Dr. Andrew Hubbard, ND

11/26/2025

I see this pattern constantly:

People start removing foods because they’re desperate for relief. Gluten goes. Then dairy. Then salads, garlic, beans…And despite all the effort, they still feel like everything they eat triggers symptoms.

In the beginning, restriction feels like it’s helping. There’s less fermentation, less pressure, less output — so symptoms settle.

But long-term, this backfires. Your microbiome starves. Your nervous system becomes hypervigilant. Your food list shrinks. Your confidence disappears. And now your gut reacts to almost everything.

Food was never the enemy. A sensitive, overwhelmed system was.

In my latest article, I walk through:

– Why restriction “works”… until it doesn’t
– The physiology behind a sensitive, reactive gut
– How food fear develops
– What to do instead (hint: it’s not more restriction)
– How to rebuild tolerance with a simple, stepwise approach
– How to support the gut–brain connection so your system can feel safe again

If you’re stuck in the cycle of restriction and reactivity, this might be the perspective shift you’ve been needing.

Read the full article here:

Why it often feels like food triggers gut symptoms and what’s really happening underneath. A clear, supportive path to long-term healing

05/09/2025

This one’s for all my constipated, iron-deficient people out there…

It’s a regular dilemma I see in practice.
You’ve got chronic constipation or IBS-C—and your iron levels are low.

You’re tired, maybe your hair is thinning.
Only problem? The iron supplements that are supposed to help often leave you even more bloated, constipated, and uncomfortable.

Hardly seems like a fair trade-off.

Here’s what you need to know:

Not all iron is created equal—some forms are gentler on the gut

Alternate-day dosing has been shown in studies to improve absorption and reduce GI side effects for some people

Sometimes you need to support motility alongside iron therapy

And often, it’s worth asking—why is your iron consistently low in the first place?
(Menstrual loss, inflammation, digestive issues, and absorption problems can all contribute)

And for some people, when oral iron simply isn’t tolerated or effective—IV iron may be the best route.

It’s not just about pushing through side effects.
It’s about finding a strategy that works with your gut—not against it.

If you’ve been stuck in this cycle—low iron, bad side effects, no progress—there’s a smarter way through it. You don’t have to settle.

—

Disclaimer: This post is for general education only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for individual recommendations.

04/29/2025

I work with a lot of kids who miss school because of chronic stomach pain—daily discomfort, nausea, bloating, and a sense that no one really understands what they’re going through.

Sometimes the cause is clear. But often, it’s not. And even when stress is involved, most families aren’t given any tools to help their kids actually feel better.

What I want parents to know is this:

There are effective, evidence-based approaches that support both the gut and the nervous system.

I’ve seen kids go from daily pain and school avoidance to showing up comfortably, eating without fear, and feeling like themselves again.

It takes more than reassurance. But it’s absolutely possible.

You don’t have to wait for them to “grow out of it”

—

Disclaimer: Not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for individual support.

04/15/2025

Hey everyone!

I haven’t posted anything here in a while. Life has been moving at a fast pace for me and my family. Lots of exciting updates, the biggest of which is welcoming our now 13-month-old daughter into the world last February. She has been such a blessing and is such a fun character 🥰. She also looks just a bit like dad ☺️. Becoming a father has been the best (and most humbling) chapter of life so far.

I’ve been wanting to re-engage with social media for some time now to continue sharing reliable, thought-provoking, and action-oriented content to help you on your gut health journey. Now felt like the right time to pop back into your feeds.

For anyone new here, welcome. For anyone who has been following me for some time, thank you for your continued support. I look forward to continuing to engage with this great community. Drop in the comments some topics you’d like covered and I’ll do my best to bring a nuanced, informative discussion on the subject.

Also, what’s one thing you learned about your gut health in the last year?!

11/14/2023

Bloating goes beyond just excess gas, and a quick fix isn’t as simple as popping probiotics. There’s a myriad of digestive and non-digestive factors contributing to bloating.

