1 00:00:00,585 --> 00:00:03,315 - It's once again time to get gutsy with Liz Hall 2 00:00:03,375 --> 00:00:06,355 and her expert guests on the Gutsy Babe Podcast. 3 00:00:08,715 --> 00:00:09,815 - I'm your host, Liz Hall, 4 00:00:09,835 --> 00:00:12,455 and welcome to this episode of the Gutsy Babe Podcast. 5 00:00:13,145 --> 00:00:16,535 Today we'll be talking about natural ways to treat GI issues 6 00:00:16,535 --> 00:00:19,215 with my special guest naturopathic physician 7 00:00:19,675 --> 00:00:20,815 Dr. Brian Myers. 8 00:00:21,115 --> 00:00:24,495 As a clinician, Dr. Myers is a compassionate listener 9 00:00:24,495 --> 00:00:27,695 who seeks to understand each person's unique experience 10 00:00:27,715 --> 00:00:28,735 and health story. 11 00:00:29,155 --> 00:00:30,415 His main goal is to teach 12 00:00:30,435 --> 00:00:31,775 and empower his patients 13 00:00:32,075 --> 00:00:34,535 to understand the factors impacting their health 14 00:00:34,715 --> 00:00:36,175 and longevity goals. 15 00:00:36,755 --> 00:00:39,135 Dr. Myers has an enthusiasm 16 00:00:39,155 --> 00:00:41,015 for staying up on the most current 17 00:00:41,415 --> 00:00:42,495 research and technologies. 18 00:00:42,875 --> 00:00:45,535 He uses the best conventional naturopathic 19 00:00:45,535 --> 00:00:48,775 and functional medicine to resolve underlying problems. 20 00:00:49,075 --> 00:00:51,095 He loves working together with his patients 21 00:00:51,095 --> 00:00:53,415 to resolve disease and improve longevity. 22 00:00:53,755 --> 00:00:55,135 His mission as a doctor is 23 00:00:55,135 --> 00:00:57,815 to promote a balanced path towards optimal 24 00:00:57,815 --> 00:00:58,935 health and longevity. 25 00:00:59,635 --> 00:01:01,575 Dr. Myers, welcome to the Gutsy Babe 26 00:01:01,575 --> 00:01:02,575 Podcast. - , 27 00:01:02,985 --> 00:01:04,535 thank you so much for having me. 28 00:01:05,315 --> 00:01:07,055 - Oh, I'm super excited about this. 29 00:01:07,295 --> 00:01:09,855 I have so many questions to ask. Are you ready? 30 00:01:10,375 --> 00:01:11,695 - I sure am. Awesome. 31 00:01:11,985 --> 00:01:13,175 - Let's get going here. 32 00:01:14,355 --> 00:01:16,085 What is a naturopathic physician 33 00:01:16,225 --> 00:01:18,045 and how do you differ from an md? 34 00:01:18,905 --> 00:01:20,285 - So we're primary care doctors. 35 00:01:20,625 --> 00:01:23,325 Um, we're licensed in several states throughout the country, 36 00:01:23,665 --> 00:01:25,125 and, uh, we, uh, 37 00:01:25,725 --> 00:01:27,845 complete four year accredited medical school degrees. 38 00:01:28,025 --> 00:01:29,765 Mm-Hmm. , and then we practice 39 00:01:29,825 --> 00:01:31,565 as outpatient primary care doctors. 40 00:01:32,145 --> 00:01:34,925 Um, I think the big ways 41 00:01:34,925 --> 00:01:38,365 that we differ from a conventional medical doctor is 42 00:01:38,365 --> 00:01:42,565 that we really, um, try to understand the root cause 43 00:01:42,625 --> 00:01:45,605 of pathology and address that while also trying 44 00:01:45,605 --> 00:01:47,045 to optimize for longevity. 45 00:01:47,505 --> 00:01:49,005 And I think those things, um, 46 00:01:49,355 --> 00:01:51,965 make us a little bit unique in our practices. 47 00:01:52,465 --> 00:01:55,575 - Oh, interesting. So how did you get involved 48 00:01:55,575 --> 00:01:56,895 with naturopathic medicine? 49 00:01:57,915 --> 00:02:00,695 - So, I, um, after undergrad I ended up, uh, 50 00:02:01,055 --> 00:02:03,695 teaching at a school on a reservation in rural 51 00:02:03,725 --> 00:02:05,015 Montana for a number of years. 