Dr. Kristin Struble

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Dr. Kristin Struble

Kristin Struble, MD, FAAP 🩺👩‍⚕️
Pediatrician in Phoenix, AZ, since 2001, with a passion for gut health, nutrition, and “root cause” functional medicine.

Disease prevention begins with a happy, balanced “gut”, from top to bottom. Healthy food is the best preventative medicine, but a healthy lifestyle with quality sleep, exercise, socializing and relaxation are also major contributors to overall well being!

02/16/2026

Big shoutout to my amazing friend Dr. Alisa Minkin for hosting an incredible podcast episode with Dr. Ali Navidi, a top GI psychologist and expert on the gut-brain connection! 🌟
They dive deep into why kids get chronic belly pain, nausea, and ‘mystery’ tummy issues—even when tests are normal—and share real, hopeful strategies using gut-directed hypnosis, CBT, and practical parent tips to break those brain-gut cycles. So validating and empowering for families dealing with this! 💙🧠🍃
This conversation flows beautifully and is packed with info every parent needs. Go listen and share—huge help for so many kiddos! 🎙️

01/24/2026

Big news for parents of snoring kids! 😴 A new study (MIST+ trial, Jan 2026) shows simple saltwater nasal spray can help many children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.
Key takeaways:
• About 30% of kids saw symptoms fully resolve after just 6 weeks of daily intranasal saline.
• For those who still had issues, another 6 weeks of saline worked as well as switching to steroid spray – resolving symptoms in over a third more!
• Overall, around half improved with 12 weeks of saline alone.
Researchers recommend trying intranasal saline for up to 3 months before considering specialist referral, sleep studies, or surgery. This cheap, safe option could reduce wait times and avoid unnecessary procedures. 👃💧
Bonus: Nasal saline is also great for allergies and mouth breathing! It washes away allergens, reduces nasal congestion, eases allergic rhinitis symptoms, and promotes better nasal breathing (which can cut down on mouth breathing that worsens snoring or sleep issues). Supported by Cochrane reviews and studies on kids with allergies/asthma.
Original sleep study: medpagetoday.com/pulmonology/sleepdisorders/119489 (JAMA Pediatrics)
Allergies info: cochrane.org/CD012597/ENT_saline-irrigation-allergic-rhinitis
Always chat with your pediatrician first! ParentTips MouthBreathing

01/08/2026

Did you hear? The new 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines just flipped the food pyramid upside down! 🥩🍳 Now, high-quality proteins, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats form the base for better health, with veggies & fruits next, and grains/sugars minimized. These are great recommendations overall, but l’d suggest skipping the milk. In my 25 years of practice, l’ve seen health improvements in many children, particularly those with allergies, intolerances, or gut issues, when parents remove cow’s milk from their diet. That said, I advise against it for toddlers and kids. Consuming other dairy products, like yogurt or cheese, can be different and often better tolerated due to fermentation, which may reduce potential issues.
Excessive cow’s milk intake is indeed a leading cause of iron deficiency anemia in toddlers, as it’s low in iron and can interfere with absorption or cause minor gut bleeding. Research also suggests that casein, a protein in cow’s milk, may contribute to autoimmune responses in susceptible individuals, potentially playing a role in conditions like type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis based on animal and some human studies, though this isn’t proven for everyone. There’s emerging evidence linking cow’s milk proteins to folate receptor autoantibodies, which have been associated with autism spectrum disorder in some children, and
and avoiding milk has helped reduce these antibodies in certain cases; however, this connection needs more research and isn’t a blanket recommendation.
Cow’s milk can be pro-inflammatory for kids with sensitivities, leading to allergies or digestive problems. I encourage kids to primarily drink water, eat nutrient-rich whole foods as recommended. Raw milk isn’t a safer option-it’s riskier due to potential bacterial contamination and isn’t advised by health authorities.
Always check with a doctor
before making dietary changes to ensure balanced nutrition. What’s your take?

