considered the connection between hair loss and gut health? It's a link that's often overlooked, but it's crucial to understand. Your gut is tied to nearly every function in your body, so when your gut health is off, it impacts everything - including your hair. Factors like nutrition absorption, inflammation, hormone control, […]

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Unraveling the Connection: Hair Loss and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Ever found yourself wondering why you're losing hair more than usual? Sure, there are plenty of reasons, from genetics to stress, but there's one lesser-known factor that might be playing a role - mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance. This will cover potential causes of MCAS, and how mast cell activation and histamine […]

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Unlocking Thyroid Secrets: Does Hypothyroidism Cause Hair Loss

If you're experiencing more hair loss than usual and have hypothyroidism, there's a likely connection between the two. Understanding how hypothyroidism can cause hair loss it is helpful to understand your thyroid gland. This guide aims to explore the reasons behind hair loss caused by thyroid issues and offers strategies for managing it. Understanding this […]

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Can Vaping Cause Hair Loss? Unveiling the Impact on Scalp Health

Can vaping cause hair loss - and be the culprit behind your thinning hair? It's a question that should be addressed. Vaping, a popular alternative to traditional smoking, is often touted for being less harmful, but its impact on hair health is rarely discussed. In this text, we'll jump into the connection between vaping and […]

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Overcoming Female Vitamin D Hair Loss: Essential Tips and Strategies

For many women, the culprit behind those thinning locks might be something as simple yet vital as vitamin D deficiency. In this text, we'll dive into how a lack of this essential nutrient can lead to hair loss and what you can do to manage female vitamin D hair loss. Key Takeaways Understanding Female Vitamin […]

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Unlocking the Secrets to Natural Hair Growth with Functional Nutrition

Here's a podcast interview and summary I did on natural hair growth The Journey to Natural Hair Growth Julie Olson's mission to combat hair loss naturally, stems from her own personal experience and a decade of expertise in functional nutrition. Recognizing hair loss as a common but distressing issue, especially among women, Olson has dedicated […]

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Does Menopause Cause Hair Loss? Surprising Facts

Let's dive in the question 'does menopause cause hair loss?', exploring these changes and offering ideas on how to manage them - provide insights and solutions for those noticing their hair isn't as thick or lush as before, due to the hormonal shifts experienced during menopause. Key Takeaways What is Menopause? Menopause marks a significant […]

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Healthy Hash...for any meal

Recipe Ingredients: Directions: ***NOTE: Benefits of Collagen, as in bone broth, is associated with several health benefits because it helps make up proteins such as keratin that form hair, skin and nails. It may also increase muscle mass, prevent bone loss, relieve joint pain, and improve gut health.

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Savory Bruschetta

Recipe Ingredients: ●      1 Baguette (Highly recommend gluten-free) ●      1 cup finely chopped tomatoes ●      ½ cup finely chopped onions ●      ¼ tsp olive oil ●      Ground salt ●      Ground pepper ●      ¼ tsp Zesty Garlic PLUCK seasoning ●      1 tbsp chopped basil  ●      Dijon mustard ●      Optional: goat cheese; micro greens - such as broccoli sprouts as in photo Directions

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Debunking Myths: Can Masturbation Cause Hair Loss Explained

Ever stumbled upon the bizarre question can masturbation cause hair loss and wondered if there's any truth behind it? You're not alone. This topic, shrouded in myths and misconceptions, often leaves many scratching their heads in confusion. In this text, we'll dive deep into the facts, debunking myths and shining a light on what science […]

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Can Stress Cause Hair Loss? Unveiling the Surprising Impact and Proven Solutions

Ever found yourself asking, "Can stress cause hair loss?" You're not alone. It's a question that's crossed many minds, especially during times of high stress. Stress can wreak havoc on your body in unexpected ways, and yes, that includes your hair. Key Takeaways Can Stress Cause Hair Loss You may have noticed more strands of […]

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21 Surprising Causes Hair Loss

Discovering clumps of hair in your shower drain or on your pillow can be an unsettling experience. Hair loss, or alopecia, isn't just an issue that affects your scalp; it can impact your entire body. And while it's more prevalent among men, anyone can experience hair thinning or baldness. But what's really behind those stray […]

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Stop Hair Loss in Women: Tips & Tricks for Healthier Hair

Hair loss in women is a reality for millions of ladies, too. You might notice thinning strands, a widening part, or even patchy spots. It's a sensitive topic, often shrouded in silence, but you're not alone—over 50% of women will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime. Understanding the why behind hair loss […]

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Can Covid Cause Hair Loss? Fact or Fiction?