52 00:02:05,075 --> 00:02:07,775 And, uh, through that I felt compelled to go back to school 53 00:02:07,795 --> 00:02:10,335 and study medicine and was pretty convinced at that time 54 00:02:10,335 --> 00:02:12,455 that I wanted to be in primary care. 55 00:02:12,715 --> 00:02:14,655 And, uh, ended up coming into contact 56 00:02:14,805 --> 00:02:16,175 with an undergrad friend of mine 57 00:02:16,175 --> 00:02:18,455 who had completed her naturopathic doctorate degree 58 00:02:18,475 --> 00:02:20,215 and said, well, if you want to be in primary care, 59 00:02:20,315 --> 00:02:22,735 you at least ought to consider naturopathic medicine. 60 00:02:22,835 --> 00:02:25,255 So I looked into it and applied, uh, along 61 00:02:25,255 --> 00:02:26,255 with some medical schools 62 00:02:26,315 --> 00:02:28,535 and ended up in Portland at the National 63 00:02:28,535 --> 00:02:29,895 University of National Medicine. 64 00:02:30,635 --> 00:02:32,695 So, yeah, I mean, it was a little unexpected, 65 00:02:32,835 --> 00:02:36,015 but when feeling resounded that I wanted 66 00:02:36,035 --> 00:02:38,495 to be in primary care, it seemed logical 67 00:02:38,755 --> 00:02:40,295 to be in a profession 68 00:02:40,295 --> 00:02:44,295 where I was expanding my primary care tool belt more 69 00:02:44,315 --> 00:02:47,215 so than I was learning highly specialized fields that 70 00:02:47,395 --> 00:02:49,775 for me personally, I didn't have the same 71 00:02:49,775 --> 00:02:50,815 level of interest in. 72 00:02:51,165 --> 00:02:52,655 - That. Makes sense. - Yeah. 73 00:02:52,875 --> 00:02:54,935 So I'm happy with my knowledge base now 74 00:02:55,475 --> 00:02:58,095 and my, my treatment strategies as a result. 75 00:02:58,855 --> 00:03:00,125 - I personally know you are very 76 00:03:00,125 --> 00:03:01,485 knowledgeable in your field. 77 00:03:02,295 --> 00:03:04,355 You practice something called functional medicine. 78 00:03:04,545 --> 00:03:07,315 What is it and how does it differ from mainstream medicine? 79 00:03:08,655 --> 00:03:11,615 - Functional medicine is a systems-based approach 80 00:03:11,795 --> 00:03:14,535 to addressing the underlying cause of disease. 81 00:03:14,635 --> 00:03:15,935 And I think that's part 82 00:03:15,935 --> 00:03:18,495 and parcel with un with naturopathic medicine. 83 00:03:18,555 --> 00:03:21,815 That's, uh, one of, you know, our philosophical tes is 84 00:03:21,835 --> 00:03:24,175 to understand the root cause and to address that. 85 00:03:24,395 --> 00:03:26,655 And so as I learned more 86 00:03:26,655 --> 00:03:28,775 and more about functional medicine, I just think, gosh, 87 00:03:28,845 --> 00:03:31,255 this is, this is the foundation of the medicine 88 00:03:31,255 --> 00:03:35,455 that I learned in, in my medical school, similar in, in, 89 00:03:35,475 --> 00:03:37,215 in a lot of ways to how I practice. 90 00:03:37,955 --> 00:03:40,895 - Oh, you see a lot of, of patients with GI issues. 91 00:03:41,045 --> 00:03:43,615 What are some of the GI health challenges you commonly 92 00:03:43,615 --> 00:03:44,655 treat in your practice? 93 00:03:45,885 --> 00:03:48,365 - I think the big things that come to mind are infections 94 00:03:48,985 --> 00:03:52,005 and, uh, like leaky gut food intolerance, 95 00:03:52,005 --> 00:03:54,845 inflammatory issues beyond those two. 96 00:03:55,565 --> 00:03:59,525 I think about nutrition impacting microbiome and motility. 