Dr Cara Mac Mullin BSc ND

11/24/2025

Your microbiome affects more than digestion - and there are a lot of myths out there.

Here are three quick clarifications:
�1️⃣ A probiotic isn’t a gut-healing plan. Food diversity, fibre, polyphenols, and lifestyle matter just as much.�2️⃣ No gut symptoms? You can still have imbalance. Stress, sleep, and inflammation all influence the microbiome.�3️⃣ It’s not just about what you eat. Your circadian rhythm, movement, and stress levels shape microbial balance too.

Small daily habits go a long way in supporting a healthier, more resilient microbiome.

Book a 10 minute complimentary consult at the link in bio to get started.
📍In-person appointments: Peterborough (Tues/Thurs) + Millbrook (Wed)
📲 Virtual consultations available for Ontario residents.

11/19/2025

PMDD can make the luteal phase feel overwhelming - but small, steady habits can help support your mood and energy.

Here are four simple levers you can start this cycle:

✨ Sleep: A consistent bedtime supports cortisol rhythm and emotional resilience.�
✨ Magnesium: Magnesium glycinate is gentle and can support mood, sleep, and PMS/PMDD symptoms.�
✨ Morning movement: Even 10–15 minutes can boost serotonin and improve stress tolerance.�
✨ Protein: Steady protein at meals helps regulate blood sugar and reduce mood swings.

Everyone’s cycle is different — but these foundations can make a big difference over time.

Book a 10 minute complimentary consult at the link in bio to get started.
📍In-person appointments: Peterborough (Tues/Thurs) + Millbrook (Wed)
📲 Virtual consultations available for Ontario residents.

11/17/2025

Many people told they have IBS actually have something deeper going on.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) describes a pattern of symptoms - bloating, pain, and altered bowel habits - but not necessarily the cause.

For many, that cause is microbial overgrowth in the small intestine and/or large intestine depending on the microbe:�
✨ SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)�
✨ IMO (Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth - overgrowth of methane producing microorganisms in the small and/or large intestine)

When excess microbes live where they shouldn’t, they ferment food, create gas, and disrupt digestion - often mimicking IBS.

Testing (like a simple breath test) can help clarify what’s really driving your symptoms so treatment can target the root cause — not just the label.

If you’ve been told you have IBS but still struggle with bloating or irregular digestion, it may be time to look deeper.

Book a 10 minute complimentary consult at the link in bio to get started.
📍In-person appointments: Peterborough (Tues/Thurs) + Millbrook (Wed)
📲 Virtual consultations available for Ontario residents.

11/07/2025

❤️

11/07/2025

Your gut talks to your brain all day — and your brain talks back.

The two are constantly connected through:

➕The vagus nerve – “a two-way communication superhighway”
➕Gut Microbes – they produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA - influencing mood, motivation, sleep and calm.
➕Other Microbial Metabolites (like Short Chain Fatty Acids/SCFAs) – reduce inflammation and protect brain health via the Blood Brain Barrier

When your gut microbiome is balanced, communication is balanced - you'll feel calm and focused with better stress tolerance and sleep quality.
When it’s disrupted (think stress, antibiotic use, poor diet)- you might notice brain fog, low mood, anxiety spikes and disrupted sleep.

When your gut microbiome is balanced and resilient, you’ll feel it in your mind!

Try this:

Start your day with protein + fibre + polyphenol rich food (like eggs + veggies, chia/ground flaxseeds + berries).

It helps regulate blood sugar and gives your brain a smoother supply of energy and neurotransmitter building blocks.
Fibre and polyphenol-rich foods fuel a healthy microbiome and SCFA synthesis.

If this topic resonates, consider booking a visit - I can help you explore how your gut–brain connection might be influencing your mood, focus, and overall health.

Book a 10 minute complimentary consult at the link in bio to get started.
📍In-person appointments in Peterborough (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Millbrook (Wednesdays).
📲 Virtual consultations available for Ontario residents.

11/04/2025

If you struggle to keep routines when life gets busy (hello, holiday season), you’re not alone — ADHD brains crave structure but also rebel against it.

Try these micro-anchors:

1. The one-minute start. Instead of “clean the kitchen,” try “put away one plate.” Momentum often follows.
2. Externalize reminders. Visual cues beat mental lists. Use things like sticky notes, timers, and whiteboards.
3. Pair with pleasure. Combine a must-do with a want-to.
4. Use ‘bookends.’ A short morning and evening ritual frames the day and helps transitions feel calmer.
5. Reward completion, not perfection. Check the box and move on — done is better than perfect.

Small wins done consistently change everything.
�Save this post for the next busy week or share it with someone who gets it.

10/10/2025

06/16/2025

05/14/2025

👏🏻

Naturopathic medicine is now formally recognized as part of Canada’s evolving primary care landscape.

We’re pleased to share that naturopathic doctors are featured in the newly released Compendium of Roles in Team-Based Primary Care, officially launched in April 2025 by the Canadian Health Workforce Network.

This national publication profiles the wide range of professionals contributing to modern primary care — now including naturopathic doctors and their role in collaborative, patient-centered care.

This achievement reflects the leadership of CCNM faculty and alumni, and the continued collaboration between CCNM, the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), and other integrative health partners.

Read the Compendium here:https://www.hhr-rhs.ca/images/PDFs/A%20Compendium%20of%20Roles%20in%20Team-Based%20Primary%20Care%20TPC%20April%202025.pdf

04/21/2025

Registration Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rj1iUXpBT5W2EAMaLmLT9g #/registration

04/05/2025

🌟 Unlocking Potential: Naturopathic Approaches to ADHD Support 🌟

Join Dr. Cara MacMullin, ND, for an insightful webinar exploring evidence-based, individualized strategies for supporting ADHD in children and teens through naturopathic medicine.

🧠 Learn how nutrition, epigenetics, and digestive health play a role in ADHD and how personalized approaches can help individuals thrive. ADHD isn’t something to “fix”—it’s a unique way of processing the world, with both challenges and strengths.

📌 Whether managing ADHD with or without medication, Dr. MacMullin will provide tools to help unlock your child’s full potential!

📅 Date: Thursday, April 24th
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
💻 Where: Zoom

🔗 Registration is required— Link is in our bio

12/20/2024

Chronic Gut Virus May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Development

New research has linked chronic intestinal infections from cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to a specific subtype of Alzheimer’s disease.

The virus may travel from the gut to the brain through the vagus nerve, triggering immune responses and contributing to hallmark Alzheimer’s changes like amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Researchers identified HCMV in the brain, vagus nerve, and intestines of Alzheimer’s patients, connecting it to unique immune activity in the brain.