Dr. Ruscio Radio, DC: Health, Nutrition and Functional Healthcare

Today's podcast is another in a recurring series devoted to questions from listeners. We have a diverse batch of questions today. Listeners inquire about the potential relationship between diabetes and thyroid function, whether the COVID vaccine has a negative impact on gut health, whether POTS reactions and headaches are common symptoms of fasting, and more. There's something here for everyone. L...

The health of the pelvic floor is key to our overall health in important ways. My podcast guest today is pelvic health expert Jandra Mueller, and she explains how gastrointestinal issues such as IBS and SIBO, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, erectile dysfunction and trauma can all impact the health and tone of the pelvic floor, and how stigmas around normal bodily functions can present obstacles to...

Choosing the right kind of exercise is complicated by the number of exercise fads out there and the amount of time that you have to devote to any one method. In today's podcast, my guest, exercise expert Sal Di Stefano, makes the case for resistance training and why it's superior to cardio for helping people lose weight, build muscle mass and bone density, even improve growth hormone levels and st...

When it comes to keeping our brains healthy, one of the tools at our disposal is far from new. In fact, it has been around since the beginning of human history. The health benefits of fasting are well-established, and it turns out that the brain may benefit from the metabolic reset that fasting enables. Keto diets fall into this same category. A combination of the two may be able to help ward off...

If you're a woman with hormonal trouble, you're not alone. It's estimated that 80% of women will have some form of hormonal imbalance at some point in their lives. Hormonal imbalance in women can include garden variety women's health problems like PMS, to more serious conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or endometriosis. In this article, let's explore the symptoms of hormonal imbala...

Food sensitivity testing is one of the diagnostic tools most widely recommended by functional medicine practitioners to their patients, and it has blossomed into a lucrative industry that nets millions of dollars per year for companies that market these home testing kits to consumers. But the science behind these tests is flawed. In this podcast, I discuss how getting to the root of food reactions...

We speak frequently about the importance of an evidence-informed, gut-first approach for addressing chronic symptoms both inside and outside the GI tract. And the more research and clinical experience we compile, the more we find that a wide range of concerns can be improved by looking at them through the lens of gut health.  On this podcast, I summarize clinical reviews and case studies from the...

The Ruscio Institute uses an evidence-based clinical model as the foundation for our treatment protocols. This means not only incorporating the most current research into treatment decisions, but also applying a critical eye to research studies rather than accept their conclusions at face value. Today's podcast looks at studies on the possible role of autoimmunity in IBS and SIBO, whether antibody...

The Future of Functional Medicine Review was launched to provide clinicians with the resources and skills to help patients heal from challenging symptoms, and to help steer the field toward a more evidence-informed approach and away from excessive reliance on labs and supplements. On today's podcast, three clinicians join Dr. Ruscio to discuss their successes using the principles of the FFMR to tr...

Stress and its associated symptoms such as impaired sleep, depression, PTSD, and lowered cognitive performance are among the most pressing mental health issues of our time. Many turn to stimulants and other substances to help them cope.  A wearable technology developed by neuroscientists may hold answers. The Apollo Neuro, based on decades of research, uses touch therapy in the form of sound waves...

If you experience ongoing stomach discomfort such as burning sensations, heartburn, nausea, or peptic ulcers, or gastritis, chances are you may have a helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, infection. H. pylori infection is a risk factor for many health conditions and shouldn't be left untreated. Today's podcast gives you the rundown on H. pylori, a bacteria that can live in the stomach or digestive t...

Do you struggle with a thyroid disorder? Are you a clinician treating patients with hypothyroidism and struggling to get optimal results? In today's podcast, we showcase some of the most essential clinical pearls when it comes to treating thyroid disorders taken from a recent issue of the Future of Functional Medicine Clinical Newsletter. https://drruscio.com/how-to-successfully-treat-thyroid-diso...