97 00:03:59,945 --> 00:04:01,405 So those are kind of the big things 98 00:04:01,405 --> 00:04:03,325 that I see impacting gut health, 99 00:04:03,385 --> 00:04:05,045 and that can manifest in a lot 100 00:04:05,045 --> 00:04:07,005 of different ways from one person to the next. 101 00:04:08,035 --> 00:04:10,535 - Do you think hormonal issues come into factor 102 00:04:10,555 --> 00:04:11,655 as well into your gut? 103 00:04:12,375 --> 00:04:15,175 - Absolutely. 100% they do. Yeah. 104 00:04:15,375 --> 00:04:17,895 I mean, those are important, uh, signals 105 00:04:17,995 --> 00:04:20,055 for all facets to our body. 106 00:04:20,115 --> 00:04:22,935 And so if, if there's hormonal imbalance 107 00:04:23,035 --> 00:04:24,655 or if there's hormonal tissue 108 00:04:24,715 --> 00:04:26,975 or that's, um, in different locations, 109 00:04:26,975 --> 00:04:29,655 that can certainly give way to motility or, 110 00:04:30,115 --> 00:04:35,095 or GI symptoms altering the microbiome increasing likelihood 111 00:04:35,095 --> 00:04:38,215 for infection a hundred percent, um, integral. 112 00:04:39,225 --> 00:04:40,995 - Yeah, that's, I truly feel 113 00:04:41,615 --> 00:04:43,715 that's always been a lot of my girlfriends. 114 00:04:43,715 --> 00:04:45,835 Just last night I was talking to a girlfriend of mine 115 00:04:45,935 --> 00:04:48,275 and she was complaining of her GI issues, 116 00:04:48,935 --> 00:04:51,675 and I mentioned it to her personal, I'm like, 117 00:04:51,895 --> 00:04:53,315 you should check your hormones out . 118 00:04:53,935 --> 00:04:55,355 You should go to Dr. Myers . 119 00:04:57,335 --> 00:05:00,155 - You're exactly right. And some people might notice then 120 00:05:00,155 --> 00:05:02,275 that they have like a shift in those symptoms 121 00:05:02,345 --> 00:05:04,475 with the same periodicity as their cycle. 122 00:05:04,775 --> 00:05:06,315 You know, as they're coming onto their cycle, 123 00:05:06,345 --> 00:05:07,955 they might feel more constipated 124 00:05:08,055 --> 00:05:10,835 or have an increase in like more GI distress or, 125 00:05:11,175 --> 00:05:12,475 or as they're leaving it. 126 00:05:12,475 --> 00:05:15,435 And so, yeah, those are certainly things to be mindful of. 127 00:05:15,455 --> 00:05:18,395 And and part of what we do is try to figure out what 128 00:05:18,395 --> 00:05:19,595 that underlying cause is. 129 00:05:19,865 --> 00:05:23,115 Yeah. If there's an endocrine component as well. Absolutely. 130 00:05:23,405 --> 00:05:25,475 - Right. For me personally, I know 131 00:05:25,705 --> 00:05:30,675 that when I was on my cycle, I'd get diarrhea mm-Hmm. . 132 00:05:30,755 --> 00:05:33,675 But on my regular, when I wasn't on my cycle, 133 00:05:34,435 --> 00:05:35,675 I would be constipated. 134 00:05:35,945 --> 00:05:39,315 This is earlier on, on in my early days prior 135 00:05:39,415 --> 00:05:41,995 to being diagnosed with my endometriosis to figure out 136 00:05:41,995 --> 00:05:43,035 that that was my root cause. 137 00:05:43,745 --> 00:05:45,115 - Yeah. Fascinating. 138 00:05:46,315 --> 00:05:48,055 - So for each of those disorders, 139 00:05:48,115 --> 00:05:51,095 how do your treatments differ from mainstream approaches 140 00:05:51,195 --> 00:05:53,375 and why do you feel your approach is superior? 141 00:05:54,785 --> 00:05:58,005 - Uh, well, um, not always superior. 