Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC

Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC Get Healthy - and Get Back to Your Life! Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC is a clinician & researcher Serving patients in the U.S. via Zoom.

With his clinical and research teams, Dr. Ruscio, DC scours existing studies to inform his ongoing clinical research, patient care, and guidance for health seekers and fellow clinicians around the world. His primary focus is digestive health and its impact on other facets of health, including energy, sleep, mood, and thyroid function and optimization. Dr. Ruscio’s, DC research has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals, and he speaks at integrative medical conferences across the globe. While actively seeing patients in his clinic, he also runs an influential blog and podcast, as well as a newsletter for functional medicine practitioners. For more information on how to become a patient, please contact our office.

03/10/2026

Many people assume persistent fatigue means their thyroid medication isn’t working.

But sometimes the issue isn’t the thyroid hormone itself.

Low iron or vitamin B12 can contribute to symptoms like fatigue, even when thyroid labs look normal. And while iron deficiency is usually easy to detect with ferritin testing, B12 deficiency can be harder to identify with standard labs.

In some cases, nutrient absorption issues related to gut health may be part of the picture.

If you’re still struggling with fatigue despite thyroid treatment, nutrient status may be worth exploring.

Save this for later if thyroid fatigue is something you’re working through.

03/08/2026

More red light isn’t always better.

When it comes to red light therapy, dosing matters.

General guideline for full-body panels:

⏰ 5–15 minutes per session

🗓️ 3x per week

📏 ~12 inches from your body

If you:

→ Stand too close → intensity increases

→ Use it daily → you may overdo it

→ Ignore specs → you risk under- or overdosing

There’s a biphasic response - meaning too little does very little… and too much can actually reduce benefits.

I’ve personally overused it before - and learned the hard way.

Some panels (like Mito Red Light) are decent options, but always check wavelength range and output.

💬 Are you tracking how often you’re using your red light?

Ready for a spring gut reset?Your gut isn’t just about digestion - it impacts:• Immune function• Mood & energy• Inflamma...
03/07/2026

Ready for a spring gut reset?

Your gut isn’t just about digestion - it impacts:

• Immune function

• Mood & energy

• Inflammation

Seasonal, whole foods like leafy greens, asparagus, berries, and peas provide fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients that feed your microbiome. Pair these with Paleo staples - lean proteins and healthy fats - and you’re giving your gut exactly what it needs.

Want a simple way to hit “reset” this spring? Comment RESET for our FREE Gut Reset Guide. 🌱

03/06/2026

The problem with most red light devices for joint pain 👇

When it comes to joint or muscle pain, coverage matters.

Some devices (like Kineon Move) use 3 targeted lasers - which can work - but may not fully cover the entire painful area.

That’s why we favor the NovaLight Pad:

• Wraparound design for better joint coverage

• More practical for treating the full area

• Reasonably priced (under $300)

If you're using red light for joint recovery, coverage > hype.

💬 Have you tried red light for pain relief?

Insomnia.Estrogen dominance.Anxiety.Histamine overload.At first glance, they seem unrelated.But research and clinical ob...
03/04/2026

Insomnia.

Estrogen dominance.

Anxiety.

Histamine overload.

At first glance, they seem unrelated.

But research and clinical observation suggest they may share a common pathway.

Histamine isn’t just involved in allergies.

It also plays a role in:

• Brain signaling (which can affect anxiety and sleep)

• Hormone balance (estrogen can amplify histamine activity)

• Gut function and immune responses

This doesn’t mean histamine is always the root cause.

But it does mean histamine load and gut health are clinically relevant factors.

If you're dealing with insomnia, anxiety, and hormone symptoms...

💬 Comment HISTA for our histamine intolerance guide.

03/04/2026

Red light… for your brain? 🧠⚡

Transcranial red light therapy has been shown in research to:

• Pe*****te through the skull

• Increase mitochondrial function in the brain

• Improve cerebral blood flow (perfusion)

• Reduce inflammatory markers

• Support working memory & executive function

There are essentially two main options on the market — and currently, Vielight has the strongest published evidence showing pe*******on through the cranium (including the Neuro Gamma 4 model).

Pulsing between 10–40 Hz may help enhance skull pe*******on and mitochondrial activation.

