Sandra Rodriguez, MD, ABOM

Sandra Rodriguez, MD, ABOM Dr. Sandra Rodríguez, MD, ABOM
Board certified
✨ Gastro doctor
✨ expert on digestive & liver health
✨ Obesity Medicine
📍 Miami & Homestead
📲 786-500-4644

02/05/2026

🍞 Gluten is not inherently bad for your gut. For most people, it’s digested normally and doesn’t cause inflammation or damage.

🧬 There are important exceptions. In celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction and must be strictly avoided. Wheat allergy is another clear reason to eliminate it.

🌿 Some people experience symptoms with gluten despite normal tests. This is called non celiac gluten sensitivity and in many cases the issue may actually be FODMAPs, not gluten itself. Whole grains can support gut health, so unnecessary restriction isn’t always helpful.

02/04/2026

🫘 Beans cause gas because they’re rich in fiber and fermentable carbs that aren’t fully digested in the small intestine. When they reach the colon, gut bacteria ferment them and produce gas.

🧠 This process is normal and beneficial. Fermentation is how fiber feeds healthy gut bacteria and supports long term gut health. Gas doesn’t mean damage, it means activity.

🌿 If you’re not used to eating fiber, large portions can overwhelm the gut and increase bloating. Starting small, choosing well cooked or soaked beans and increasing gradually allows the microbiome to adapt. Persistent symptoms suggest sensitivity, not that beans are bad.

01/29/2026

🫃 Normal tests don’t mean your bloating is imagined. It means the cause hasn’t been identified yet. Imaging and labs rule out danger, not discomfort.

🧠 Gut sensitivity, food timing, stress levels and motility all influence bloating and don’t always show up on standard tests.

🌿 Functional doesn’t mean fake. It means the gut is reacting differently and needs a different approach to treatment. Your symptoms are real.

01/27/2026

🧠 IBS flares do not always have a clear trigger. Having symptoms does not mean you ate the wrong thing, handled stress poorly or made a mistake.

🌫️ Sometimes there is no food to blame, no stressor to point to and no clear explanation. That unpredictability is part of the condition itself.

✨ Normalizing this matters. Validation reduces shame, anxiety and symptom spirals. IBS is not a personal failure.

01/22/2026

🧠 Magnesium is everywhere right now, linked to sleep, mood, muscle and nerve function, but not all forms act the same in the gut or get absorbed equally.

🧬 Forms like magnesium glycinate, malate and taurate are better absorbed and gentler on digestion, making them more suitable for sleep, muscle recovery and nervous system support.

🚽 Citrate, oxide and hydroxide are less absorbed and tend to pull water into the intestines, which is why they’re often used for constipation. Start low and let your gut guide the dose.

01/20/2026

💊 Proton pump inhibitors are often linked to osteoporosis, kidney disease and other conditions, but it’s important to understand what the science actually shows. Association does not mean causation.

🦴 High quality randomized placebo controlled studies show that PPIs do not cause significant bone mineral density loss and do not impair calcium absorption enough to create negative calcium balance.

🧠 Much of the fear comes from observational studies, which can only show correlation. Evidence based decisions require understanding study design, not headlines.

01/13/2026

🍋 Warm lemon water in the morning can support hydration and gently stimulate digestion for people who tolerate acidity well and are not prone to reflux.

🔥 If you have heartburn, GERD, gastritis or ulcers, lemon water may worsen symptoms, especially on an empty stomach. Paying attention to how your body responds matters more than trends.

🧠 There is no proven detox benefit. The liver and gut already do that job efficiently. Half a lemon in warm water is gentler than straight juice and symptoms should always guide your choice.

01/08/2026

💊 Multivitamins can be helpful when there are dietary gaps, restricted diets or higher nutrient demands like pregnancy, aging or specific health needs.

🥗 If your diet is balanced and you already meet nutrient needs through food or targeted supplements, adding a multivitamin may offer no extra benefit and can increase the risk of excess intake.

🧠 Large studies show no significant mortality benefit for generally healthy adults, reinforcing that food quality matters more than pills.

01/06/2026

💧 How much water should you drink depends on your body, your routine and your environment. A simple and reliable sign of good hydration is clear or light colored urine.

🚽 Pale yellow urine usually means you’re well hydrated, while darker urine can signal that your body needs more fluids, especially if you’re active or exposed to heat.

🌿 Proper hydration supports digestion, nutrient absorption and gut health. Listening to your body is more effective than forcing a fixed number of glasses.

12/25/2025

🌱 Chia seeds may be tiny, but they do big things for digestion.

💩 Just 1–2 tablespoons provide a solid dose of soluble fiber to support regular bowel movements and stool consistency.

🦠 Their fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria, helping digestion, immunity, and inflammation balance.

💧 They absorb up to 10–12 times their weight in water, keeping the digestive tract hydrated.

✨ Naturally low FODMAP and one of the best plant sources of ALA omega-3s.


12/23/2025

🧠 No one looks forward to a colonoscopy, but it’s one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer.
🩺 Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the U.S., and screening saves lives.

📆 Everyone should start routine screening at 45 years old, even without symptoms.

👨‍👩‍👧 If you have a parent, sibling, or child diagnosed with colon cancer before 60, or advanced polyps, screening should begin at 40 or 10 years earlier than their diagnosis.

✨ Prevention starts with information.

12/18/2025

Did you know that some products that look harmless can actually harm your gut health?

🍹 Boxed juice, 🥛 flavored yogurts, 🥩 processed meats, 🥤 sodas, 🥣 breakfast cereals, probiotic supplements, and even packaged snacks… all of them can affect your health in ways most people don’t realize.

🥦 The best way to protect your gut is to choose natural and minimally processed foods that provide fiber, nutrients, and real balance.

Address

925 N. E. 30th Terrace Suite 204
Homestead, FL
33033

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17865004644

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sandra Rodriguez, MD, ABOM posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Sandra Rodriguez, MD, ABOM:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category