142 00:05:58,155 --> 00:05:59,885 Sometimes they can be variable, 143 00:05:59,945 --> 00:06:02,245 but I mean, uh, so let's just kind of take those, 144 00:06:02,465 --> 00:06:03,605 um, off the list. 145 00:06:03,705 --> 00:06:06,605 So with infections, I think, um, it, it varies. 146 00:06:06,785 --> 00:06:11,005 Uh, I think antifungals, um, don't have quite as many, uh, 147 00:06:11,005 --> 00:06:12,165 unsavory side effects, 148 00:06:12,305 --> 00:06:13,325 but the, uh, 149 00:06:13,325 --> 00:06:17,085 herbal antifungals I have really great success with. 150 00:06:17,545 --> 00:06:20,685 Um, with the bacterial infections, 151 00:06:21,085 --> 00:06:23,965 I think we're pretty clearly establishing 152 00:06:24,035 --> 00:06:28,325 that there can be a lot of downstream unsavory side effects 153 00:06:28,585 --> 00:06:32,525 to antibiotic use either in the short term or the long term. 154 00:06:33,065 --> 00:06:35,565 And so in that, those instances, 155 00:06:35,875 --> 00:06:38,445 I've found herbal approaches to be more gentle 156 00:06:38,665 --> 00:06:42,805 and less, uh, detrimental to the overall microbiome. 157 00:06:42,905 --> 00:06:45,325 And so in those instances, I tend to prefer them. 158 00:06:45,825 --> 00:06:49,445 Um, and I have had really great success with my herbals for, 159 00:06:49,545 --> 00:06:52,285 uh, a NP for, for treating parasites as well. 160 00:06:52,345 --> 00:06:54,405 So I feel real comfortable with those as well. 161 00:06:54,985 --> 00:06:57,205 Um, and then the other things, it's a lot 162 00:06:57,205 --> 00:06:59,965 of times it's about addressing nutrition, you know, 163 00:06:59,965 --> 00:07:03,645 protein plants and fat primarily as, uh, effective agents 164 00:07:03,665 --> 00:07:06,245 for motility and also improving the microbiome. 165 00:07:06,625 --> 00:07:07,725 And then I think beyond that, 166 00:07:07,985 --> 00:07:12,325 the conventional medical model only allows for certain types 167 00:07:12,385 --> 00:07:15,405 of allergic responses, particularly IgE 168 00:07:15,505 --> 00:07:17,005 or anaphylactic reactions. 169 00:07:17,005 --> 00:07:19,565 And it can be variable whether you'll get a practitioner 170 00:07:19,655 --> 00:07:23,685 who's willing to entertain the idea of IgG or IGA reactions. 171 00:07:23,685 --> 00:07:25,445 And those are different parts of one's immune system, 172 00:07:25,465 --> 00:07:27,285 but can certainly manifest with, uh, 173 00:07:27,595 --> 00:07:29,685 delayed inflammatory responses. 174 00:07:29,745 --> 00:07:30,805 And, and those are things 175 00:07:30,805 --> 00:07:33,245 that can sometimes be misunderstood 176 00:07:33,465 --> 00:07:36,365 or misidentified in conventional medicine, 177 00:07:36,365 --> 00:07:39,205 whereas we can find really effective strategies 178 00:07:39,205 --> 00:07:40,245 for addressing those things. 179 00:07:40,425 --> 00:07:41,565 And, and, uh, 180 00:07:41,985 --> 00:07:44,565 and moving forward for treating leaky gut as it were. 181 00:07:45,535 --> 00:07:48,965 - Right. What are your thoughts about the roles that food 182 00:07:49,065 --> 00:07:51,365 and supplements should play in treatment? 183 00:07:52,465 --> 00:07:54,675 - Yeah, I mean, I think the most important thing 184 00:07:54,675 --> 00:07:56,355 to remember is food is medicine, right? 185 00:07:56,355 --> 00:07:59,715 Like, this is what we're providing to our body at all times, 186 00:08:00,065 --> 00:08:03,475 primarily as an opportunity for our selves 187 00:08:03,655 --> 00:08:05,475 to utilize that, right? 