It might be the sole symptom or the most bothersome, often accompanied by other uncomfortable digestive issues like cramping, indigestion, nausea, and constipation.

Managing this stubborn symptom can be challenging, especially as conventional medicine doesn’t always provide effective solutions beyond laxatives or gas medications. If those don’t cut it, it can feel like you’re left to navigate it on your own

Through a comprehensive medical history and personalized treatments targeting the root cause, we can create tailored strategies to effectively address and manage bloating. It’s about understanding the individual factors contributing to the issue and crafting a plan that works specifically for you.

10/21/2023

Diarrhea can manifest in various digestive disorders and diseases, whether it’s a chronic or acute issue.

While diarrhea can sometimes be harmless and resolve on its own, certain characteristics should raise red flags:

🚩 Bloody diarrhea is always a cause for immediate concern, necessitating prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider.

The presence of fat in your stool, known as steatorrhea, which may resemble oily droplets or produce a greasy and foul smell, could indicate fat maldigestion (as seen after gallbladder surgery or due to pancreatic enzyme insufficiency), malabsorption (as observed in Crohn’s disease or celiac disease), or a combination of both (as seen in SIBO).

Diarrhea is a common complaint that we often manage successfully in the clinic. Taking a thorough history is crucial.

If you experience a sudden change in your bowel habits and digestive health, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider.

Book an appointment today and let’s get your 💩 together!

09/14/2023

This is just the tip of the iceberg on how we can begin to treat and manage functional dyspepsia.

Functional dyspepsia is a functional digestive disorder that is characterized by symptoms that include bothersome:

✔️Early fullness/satiety
✔️Bloating after eating
✔️Pain or burning in the upper abdomen
✔️nausea, belching

Proton pump inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment. They strongly suppress the natural production of stomach acid.

The problem with this approach is that it neglects the root cause completely.

I have found the following principles critical in successfully treating and resolving functional dyspepsia:

🧘🏾Addressing the gut-brain connection
💪 improving gut barrier function
♻️ Promoting healthy gut motility
🧯 Resolving low-grade inflammation
🤫 Calming overactive immune cells in the small intestine.

Follow for more root cause gut health strategies and education! 🕵🏻‍♂️

09/09/2023

You’re not going to find answers in a single diet, test, diagnostic label, probiotic or medication.

Navigating this can be difficult.

You don’t have to do it alone.

Accepting new patients in Ontario.

08/08/2023

Just a few of the ways I’ve recently managed different digestive disorders.

There are many tools we have to provide relief and there’s also good evidence for many of them as well.

Great results were achieved with these methods without the need for expensive and unnecessary testing

07/29/2023

There has been a surge of public and scientific interest in ADHD.

A disorder thought to primarily affect school-aged boys, now many adults are learning that they’ve likely had undiagnosed ADHD 🙋🏻‍♂️

While ADHD is complex and likely driven by many different environmental and genetic factors, a fascinating connection between this disorder and the gut microbiome is emerging.

For those of you who have been following my content on the gut brain connection, maybe this isn’t too surprising. For those yet to check out my Gut Brain Masterclass you can purchase it below:

https://drandrewhubbard.lpages.co/gbm-opt-in/

07/10/2023

Histamine and gut health.

Hey there, friends!

Did you know that histamine, beyond causing sneezes and sniffles, has a profound impact on your gut health? 🤔

I'm excited to share my latest blog post where I dive deep into the fascinating connection between histamine and digestion. From stomach acid production to gut motility, histamine plays a significant role in shaping our digestive system.

Discover how histamine can contribute to common digestive issues like IBS, heartburn, bloating, and more. Plus, I'll shed light on the surprising effects histamine has on our nervous system and its link to anxiety and insomnia.

Check out the blog post now!

From heartburn to IBS, bloating and more. Learn about how histamine affects digestion and how to tame it for better gut health.

06/29/2023

Natural treatments can be extremely helpful in easing the symptoms of hemorrhoids including bleeding, pain and itching

Don’t sit on the problem!

Get relief - Booking link in Bio