Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC

12/22/2025

Glutamine is often labeled a “non-essential” amino acid - but that label doesn’t tell the full story.

Under normal conditions, the body can produce glutamine on its own. But during times of stress, that demand increases dramatically - and your body may no longer be able to keep up.

Stress isn’t just emotional. It can include chronic inflammation, infection, metabolic stress, tissue injury, and illness. During these periods, glutamine becomes conditionally essential, meaning adequate levels are critical for normal function.

Glutamine plays an important role in neurotransmitter balance, helping support focus, motivation, and mental clarity - while also supporting the nervous system’s ability to downshift. This balance is key for managing anxiety, stress response, and sleep quality.

In functional and integrative health, glutamine is often discussed not only for gut health and intestinal integrity, but also for its role in the brain–gut connection and stress resilience.

Understanding how nutrients behave under stress helps explain why symptoms can appear even when “labs look normal” - and why context always matters.

👍 If you’re new here, liking, commenting, or sharing this post helps us reach and educate more people.

12/19/2025

Stress doesn’t just affect your mood - it directly impacts your gut.

The gut and brain are intimately connected through the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system. When stress becomes chronic, it disrupts this connection and shifts your microbiome into imbalance (dysbiosis), which can weaken your gut lining, increase inflammation, and trigger digestive symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas.

Over time, these gut changes can feed back and increase stress signals in the body, creating a cycle where stress worsens gut health and poor gut health worsens stress. This cycle is linked to common digestive conditions such as IBS, gastritis, reflux, and inflammatory bowel disease - and may even influence systemic conditions like autoimmunity, thyroid issues, or mood disorders.

The good news: this cycle can be broken.

Supporting your microbiome with probiotics, following an anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly diet, and prioritizing stress-regulating habits like quality sleep, mindful movement, and relaxation practices can help lower inflammation and improve both gut health and stress resilience.

If you’ve noticed stress showing up as digestive symptoms, this is your sign to look deeper.

👉 Take our Gut Health Quiz on our website, and get personalized next steps for healing your gut.

12/19/2025

For years, IBS was labeled a “functional” gastrointestinal disorder - a term that unintentionally questioned the legitimacy of the diagnosis and contributed to stigma for people living with very real symptoms.

That perspective has changed.

As Alex C. Ford, MD - Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Leeds - explains, growing evidence over the last two decades shows that IBS often arises from dysfunction in the gut–brain axis.

Here’s why that matters:

The brain regulates gut sensation, motility, and nerve signaling.

When communication along this axis is disrupted, it can lead to bowel dysfunction - including pain, bloating, altered motility, and food sensitivity.

IBS is not imagined.

And it’s not “just stress.”

It’s a real, physiologic condition involving the nervous system and the gut.

🎧 In our full video on the Podcast and YouTube channel, we dive deeper into:

• Evidence-based IBS treatment approaches

• Why the gut–brain axis matters clinically

• How tools like the elemental diet may help - especially if you notice bloating or discomfort every time you eat

If your stomach feels sensitive no matter what you try, this conversation is worth watching.

Save this post and share it with someone who’s been told “everything looks normal” - yet still struggles.

12/18/2025

The gut and brain are deeply connected — and research continues to show that improving gut health can influence how the brain processes stress.

Studies suggest that interventions supporting the gut microbiome may help attenuate activity in the limbic system — the part of the brain involved in stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation.

What does that translate to clinically?

• Less perceived stress

• Improvements in anxiety and mood

• More balanced cortisol patterns

• Potential benefits for cognition and memory

This is one reason I often emphasize probiotics — not as a cure-all, but as a foundational tool when someone is working to improve their overall health.

Ignoring gut support while trying to optimize mental or metabolic health would be a missed opportunity.

🎧 The full conversation is available on our Podcast

▶️ Extended video breakdown is on our YouTube channel

Save this for later and share it with someone who’s working on stress, mood, or brain health from a root-cause approach.

12/18/2025

After the holidays, many people feel bloated, sluggish, or off digestively - and cleanse culture is quick to offer extreme solutions.

But harsh detoxes, juice cleanses, and restriction can actually stress the gut, disrupt the microbiome, and make symptoms worse.

A more effective approach is a gentle gut reset.

Instead of extremes, focus on calming inflammation, supporting digestion, and helping your gut recover naturally.

Post-holiday symptoms aren’t a failure - they’re often a sign your gut needs a pause, not punishment.

📌 Save this post if you want to start fresh without extremes.

12/17/2025

During the early COVID days, there was a lot of speculation around immune support - especially when it came to probiotics.

At the time, I was cautious.

While the gut–immune connection made theoretical sense, I didn’t feel comfortable making recommendations without solid evidence.

Fast forward to now ⏩

We’re seeing more and more studies exploring how probiotics may support immune system function - including research related to respiratory infections and COVID outcomes.

This doesn’t mean probiotics are a cure or a replacement for medical care - but it does highlight how closely the gut and immune system are connected.

📚 Science evolves.

📊 And recommendations should evolve with it.

In this video, I break down what the research is actually showing, what it doesn’t show, and how to think about probiotics through an evidence-based lens.

🎧 You can watch the full conversation on our Podcast

▶️ or check out the extended video on our YouTube channel

Save this for later, and share with someone who’s interested in gut health and immune support.

12/17/2025

What I didn’t expect after testing positive for Bartonella and Babesia

In this clip, I’m sharing part of my personal experience after receiving positive results for Bartonella and Babesia, including what I noticed when I began targeted support.

When I started enzymes such as nattokinase, lumbrokinase, and serrapeptase, I experienced a short period of what’s often referred to as “die-off” - mainly fatigue and mild headaches for a few days.

One of the most important takeaways from this experience was learning how quickly certain infections can replicate, and why stopping support too early - even when symptoms begin to improve - may allow them to persist or return.

This is why, in some cases, supporting the body beyond symptom resolution is an important part of a thoughtful, well-guided approach.

We were also very excited to have join us as a guest speaker for this conversation. Her expertise added important context and depth to the discussion.

I share the full background of my experience, along with key insights from our conversation, in the full podcast episode.

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode for the complete discussion.

12/13/2025

12/13/2025

If hormone testing feels confusing, you're not alone. With so many options it can be tough to know what you actually need.

The truth? Hormone testing isn't one-size-fits-all, and the "best" method depends on your symptoms, overall health, and goals.

Swipe through for a quick breakdown of what matters most, then head to our blog for more information on which test is right for you.

12/12/2025

Castor oil isn’t just a trend - a 2024 clinical trial showed measurable improvements in dark circles, wrinkles, and under-eye skin laxity with twice-daily use.
But like any oil, you have to apply it carefully around the eyes.

The full breakdown on our YouTube + Podcast explains:
Why castor oil works
Additional benefits beyond skincare
Safe-use guidelines
What results you can realistically expect

If you’re someone dealing with under-eye bags, discoloration, fine lines, or you’re exploring natural anti-aging remedies, this full episode is worth watching.

12/12/2025

For anyone searching for real, research-backed answers to their gut or thyroid struggles - you’re in the right place.

Healing doesn’t have to feel confusing, overwhelming, or like you’re doing it alone.

Our clinicians blend compassion with evidence-based care to help you finally understand what your body is trying to tell you. From decades of combined clinical experience to ongoing published research, our team is here to guide you with clarity and confidence.

Swipe through to meet the people behind your care - and learn why thousands trust us with their health. 💙

Have questions about working with our team? Drop them below or head to our website for more info.

12/11/2025

Our social media manager made us post this… (please like the video so she feels validated) 😅