Experiencing hair loss can be alarming, and you might be wondering if your recent bout with COVID-19 could be the culprit. It's not just you—studies have linked post-COVID recovery with a noticeable increase in hair shedding. This condition usually appears months after fighting off the virus, which has both men and women searching for answers. […]

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Can Diabetes Cause Hair Loss? Tips for Healthy Hair Management

The answer to the question "Can diabetes cause hair loss?" is yes there's a connection. Hair loss is one of the lesser-known symptoms that can arise in individuals with diabetes. It's not just about high blood sugar levels; the link between diabetes and hair loss is multifaceted, involving aspects like hormonal imbalances and poor circulation. […]

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Low Protein and Hair Loss: The Key Nutrient for Healthy Hair

While several factors can contribute to hair thinning - food choices and dietary habits play a large role in maintaining hair health. Among those there's a connection between low protein and hair loss. Explore the crucial connection between low protein levels and hair loss in this guide, emphasizing the pivotal role of sufficient protein intake […]

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4 Amazing Benefits of Organic Olive Oil for Hair

Nourishing from the Inside-Out Organic olive oil is known for its numerous health benefits, and it has been a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and skincare for centuries. Not only is it beneficial for the skin and body, but it can also benefit hair health when consumed or applied topically. In this article, we will explore […]

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"Psychological Struggles of Hair Loss" 

Hair loss can be an emotionally charged topic, especially for women…I know because I was one of them. Many people may not fully understand why hair loss is such a sensitive topic, but it is important to recognize that it can be just as emotional as discussing religion, family, or politics. We will explore the […]

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Parasites are Nutritional Pirates

You can put them in their place! When parasites invade your body, they can cause some serious diseases from malnutrition to digestive disorders and beyond. Their survival plan involves hiding out in small crevices and stealing valuable nutrients from you in an effort to stay alive.  Parasites will go to great lengths not to be […]

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12 Myths of Hair Loss

Myth 1: Mostly Men Experience Hair Loss Fact: While hair loss, especially complete balding, is mostly associated with men, female hair loss is on the rise. According to the American Hair Loss Association, 40% of women deal with hair loss and the Cleveland Clinic claims 50% of women experience major hair loss by age 70. […]

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When Hair Loss Happens, a Functional Nutritionist is Your Best Friend (Not a Dermatologist)

I’ve seen patients make this mistake hundreds of times. When hair loss strikes, they run to the dermatologist hoping they will help them regrow their hair with special serums, injections, or other regenerative procedures.  I do NOT advise this.   The problem with conventional dermatology is that it ignores the root cause of why your hair […]

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Let's Comb Through the History of Hair Loss

Sit down. I want to tell you something. A projected 2.8 billion people will lose their hair according to the Global Alopecia Market in 2016 - 2026. Count them all. 2.8 BILLION—that’s a lot of unhappy heads. Is hair thinning the next global pandemic?  We’ll see. Let’s comb through the history of hair loss and […]

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The Forgotten Organ... Scalp-Hair-Follicles

Maybe you are wondering what nutrition has to do with hair thinning and hormones. LOTS, TONS!! Let’s start with the unknown fact that Scalp-Hair-Follicles are the Forgotten Organ. There are many reasons why this is important, but I’ll summarize the top 3… Scalp-Hair-Follicles: All of which require adequate nutrient consumption and ABSORPTION. And when this […]

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Health Coaches: the Helping Hand in Your Wellness Upgrade