188 00:08:05,575 --> 00:08:08,915 To make us a better person, to make us the next self, 189 00:08:09,055 --> 00:08:12,195 to re-energize us, to, um, repair 190 00:08:12,215 --> 00:08:14,355 and regenerate all of the cellular tissue. 191 00:08:14,415 --> 00:08:17,155 And so we need to be mindful of that when we eat, 192 00:08:17,265 --> 00:08:19,235 it's not a burden or a chore, 193 00:08:19,375 --> 00:08:21,795 but it also should be with a little bit of strategy 194 00:08:21,795 --> 00:08:25,275 because we're trying to like replenish this human body 195 00:08:25,855 --> 00:08:27,075 and we can't just do 196 00:08:27,075 --> 00:08:29,075 that without a little bit of care and respect. 197 00:08:29,375 --> 00:08:30,755 And so I think that's the first 198 00:08:30,755 --> 00:08:31,795 and most important thing 199 00:08:31,795 --> 00:08:33,435 to remember is that food is medicine. 200 00:08:33,455 --> 00:08:36,315 And then after that, like I find supplements 201 00:08:36,335 --> 00:08:38,955 to be very effective when we're trying 202 00:08:38,955 --> 00:08:41,715 to optimize nutrition, sleep, physical activity, 203 00:08:41,735 --> 00:08:42,755 and stress management. 204 00:08:43,175 --> 00:08:44,875 But I really try to stress 205 00:08:44,875 --> 00:08:47,515 that those things are paramount to optimizing health. 206 00:08:47,655 --> 00:08:49,995 And so we need to be addressing those pillars of health, 207 00:08:50,255 --> 00:08:53,875 and we look at labs, we marry that with how 208 00:08:54,475 --> 00:08:56,325 somebody's experiencing this world, 209 00:08:56,825 --> 00:09:00,245 and we try to make strategic supplemental interventions 210 00:09:00,385 --> 00:09:03,685 for the short and perhaps long term to again, 211 00:09:04,205 --> 00:09:05,365 optimize for health and longevity. 212 00:09:05,625 --> 00:09:07,365 So, or remove disease, 213 00:09:07,905 --> 00:09:09,405 - You're right, food is medicine 214 00:09:09,825 --> 00:09:12,565 and that's why you always tell me to cut the sugar . 215 00:09:17,795 --> 00:09:18,085 Yeah. 216 00:09:18,665 --> 00:09:19,965 - But it's so delicious, so delicious. 217 00:09:20,995 --> 00:09:25,165 - . It's, so what tips do you have 218 00:09:25,305 --> 00:09:26,845 for consumers when it comes 219 00:09:26,845 --> 00:09:29,005 to purchasing more effective supplements? 220 00:09:30,125 --> 00:09:33,335 - Seek a professional, definitely find somebody who's 221 00:09:33,335 --> 00:09:35,935 knowledge and comfortable and understands 222 00:09:36,075 --> 00:09:38,815 and marry that, like I said, with your experience. 223 00:09:38,815 --> 00:09:40,495 Like, are they effective for you? 224 00:09:40,955 --> 00:09:43,295 Are they clinically effective on lab work? 225 00:09:43,755 --> 00:09:45,375 Um, those things would be valuable 226 00:09:45,375 --> 00:09:46,455 to take into consideration. 227 00:09:46,955 --> 00:09:50,575 Uh, beyond that, um, take a more active role in your health. 228 00:09:50,765 --> 00:09:54,855 Like, this is your price of admission to life, to this ride. 229 00:09:55,285 --> 00:09:57,455 This is what you have to live in and to be with. 230 00:09:57,515 --> 00:10:00,935 And so I try to optimize it to the degree that you can so 231 00:10:00,935 --> 00:10:04,535 that you can live longer, better, faster, more enjoyably. 232 00:10:05,485 --> 00:10:08,775 - Yeah. So one of the supplements that you have recommended 233 00:10:08,775 --> 00:10:10,775 that I've been on now for several years is 234 00:10:10,795 --> 00:10:11,815 the DIM supplement. 