Harris Whole Health

01/26/2026

Just sent out the G-free/digestive health newsletter with a roundup of all sorts of interesting things--gf labeling, recipes, research.

Posted on January 25, 2026January 25, 2026 by Cheryl HarrisComments open for GF labeling winter kale… BIG NEWS! The comment period is open for U.S. Food and Drug Administration re: labeling of gluten. The tl;dr: the FDA has a comment period open NOW re: requiring labels to clearly mark ingredients...

01/24/2026

interesting case study on cromolyn for people with MECFS & MCAS (continuous, vs discrete doses)

Our clinical experience in the last four years using oral cromolyn in patients with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) suggests that a continuous oral regimen of high-dose cromolyn may enhance compliance with the medication. The five patients described in this retrospective case series were given....

01/22/2026

🌟Comment period open for U.S. Food and Drug Administration public comment period on gluten labeling. 🌟 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/22/2026-01121/labeling-and-preventing-cross-contact-of-gluten-for-packaged-foods-request-for-information
and a brief description is here: https://www.allergicliving.com/2026/01/22/fda-takes-steps-to-improve-gluten-food-labels-seeks-input/

I know, so many are tired of this process, but this is movement in the right direction...

The FDA has launched a review of labeling for gluten beyond wheat. It seeks the public's stories on gluten reactions to barley, rye etc.

01/21/2026

hey! I haven't done the winter prepared-ness PSA in a while, but seems like a good time to mention some of the basics.
Do you have several day's worth of canned/dry food on hand? it's a good idea, especially if you're on a special diet.
A list of some gluten-free options are here:

Posted on May 7, 2016June 13, 2025 by Cheryl HarrisGluten-Free Grab & Go Last updated May 2024 Happy Celiac Disease Awareness Month! I’m a huge fan of naturally gluten-free food. It’s usually healthier, usually cheaper, and IMHO, often tastier, too. That’s especially this this time of year, wh...

01/20/2026

interesting new study on thiamin and GI motility. still haven't seen anything exciting in patients who have tried supplementing it, but curious if it's significant for a subset of folks with IBS...https://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2026/01/05/gutjnl-2025-337059

01/17/2026

really excited to see this new study on nutrition in hEDS. there are *way* too few studies, so this is big news! https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261561425003176

the tl;dr: many people with hEDS follow diets, aren't getting enough calories/nutrients, have GI symptoms & aren't seeing an RD. we need to do better.

12/29/2025

a lot of useful things in this summary of GP:

12/28/2025

I get a lot of Qs about microplastics. I'm most concerned about my IBD (Crohn's, UC) patients, but it is also potentially a larger issue
Some strategies:
*Decreasing plastic & single use containers containers
*using glass or metal, especially when microwaving
*using glass/metal water bottles
* wooden cutting boards

are increasingly detected in human tissues, with potential links to cognitive, cardiovascular, and inflammatory outcomes.

📌 Learn more in this JAMA Insights: https://ja.ma/48WtwAr

12/21/2025

why more GI issues in women? maybe because of estrogen. and maybe if this were studied sooner, we would know more about this... caveat--rodent models, but still quite interesting!

Visceral pain disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, exhibit a marked female prevalence. Enhanced signaling between enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the gut epithelium and mucosal sensory nerve fibers likely contributes to this s*x bias. We ...

12/20/2025

Mast cells in digestive diseases: New insights to keep them under control (new review for 2026)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825004943

12/17/2025

I need to send out the Dec GF newsletter. for now, a link:

Posted on December 14, 2025December 17, 2025 by Cheryl HarrisBrrr…December G-Free newsletter How time flies…and how cold it gets! Hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. So…here’s a link to another try at dietitian coverage for people with Medicare. I think that people with Medicare who h...

12/11/2025

any guesses for my favorite tea? or my favorite tea for UC or IBD?

Drinking these teas with anti-inflammatory and gut-healthy benefits may offer support if you have ulcerative colitis.