By Holly Parker NB-HWC, FMCHC, MFA Health Coaching is a term that’s heard often now as this budding field gains popularity with growing evidence about the value coaches deliver to people wanting control over their health. Health practitioners of every ilk are recruiting these behavior change experts to their teams in order to guide patients […]

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The Untold Cause of Hair Loss

By Mihaela Gruita, PharmD, CFMP If you have been struggling with hair loss, you are not alone. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 40% of women experience hair loss by the time they turn 50. In fact, in the United States alone, more than 30 million women are struggling with […]

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Going Gluten Free: What? Who? Why? How?

Not so many years ago, the gluten-free lifestyle was reserved for an obscure cluster of people who were forced to settle for wannabe foods that resembled sawdust but didn’t taste as good. I know because I was one of them. I have been gluten-free since 2005. But, today I have lots of company. The gluten-free […]

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Toxins: Where They Come From & How They Affect Your Health?

Toxicity is a Major Problem In this day and age, it’s impossible to keep harmful toxins out of your body since they are virtually everywhere, largely due to industrialization. To make matters worse, you may have a poor diet that significantly lacks the nutritional value to fuel your body’s detoxifying capacity. All of these factors […]

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Fatigue: Main Causes & Nutrients Needed to Overcome It

Do you feel tired, even when you’ve got plenty of sleep the night before? Does your mind feel “foggy” all day long, no matter how many cups of coffee you have? Do simple tasks overwhelm you because you lack the energy and focus to get started? You are not alone! Fatigue is increasingly common in our modern […]

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Can You Really Eat Yourself Out of Diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. Normally, the insulin hormone moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. But with diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or it can’t effectively utilize the insulin it produces. Types Of Diabetes Symptoms The general symptoms […]

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The Secret Ingredient That Could Be Damaging Your Health

Learn About a Common Ingredient that Could be Damaging your Health While there are a variety of food additives that are detrimental to health, there’s one, in particular, that is well known to damage the gut microbiome, and that ingredient is called emulsifiers.   Emulsifiers are chemicals that are added to processed foods to stabilize […]

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How Does Gut Health Affect Sleep?

Gut health affects your body's ability to fall asleep and stay asleep Tryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino acid, which means that it must be included in the diet because the body cannot produce it. Tryptophan is used by gut bacteria to manufacture several important metabolites, including serotonin.  Serotonin is essential for sleep and a […]

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Why Gluten Wasn't an Issue 50 Years Ago

Are People Overreacting to Gluten? Is it Just a Fad? NO, gluten sensitivity is REAL and will continue to rise among our current population. Here are some reasons why: Many of my clients suffered from a host of annoying symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, anxiety, constant bloating, brain fog, constipation or diarrhea, acne, and more. […]

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A Personal Story Behind the Practice Name "Fortitude Functional Nutrition"

Not only do I think the definition of the word “fortitude” is amazing, it has a personal message and story behind it that goes much deeper for me... It has to do with my dear close friend, Joni Soule. We met at Natural Grocers, where we were both employed as Nutritionists, and quickly became the […]

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What Does It Mean to Eat TRULY Gluten-Free?

The traditional gluten-free diet is the most commonly consumed. Unfortunately, this diet is merely switching gluten-containing packaged, processed products for gluten-free packaged processed foods which are still unhealthy. Many over-the-counter packaged foods contain cross-contamination of gluten. Also, many “gluten-free” products contain other types of grain-based glutens that have not been adequately studied to be safe […]

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What Are the Differences Between Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease?

Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are not the same thing. However, with both it is recommended and important to avoid gluten consumption 100%. Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease have been shown to cause malabsorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Both have been linked to over 200 medical conditions. Gluten can cause leaky gut syndrome […]

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4 Easy Ways to Improve Your Health While Saving Money

1) Start saving money with grocery store shopping. Shop the perimeters of the store where you will find delicious whole foods. This way you can ditch the processed, addictive foods that cost more. Don’t shop when you are hungry. Know what produce you can buy organic or not. Refer to the “Dirty Dozen” to learn […]

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Social Isolation and Loneliness are as Unhealthy as Smoking 15 Cigarettes a Day, Alcoholism or Obesity

Being connected with others may be much more important than you thought… “Loneliness and social isolation are just as much a threat to longevity as obesity, smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic” as documented in a study done by Brigham Young University  “Relationships are — not surprisingly — enormously important for health, […]

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Quick Stress Tips

Have you ever experienced: Feeling overwhelmed? Scattered? Pulled in 100+ different directions? Your mind in overdrive? Afraid of saying no because you don’t want to disappoint? You can’t turn off your mind turning round-and-round — even to sleep? Read More... (Note this will take you to another site, hit your back button to return to […]

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Tackling Your Toxins

No doubt, today’s world is full of dangerous toxins. They are in the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, and the products you use. Scientists estimate that the average adult has about 700 contaminants in their body at any given point. Rising rates of chronic diseases and other ailments have […]

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Benefits of Melatonin Are More Than a Good Night’s Sleep!

Do you often find yourself overtired, but too wired to get a good, restful night’s sleep? In our electronically overstimulated and illuminated world, it’s not uncommon. Many factors can contribute to sleeplessness, but a lack of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep patterns, is often the culprit. Melatonin is often called the "Dracula of […]

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Hydrate for Health

Up to 60 percent of the human body is water: the brain is composed of 70 percent water; the lungs are nearly 90 percent water; and about 83 percent of our blood is water. In other words, we are aqueous beings. Water is in every cell and tissue. Biological processes like circulation, digestion, absorption, and […]

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Death of an Icon

I thought I'd post this for those of you who were having a crumbling day... Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a candida yeast infection, Ulcerative Colitis, and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in […]

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DIM for Healthy Hormone Balance

Hormones can be a woman’s best friend… or they can be her worst enemy. When they are balanced, hormones work together to promote health and harmony in our bodies, driving a number of important biological functions and processes. But a hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc on physical wellbeing. Fortunately, there are tools available to help […]

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Beat the Seasonal Allergy Blues with Broccoli Sprouts

No one wants to suffer through the spring allergy season feeling miserable with a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes… or the headaches, fatigue, and sleep troubles that come with allergies. And you don’t have to rely on those commonly used OTC allergy medications that make you feel groggy and drowsy. A recent study has […]

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Bilberries Are Berry Beneficial to Vascular Health

The vascular system, also known as the circulatory system, is made up of the vessels that carry blood and lymph through the body from the brain down to the toes, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs and removing waste products. In addition to circulating blood and lymph through the body, the vascular system […]

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What is Bio-Individuality and How Does it Affect Your Health?

Within the health-o-sphere, there are endless diets, thousands of self-help books, cult-like workout routines, and a smorgasbord of pills and potions with extravagant claims. Do you eat vegetarian or paleo? Cardio workouts or powerlifting? Protein powders or whole foods? How do you decide who to listen to? The answer ultimately is to listen to yourself. […]

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Behind The Label: Boost Nutrition Label Literacy

by Julie Olson  Nutrition facts labels are meant to be easily read, but can be confusing, misleading and even inaccurate. “The American consumer is at a disadvantage when it comes to reading food labels, namely because we don’t speak metric. Our food labels are in grams, but our kitchen language is in teaspoons,” says Kimberly […]

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Listen to Your Gut; It’s Your Second Brain

Gut flora, gut microbiota, or gastrointestinal microbiota is the complex community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts of all vertebrates. The gut microbiota has the largest numbers of bacteria. This microbiome also contains the greatest number of species compared to other areas of the body. An associated term, sometimes used interchangeably with gut […]

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The Link between Hormones and Happiness

Hormones… they certainly don’t get much respect at times. What do they have to do with happiness? Actually, hormones play a big role in our feelings and other factors. Learn what we can do to capitalize on them. How Hormones Work Hormones are special chemical messengers that control most of the body’s processes. The endocrine […]