235 00:10:11,995 --> 00:10:13,695 And that has really, really, 236 00:10:13,745 --> 00:10:17,495 truly has changed my life when it comes to my hormones. 237 00:10:18,155 --> 00:10:21,175 Um, I used to call 'em like my old lady aches and pains. 238 00:10:21,515 --> 00:10:24,535 Um, it literally takes those old lady aches and pains away . 239 00:10:25,965 --> 00:10:27,615 Yeah. So I thank you for that. 240 00:10:28,275 --> 00:10:31,735 And what was crucial regarding the dim is I had 241 00:10:31,735 --> 00:10:32,775 to increase the amount 242 00:10:32,835 --> 00:10:35,375 and you were the one that told me to increase the amount 243 00:10:35,555 --> 00:10:38,895 to help me because even though it says like, take one 244 00:10:38,895 --> 00:10:40,815 or two, I have to take four, 245 00:10:40,815 --> 00:10:43,055 because your body, you know, uh, 246 00:10:43,125 --> 00:10:44,815 absorbs it differently, so Right. 247 00:10:45,155 --> 00:10:47,935 Or it just, that's what I need. Well, we, 248 00:10:48,285 --> 00:10:51,495 - Yeah, we have the opportunity with certain labs like, uh, 249 00:10:51,625 --> 00:10:54,095 Dutch test for example, where we can look at some 250 00:10:54,095 --> 00:10:56,015 of those estrogen elimination pathways 251 00:10:56,015 --> 00:10:58,495 and see if we've found a therapeutic dose yet or not. 252 00:10:58,715 --> 00:11:01,735 So, you know, that can be really helpful for understanding 253 00:11:01,915 --> 00:11:04,215 how that medicine is impacting you. 254 00:11:04,515 --> 00:11:06,775 And the other thing is, yeah, we're trying to find 255 00:11:06,775 --> 00:11:09,615 that therapeutic dose and in that, but also do it safely. 256 00:11:10,155 --> 00:11:12,335 And that's again, where we need to circle back 257 00:11:12,335 --> 00:11:13,655 to the previous question of like, 258 00:11:14,155 --> 00:11:15,815 how do you find effective supplements? 259 00:11:15,815 --> 00:11:16,975 Seek a practitioners 260 00:11:17,035 --> 00:11:19,255 so you're not taking an unsafe amount Yeah. 261 00:11:19,725 --> 00:11:20,975 That you're finding the right dose. 262 00:11:21,515 --> 00:11:23,255 - No, it's so true. Um, 263 00:11:23,415 --> 00:11:25,735 - I that might vary also with time too, 264 00:11:26,125 --> 00:11:27,615 with you and anybody else. 265 00:11:28,205 --> 00:11:30,175 - Yeah. Our bodies are constantly changing. 266 00:11:31,005 --> 00:11:34,375 What are some of the worst and best foods for GI health? 267 00:11:35,225 --> 00:11:36,975 - Let's start with the worst. Uh, sugar. 268 00:11:37,065 --> 00:11:38,935 Sugar by another name. Alcohol. 269 00:11:39,555 --> 00:11:41,135 That's, that's, that's about it. 270 00:11:41,475 --> 00:11:43,975 Uh, what are the best protein plants and fats? 271 00:11:44,495 --> 00:11:47,975 I think, um, if I could just say a little bit more about 272 00:11:47,975 --> 00:11:50,175 that, I would just quote Michael Pollen 273 00:11:50,195 --> 00:11:53,045 and he said, eat food mostly plants, not a lot, lot. 274 00:11:53,185 --> 00:11:55,925 And I think that that really resonates if you just take 275 00:11:55,965 --> 00:11:57,005 a moment and think about that. 276 00:11:57,785 --> 00:12:00,805 And then also are mindful that at your meals, you're able 277 00:12:00,805 --> 00:12:04,245 to easily identify, these are my protein plant fat sources. 278 00:12:04,935 --> 00:12:06,685 Those are the things I think that are really 279 00:12:07,325 --> 00:12:08,405 optimal for GI health. 