01/01/2026

That’s a wrap on 2025! 🎉
This month was packed with joy, family time, fun adventures, deep reflection, total relaxation, and gratitude ❤️
One big win? Cutting back on social media – it’s been SO calming and restorative 😌
Science backs it up: A University of Pennsylvania study found limiting social media to just 30 min/day significantly decreased loneliness/depression and improved overall well-being! (Hunt et al., 2018)
Highly recommend trying it for a couple weeks – you might feel happier too! ✨
What’s your 2025 highlight? 👇
WellBeing

12/16/2025

Such an incredible team! Grateful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated and caring individuals who make a difference in kids' lives!! ❤️❤️🩺🥼🩷🫶🩵 ❤️❤️🌲🎄🎅🙏🙏✝️🕎🔯 ❤️🙏

12/15/2025

Dream partners and an amazing team at Camelback Pediatrics! So grateful for the holiday fun 🌲🎅🎄🎅🎄🌲

12/12/2025

Breaking down the latest Neurology study on artificial sweeteners, brain health, and their potential links to gut microbiome disruptions 🧠🦠🔬—key facts for informed choices. Swipe to learn more. What’s one habit you’re rethinking? 📖🤔

12/10/2025

🚨 Gut Check Time! 🚨 Ever mix up IBD & IBS? You’re not alone…let’s break it down super simple so you can spot the diff & take charge of your tummy health! 💪🥦
🔥 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – The “fiery fighter” (think Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis):
• Actual INFLAMMATION & damage to your gut lining 😩
• Symptoms: Bloody stools, severe pain, weight loss, fatigue, fever
• Diagnosis: Tests like colonoscopies show the chaos
• Treatment: Intensive medical therapies like meds, biologics, or surgery—PLUS simple lifestyle wins! Many folks see big improvements with doc-guided dietary changes (e.g., anti-inflammatory eats), probiotics, stress management (yoga, mindfulness), and gentle exercise. Always talk with your healthcare provider for personalized plans! 👩‍⚕️
• It’s chronic & can flare!
🌀 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – The “moody messenger” (no major damage, mostly functional ):
• Generally NO significant inflammation or structural issues…it’s more about wonky gut signals, stress, or food triggers 🤯 (Though some research spots mild low-level inflammation in a few cases, it doesn’t cause scarring like IBD!)
• Symptoms: Bloating, cramps, diarrhea/constipation switches
• Diagnosis: Based on symptoms after ruling out other stuff
• Treatment: Lifestyle-focused wins like temporary elimination diets (e.g., cutting gluten, dairy, or both to ID triggers), low FODMAP for many who swear by it, stress busters (meditation, walks), probiotics, and milder meds if needed—always doc-approved for the best fit! 🌿
• Manageable with lifestyle…flares but no permanent harm!
Remember: Both suck, but IBD needs doc intervention ASAP. If you’re dealing with gut woes, chat with your healthcare provider!

12/08/2025

Taking back our health doesn’t mean perfection—especially during the holidays! 🌟 Two steps forward, two steps back? That’s totally normal. Give yourself grace amid the chaos, like sneaky seed oils and overwhelming “eliminate this” advice. Stick to the basics:
💧 Drink mostly water on most days (hydration is key!). 🚫 Limit inflammatory foods like gluten & dairy (cow’s milk especially). 🍎 Cut back on highly processed stuff—sweets, snacks, bread, pasta, chips, crackers. 😴 Prioritize restful sleep with good sleep hygiene (think consistent bedtime, dark room, no screens before bed). 🏃‍♀️ Get moving—any exercise counts! 👯‍♀️ Make time for social connections. 📵 Take tech breaks & find ways to relax (meditation, walks, hobbies).
Aim for 80% good choices daily—some days you’re at 100% 🔥, others at zero 😅, and that’s OK! Be mindful, stay consistent, and reclaim your wellness one step at a time. Who’s with me? 💪

12/07/2025

🚨 Parents & Teens: As a pediatrician & gut health detective, let’s talk detox! 📵 A 1-week social media break drops depression (PHQ-9) by 25% in young adults—& thanks to the gut-brain axis, better moods mean a happier gut too! Limit to 30 min/day for >35% symptom relief in high-risk youth per Surgeon General RCTs. Preteens gain 35% mood boosts from less scrolling, fueling microbiome magic. Unplug, recharge, thrive—your gut & brain will thank you! 💪🧠❤️ 🔥✨

11/23/2025

Headed to a fundraiser for the incredible Saving Amy organization —check out the link above for more info! ❤️ Founded in 2015, this Phoenix-based nonprofit breaks the cycle of homelessness through mentoring, life skills, and holistic family support, empowering those in need toward lasting stability. 🏡✨ So excited Luke’s home early for Thanksgiving, and we’re making it a special date night with my boys for such a transformative cause. Who’s joining the giving spirit? 🙌

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Phoenix, AZ

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http://www.kristinstruble.com/

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