Dr. Anna Cabeca, OB/GYN, Anti-Aging and Integrative Medicine expert believes in whole health, powerful immunity, and a great sex life at any age. In this podcast, Anna shares the tools that she developed through her investigations into balancing female hormones, improving brain health, and improving sexual health in and around menopause. Our wide ranging discussion in the podcast today touches on...

Keto diets have become very popular for weight loss, and many people swear by them for addressing a variety of health issues. However, there are pitfalls associated with being on these diets for extended periods of time. Sara Gottfried, MD, is an expert on women's hormonal health, and in this podcast she discusses the reasons why a keto diet can be stressful to adrenal balance, the gut microbiome,...

If you live with food intolerances, symptoms such as headaches, GI issues, brain fog, and fatigue may be a source of frustration. Food intolerances are often linked to underlying gut health or immune issues. They are often short term and can be addressed with diet and lifestyle adjustments. Learn about some of the most common food intolerances and what causes them, as well as tips to help you star...

The scientific understanding of COVID-19 is evolving rapidly, and the research now tells us that there is a link between gastrointestinal dysbiosis and the symptoms of long haul COVID. On today's podcast, I speak with Dr. Leonard Weinstock, a gastroenterologist and clinical researcher. We discuss his latest findings about long COVID, mast cell activation, and the relationship to gut health. For CO...

Probiotics are beneficial for everyone's gut and immune health, but they hold promise for helping with some conditions that are specific to men. Early data show that probiotics can improve specific male health concerns such as sexual dysfunction and prostatitis, and may even be useful for the increased risk of heart disease faced by men as well as a variety of other conditions such as sleep, depre...

We frequently see patients who have tried multiple different treatment combinations for hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but have not seen improvement in their symptoms. Often, this is because the underlying issue is actually not related to the thyroid, but to the gut. In today's short video, I'm going to break down one recent example of how treating an imbalance in the gut microbiome he...

The benefits of probiotics for gut health are well-established. But did you know that they're effective for a wide range of other conditions as well? Today's podcast is a review of recent research into probiotics, and the findings are exciting: new insights into the benefits of probiotics for health issues as diverse as skin conditions, cognitive impairment, depressive disorders, and prevention of...

In today's podcast, our medical director Dr. Joe Maher and I hold our first clinical roundtable to update our audience about new research and clinical updates. You'll learn about our clinical model and training program for new doctors and staff. We touch on treatment advances including: An abdominal massage protocol that is revolutionizing treatment of GI issues The effect of anti-microbial therap...

If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you may be among the 34% of patients who may be incorrectly diagnosed. Symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, depression and insomnia are often associated with hypothyroidism, but they may actually be related to other causes such as gut issues or female hormone imbalances. In today's podcast I discuss a new clinical review that investigates outcomes...

If you struggle with symptoms of brain fog such as difficulty concentrating, losing items, making basic decisions or thinking clearly, read this article about its root causes and treatment options. Brain fog is closely related to gut health and is often caused by brain inflammation. Addressing issues such as food sensitivity, gut imbalances, liver dysfunction and more can help improve symptoms and...

Mold toxicity and sensitivity from exposure to moldy food or "sick buildings" can cause chronic illness and be associated with a wide range of symptoms, from allergic reactions to respiratory problems to digestive issues and inflammation. But these symptoms can also be linked to other causes, such as a gut imbalance or thyroid disorder. Testing and treatment for mold-related illness should be appr...

If you struggle with fatigue, brain fog, or sleep apnea, or if you have a child who struggles with sleep disturbances or snoring, listen to this episode with Dr. Brian Hockel about oral airway health, sleep, breathing, and head posture.  For children, early problems with tongue, teeth and jaw positioning can impact physical, mental and emotional growth. But noticing early signs and taking steps to...

Hear about my personal journey through sleep medicine, and some of the unfortunate issues I encountered when I started investigating sleep optimization. I hope this serves as a helpful example of how quickly patients can be subjected to expensive testing, invasive treatments, and unnecessary fear when an evidence-based hierarchy isn't in place. In addition to my story, I'm sharing a number of tips...