280 00:12:09,075 --> 00:12:12,765 - Okay. Can I ask you, is is popcorn good for you or 281 00:12:12,785 --> 00:12:13,785 bad ? - ? 282 00:12:13,945 --> 00:12:18,605 It depends. I mean, I mean, um, some popcorn I'm, uh, . 283 00:12:20,005 --> 00:12:24,245 I, I think it's hard to argue is popcorn good for you? 284 00:12:24,705 --> 00:12:26,445 Uh, but I don't think that it's horrible. 285 00:12:26,505 --> 00:12:29,005 And, and I think that there's a lot 286 00:12:29,005 --> 00:12:31,245 of variability from one person to the next. 287 00:12:31,425 --> 00:12:33,925 It might be fun to wear a continuous glucose monitor 288 00:12:34,065 --> 00:12:37,485 and see how some amount of popcorn affects your blood sugar 289 00:12:37,905 --> 00:12:39,325 and from one person to the next. 290 00:12:39,425 --> 00:12:43,165 The magnitude and duration of that would help understand 291 00:12:43,385 --> 00:12:45,525 how bad that popcorn is for somebody. 292 00:12:45,585 --> 00:12:47,685 But I mean, it's delicious , 293 00:12:48,525 --> 00:12:50,965 um, probably not a bag. 294 00:12:52,175 --> 00:12:55,425 - Also. What about oatmeal? I feel that it's controversial. 295 00:12:55,845 --> 00:12:57,985 So they say oatmeal is good for you, 296 00:12:58,085 --> 00:13:01,025 but yet sometimes I've also read that it's not, 297 00:13:01,525 --> 00:13:03,465 so can you share some light on that? 298 00:13:04,175 --> 00:13:07,065 - Yeah. Um, I think just jumping back to 299 00:13:07,305 --> 00:13:09,185 what I'd said about wearing a CGM, 300 00:13:09,335 --> 00:13:11,265 it's probably not great for your blood sugar. 301 00:13:11,405 --> 00:13:13,745 And there are certainly things that you could do 302 00:13:13,805 --> 00:13:16,345 or one could do to kind of hack that maybe 303 00:13:16,405 --> 00:13:17,705 by adding some more protein 304 00:13:18,325 --> 00:13:21,985 or, uh, healthy fat to the, that, um, oatmeal to kind 305 00:13:21,985 --> 00:13:23,985 of buffer the blood sugar dysfunction 306 00:13:24,045 --> 00:13:25,065 you might otherwise have. 307 00:13:25,805 --> 00:13:27,585 Um, beyond that, I mean, 308 00:13:27,655 --> 00:13:30,025 it's a pretty well tolerated food when 309 00:13:30,025 --> 00:13:31,185 people aren't feeling well. 310 00:13:31,365 --> 00:13:34,745 And so from that standpoint, it's, it's not horrible . 311 00:13:36,045 --> 00:13:38,545 It tastes great. It's really, uh, it's really, 312 00:13:38,605 --> 00:13:39,945 uh, a nice comfort food. 313 00:13:40,695 --> 00:13:44,425 - It's true. So how would you add a protein to your oatmeal? 314 00:13:45,135 --> 00:13:47,305 - Oatmeal? Well, you could add eggs. 315 00:13:47,615 --> 00:13:49,505 Some people would add like a nut butter. 316 00:13:50,125 --> 00:13:51,505 - Oh, a nut butter. Okay. 317 00:13:52,645 --> 00:13:55,905 So we hear a lot about probiotics and prebiotics. 318 00:13:56,575 --> 00:13:57,945 Well, can you explain what they 319 00:13:57,945 --> 00:13:58,985 are and what the differences? 320 00:14:00,895 --> 00:14:05,265 - Sure. So, uh, prebiotics are kind 321 00:14:05,265 --> 00:14:06,345 of like the fertilizer 322 00:14:06,345 --> 00:14:10,745 or the substrate that creates the, uh, foundation for 323 00:14:11,365 --> 00:14:14,625 the microbiome that inhabits our gut. 324 00:14:15,125 --> 00:14:19,065 And the probiotics would be those types 325 00:14:19,085 --> 00:14:20,305 of beneficial bacteria. 