Personally, around the 15-minute mark, I notice a subtle warmth and a clear increase in mental energy.

💬 Would you try red light for brain performance?

03/03/2026

4 signs your thyroid issues might actually be gut problems 👀

Could your gut be behind your thyroid struggles? Check these signs:

1️⃣ Thyroid meds not working – poor gut health can reduce absorption
2️⃣ Persistent inflammation or symptoms – fatigue, brain fog, or joint pain despite normal labs
3️⃣ Thyroid autoimmunity – SIBO or H. pylori may increase TPO antibodies
4️⃣ Nutrient deficiencies – low selenium, myo-inositol, B12, iron, or iodine can affect thyroid function

💬 Comment THYROID for our thyroid guide!

✨ Save this post if you or someone you know is struggling with thyroid issues!

There’s a lot of noise around organic food “organic = healthier,”“organic = pesticide‑free,” but the real takeaway isn’t...
03/01/2026

There’s a lot of noise around organic food “organic = healthier,”

“organic = pesticide‑free,” but the real takeaway isn’t that simple.

Research clearly shows that switching kids to an organic diet dramatically lowers pesticide residues in their bodies, often within just a few days.

However, that doesn’t mean organic foods are inherently “superior” in every health marker.

Nutrient differences between organic and conventional foods are inconsistent, and organic produce isn’t completely free of pesticides - it just limits the type and amount.

The nuance matters: choosing organic isn’t about perfection or fear - it’s about being strategic.

If reducing pesticide exposure in children is a priority and budget allows, organic can be a practical tool. If not, prioritizing more fruits and vegetables overall (even conventional) still supports health.

02/28/2026

75% of women will experience vaginal Candida during their reproductive years.

It’s common.

You’re not “broken.”

But here’s what’s interesting:

Higher estrogen levels can increase risk.

That’s why we sometimes see higher incidence with:

• Hormonal birth control

• Hormone replacement therapy

• Pregnancy

Estrogen isn’t “bad.”

In fact, it’s protective in many ways.

But when levels are elevated, it can create localized immune changes that make overgrowth more likely.

If this is recurring for you, it may be worth looking at hormone balance - not just antifungals.

Save this. Share with someone who thinks they’re alone.

Before a study hits PubMed, it can take years of planning, data collection, and review - and many never make it to publi...
02/28/2026

Before a study hits PubMed, it can take years of planning, data collection, and review - and many never make it to publication.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what actually goes into publishing research:

Step 1: Ask a meaningful, testable question

Step 2: Design a study that can answer it

Step 3: Get ethics approval (IRB)

Step 4: Recruit participants, collect & analyze data

Step 5: Write, submit, and survive peer review

Step 6: Publication - but it’s just one piece of evidence

🔑 Takeaway: One study rarely tells the whole story. Science advances through patterns, replication, and totality of evidence - not flashy headlines.

💾 Save this for next time you see a “new study” headline

02/28/2026

Gas.

Bloating.

Abdominal pain.

Nausea.

Diarrhea.

A 2013 study looked at 150 people with unexplained GI symptoms.

Here’s what they found:

• 21% had Candida overgrowth

• 25% had SIBO

• 21% had BOTH

Translation?

Gut issues aren’t always “just bacteria.”

The ecosystem can go out of balance in multiple ways at once.

If you’re treating SIBO but still symptomatic…

it may be worth zooming out and looking at the bigger microbiome picture.

Save this for later.

Dieting is often framed as a simple path to better health - but the reality is more nuanced.Research suggests that stric...
02/28/2026

Dieting is often framed as a simple path to better health - but the reality is more nuanced.

Research suggests that strict or fear-based dieting approaches can increase the risk of disordered eating patterns, particularly when there’s heavy focus on rules, weight, or “perfect” eating.

This is especially important when working with children or anyone already navigating health challenges, where rigid dietary rules may unintentionally create stress or unhealthy relationships with food. 🥗

That doesn’t mean nutrition changes aren’t helpful. Diet can absolutely support health - but the approach matters.

Flexible, supportive guidance tends to be more sustainable and less likely to create psychological harm than overly strict restriction.

🧠 Understanding this distinction helps shift the conversation away from rigid dieting and toward a more balanced, supportive relationship with food.

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