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

In this episode, scientific proof comes to light about what works for a leaky gut repair. Leaky gut is when the tight junctions between the cells that line your small intestine loosen. This allows bacterial fragments and undigested food particles to enter your bloodstream, potentially causing an unwanted immune response.  When the immune response is heightened, there's a greater chance for chronic...

In this episode, I cover updates to gut research. These updates are grouped into two main categories: gut dysbiosis and immune system.  Gut health and immune health go hand-in-hand, so it may not be so shocking to hear how lowering gut inflammation can boost immunity. What exactly works to improve digestive symptoms and immune function? This episode features studies that reveal the power of diet a...

In this episode, Dr. Sunjya Schweig—an expert in complex chronic illnesses—speaks about the first responder health program he devised for the Berkeley Fire Department.  Exposure to extreme stressors leaves first responders prone to many health risks themselves. To date, the top two killers within this profession are cancer and suicide.  Recognizing the need to help first responders with their phys...

Weight loss is a perennial struggle for many people, and it's not because they haven't tried every approach available (including counting calories, restricting carbs, and increasing the amount of exercise they get). Today's podcast guest, obesity expert Dr. Barbara Corkey, explains that many people have difficulty losing weight due to factors that go beyond behavioral change. These include the cha...

In this episode, I share one proven and simple supplement for depression. Depression rates continue to climb, with one out of ten adults and one out of five children experiencing the condition.  To counteract depression, research reiterates the value of taking probiotics—a supplement widely used for digestive disorders. Having a healthy gut can help balance mood.  Listen in to discover why probiot...

In this episode, you'll learn from myself, Dr. Hannah Hamlin, and Dr. Scott Spiridigliozzi about Elemental Protein Bar—our clinic's protein bar that's gut friendly.  I developed the Elemental Protein Bar based on the success of our Elemental Heal meal replacement shake, which helps reduce gut inflammation and symptoms associated with IBS, SIBO, and other digestive disorders.  Compared to tradition...

In this episode, Kyle—a patient at our clinic—shares his gut healing story from beginning to end. When Kyle first came to the clinic, he was already putting in the work with another clinician to resolve his insomnia, upset stomach, diarrhea, vertigo, SIBO, and heart flutters.  In working with him, I was able to see he was missing basic gut support and needed to focus more on treating his symptoms...

In this episode, you'll learn the best way to take probiotics. Probiotics are a staple for many in their gut-healing journey—and for good reason. They have been shown to help improve digestive and non-digestive symptoms, ranging from diarrhea to brain fog.  While the benefits of probiotics are known, there remains uncertainty about how long to take them for, if they should be taken with or without...

In this episode, Dr. Lucy Mailing answers the question, "Does exercise impact gut health?" Inspired by her journey with chronic eczema, Dr. Mailing started looking into the gut-skin connection to improve her symptoms.  Seeing this connection spurred her research and career in gut health, the microbiome, and nutrition science.  When it comes to improving gut health, evidence shows exercise can help...

In this episode, I answer the question, "Is your thyroid diagnosis correct?" Surprisingly, this question is asked more commonly than you think. Even in the functional medicine sphere, thyroid issues are overdiagnosed and overtreated, often leading patients down the wrong treatment path.  Rather than being shoehorned into a thyroid diagnosis, it's important to look at the scientific evidence that e...

In this episode,  the spotlight is on Sally's successful gut healing story. While Sally tried a low histamine diet and other remedies on her own, she didn't find relief of her chronic GI and histamine-related symptoms until working with Dr. Hannah Hamlin from our clinic.  Taking note of Sally's symptoms, labs, medical history, and previous treatments she's tried, Dr. Hamlin devised a plan with two...

In this episode, I run through a series of high-quality studies that provide insight to: what is the best type of exercise for depression?  It's no secret that there are many ways that exercise benefits your physical health, from improving your heart health to reducing the risk of disease.  Knowing its power to improve physical health, it's worth hearing if it could be as effective or even more ef...