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Why Your Microbiome Cannot Be Ignored

Called one of the top scientific discoveries of the 21st century, the human microbiome, cannot be ignored. It’s a game changer for better understanding disease and health. The microbiome is a crew of bacteria (also referred to as microorganisms) that live in and outside the human body. In fact, there are 100 trillion of these […]

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What Stress Does To Your Immune System

Stress is a normal part of modern daily life, but most people are not aware of the negative consequences of stress on their health—until it is too late. Some people are able to cope with stress better than others, while others take practical steps to reduce their stress each day to diminish its wear and […]

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Keto Diet 101: Everything You Need to Know About This Eating Plan

Many different versions of low-carb diets have come and gone over the past several decades, but one carb-restrictive diet that’s been around for generations and is garnering significant attention today is the ketogenic diet. Far from a fad diet, the keto diet has actually been practiced safely since the 1920s, when it was first used […]

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Paleo vs Keto: Similarities, Differences + Which Is Best For You

The Paleo diet and the Ketogenic diet have both gained extreme popularity in recent years for their acclaimed ability to promote weight loss, fat reduction, improved metabolism, and numerous other benefits. While there are a lot of overlapping similarities between the two, Paleo and Keto each have their own unique purpose that, at times, can […]

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Intermittent Fasting Rules

If you’re new to intermittent fasting, or thinking about giving it a try, here’s a quick list of the most fundamental rules you’ll need to follow and some mistakes you’ll need to avoid. Intermittent Fasting Basic Philosophy The use of short term fasting has shown to have a dramatic influence on specific hormones related to […]

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Intermittent Fasting Benefits: Changes the Brain and Body Within Only a Few Days

Before we can discuss intermittent fasting benefits, we must first know what intermittent fasting is. Intermittent Fasting (IF) is the self-imposed abstaining from food for a specified period, usually about 16 hours with a window of 8 hours to consume meals. Most commonly, this is achieved by skipping breakfast and having the first meal of […]

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Seasonal Allergies Link to Gut Health

What does gut health have to do with hay fever or seasonal allergies? Probably a lot more than you might think. Allergies and hay fever are an inappropriate defensive response to pollen and other substances. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, "Besides being associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease, […]

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What Is SIBO?

SIBO (pronounced SEE-bo)  stands for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. It is one of the causes of leaky gut, but the two vary quite a bit when it comes to treatment. The most common symptoms of SIBO are abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating/distention, diarrhea and/or constipation, and extreme burping and passing gas. It tends to be […]

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The Right Mental Attitude

You must develop the right mental attitude on your road to success. Without being overly simplistic, think of “The Little Train Who Could.” Instead of having an “I Can’t” attitude, replace it with an “I Can!” attitude. A positive outlook is necessary to see change coming, to be able to work with the change, and […]

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The Importance of Attitude

In his book, The Winning Attitude, John C. Maxwell noted author and speaker, explains attitude as: The “advance man” of our true selves. Has inward roots but outward fruits. Our best friend or worst enemy. More honest and more consistent than our words. An outward look based on past experiences. A thing that draws people […]

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Yes! Eating Gluten-Free Can Help with Weight Loss & Chronic Pain Management

Many people lose weight when they begin eating gluten-free. If you have gluten intolerance, you may lose weight because your body can process the food better, but you may also lose weight even without an intolerance. Along with weight-loss, eating gluten-free modulates silent inflammation in the body, which in turn should ease any pain you […]

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Inflammation and Your Immune System

The word inflammation comes from the Latin inflammare, to set on fire. In the context of our immune system - heat, redness, pain and swelling form as a reaction to either injury, or a perceived threat in the body. If you've ever accidentally cut your finger with a knife, the body responds with an "acute" […]

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Enzymes Rule

Your body is designed to digest and absorb the food you eat. Unfortunately, many people struggle with digestion even though our body creates enzymes for just this purpose. If you seem to get gas no matter you eat, you often suffer from heartburn, bloating or stomach discomfort, or if constipation is an issue for you, it […]

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