In this episode, I talk with Dr. David Jockers about what really works for healing leaky gut syndrome. When your gut is "leaky," symptoms from diarrhea to joint pain to brain fog can occur.  These symptoms point to a larger issue of an overreactive immune response, which can be calmed down with the right tools in place.  At the clinic, we follow the scientific evidence and listen to how our patien...

In this episode, I share how one of our patients, Amy, struggled to find success with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for symptoms of anxiety and depression and instead found relief with probiotics.  As she worked through these issues with our clinic's Dr. Scott, she was able to see the connections between her mood, hormones, and gut health. Amy's other symptoms were gas, bloating, loose stools,...

This episode covers updates in probiotic research related to children's health, oral health, and infections. By listening in, you'll get answers to the following questions: Does strain-specificity matter when using probiotics for kids? Do probiotics improve tolerance to infant formula? Do probiotics reduce the risk of infants developing allergies? Do probiotics improve GI symptoms in children? Do...

https://drruscio.com/coffee-and-gut-health My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook If you're in need of clinical support, please visit https://ruscioinstitute.com Looking for more? Check out https://drruscio.com/resources

For many people, coffee serves as a go-to energy source. Besides its ability to keep us awake through a long day, is coffee good for you? Listen in to learn how it can help with a wide range of disorders from diabetes to depression. https://www.drruscio.com/is-coffee-good-for-you My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook If you're in need of clinical support,...

Conventional and functional health practitioners both do things right and wrong when it comes to treating a sluggish thyroid. This episode offers the best data points from both sides, informing you on how to interpret thyroid lab values, determine if thyroid hormone is necessary, and find treatments that improve your symptoms. https://www.drruscio.com/identify-treat-sluggish-thyroid   My book Heal...

According to research, 37–61% of people may not need to be on thyroid medication. Listen in on the studies that show why medication isn't always the answer to support your thyroid and what can help instead. https://www.drruscio.com/thryoid-medication-may-not-be-needed   My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook If you're in need of clinical support, please vi...

Immersing yourself in a cold shower or an ice bath might sound crazy, but it's crazy effective, according to research. Hear what health ailments it has shown to benefit and how you can get started doing it yourself. https://www.drruscio.com/cold-exposure-backed-by-science My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgutbook If you're in need of clinical support, please...

When your gut is inflamed, similar to an injury, sometimes rest is the best solution. An elemental diet (short-term, exclusive consumption of a nutrient-dense meal replacement shake) gives your gut a chance to heal. It's one of the most effective therapies in our clinic, and the research continues to support its ability to help improve symptoms related to a wide variety of digestive conditions. He...

A healthy gut can translate to better digestion, skin, metabolism, mood, cognition, and more. But what supplements can help keep your gut health in check? On the podcast, I cover the two most effective supplements for your gut microbiome and cover what other remedies seem effective, but ultimately research says otherwise. https://www.drruscio.com/two-effective-supplements-gut-microbiome   My book...

Challenging yourself in a workout is one thing, but when you ramp up training too much or too hard, it comes with negative side effects. I've felt these effects, as have clients of Dr. Mike T. Nelson. In this episode, Dr. Nelson shares how to spot these not-so-obvious signs, overcome them with supplements and adequate rest, and find what exercise intensity works best for you. https://www.drruscio....

Lab testing done by a previous functional health practitioner told John he had Hashimoto's and needed to avoid meat. Following the practitioner's recommendations, he began a vegan diet, which only made him feel worse. When John came to our clinic, we listened more to his symptoms rather than lab values and customized a plan that ultimately led to him feeling better. Listen in to hear what dietary...

Can testing your genetics improve your health? In this episode, hear the latest evidence that demonstrates why it's not as helpful as it's made out to be and what is actually effective for improving mental clarity, weight loss outcomes, digestive issues, and more. https://www.drruscio.com/genetic-testing-for-your-health   My book Healthy Gut, Healthy You is available at https://drruscio.com/getgut...