326 00:14:20,845 --> 00:14:24,345 And so some examples of prebiotic foods would be like onions 327 00:14:24,345 --> 00:14:28,945 and garlic and asparagus and artichokes, bananas, apples 328 00:14:28,945 --> 00:14:32,145 and leeks and probiotic foods that we kind 329 00:14:32,145 --> 00:14:34,385 of commonly eat would be our fermented foods. 330 00:14:34,445 --> 00:14:38,945 So like sauerkraut, kefi, kimchi, kombucha, uh, 331 00:14:39,155 --> 00:14:41,345 Tempe yogurt, those sorts of things. 332 00:14:42,875 --> 00:14:45,735 - You recommend people to take a prebiotic 333 00:14:45,735 --> 00:14:49,015 and a probiotic daily, or does it depend? 334 00:14:50,125 --> 00:14:52,445 - Yeah, I mean, it certainly could be beneficial 335 00:14:52,545 --> 00:14:53,965 to take those things regularly. 336 00:14:54,055 --> 00:14:57,325 There are lab tests that are helpful for evaluating whether 337 00:14:57,345 --> 00:14:59,125 that's how urgent 338 00:14:59,265 --> 00:15:01,645 or imperative that might be from one person to the next. 339 00:15:01,825 --> 00:15:04,125 And then I think the other thing is with, uh, 340 00:15:04,125 --> 00:15:07,605 like a general intention of improving microbial diversity, 341 00:15:08,405 --> 00:15:12,365 rotating probiotics seems to be, um, an effective strategy 342 00:15:12,985 --> 00:15:16,645 and also improving the range of plants 343 00:15:16,645 --> 00:15:20,125 that you're eating is an effective strategy for improving 344 00:15:20,345 --> 00:15:23,365 or optimizing your prebiotic foundation, as it were. 345 00:15:23,735 --> 00:15:26,485 - Let's say, I just wanted to do one or the other, not both. 346 00:15:26,735 --> 00:15:29,605 Would you recommend a prebiotic or a probiotic? 347 00:15:30,635 --> 00:15:33,435 - I would say eat nutritious foods and have a probiotic. 348 00:15:33,865 --> 00:15:37,735 - Okay. So if a person could only make three lifestyle 349 00:15:37,735 --> 00:15:40,255 changes to promote optimal GI health, 350 00:15:40,525 --> 00:15:41,695 what would you recommend? 351 00:15:42,475 --> 00:15:43,575 - Refine your nutrition, 352 00:15:43,675 --> 00:15:45,775 and that includes what we've talked about, 353 00:15:46,115 --> 00:15:48,615 and also making sure that you're well hydrated. 354 00:15:49,275 --> 00:15:51,895 On top of that, I would say make sure 355 00:15:51,895 --> 00:15:53,655 that you're optimizing for sleep. 356 00:15:54,055 --> 00:15:56,695 I think that sleep can oftentimes be overlooked, 357 00:15:56,755 --> 00:15:59,255 but is an important part of our overall wellbeing 358 00:15:59,355 --> 00:16:00,575 and our GI motility. 359 00:16:00,955 --> 00:16:02,895 And so that's something that, um, 360 00:16:03,075 --> 00:16:05,015 and I mean our longevity as well. 361 00:16:05,315 --> 00:16:07,495 And so I, I think that those, if if we, 362 00:16:07,495 --> 00:16:09,295 if we're just picking three, I'm picking those two. 363 00:16:09,395 --> 00:16:12,775 And then I'm gonna also say, uh, aim for regular consistent. 364 00:16:12,775 --> 00:16:14,135 Well-formed bowel movements, 365 00:16:14,195 --> 00:16:16,735 and if you're not experiencing that, then seek help. 366 00:16:17,205 --> 00:16:20,745 - Yeah. All right, Dr. Myers, so how can people reach you 367 00:16:20,765 --> 00:16:21,905 and find out about you? 368 00:16:23,105 --> 00:16:25,565 - I'm available at Walnut Creek Naturopathic. 369 00:16:26,355 --> 00:16:28,495 That's in Walnut Creek, California. 370 00:16:28,955 --> 00:16:32,295 Um, our web clinic website is Walnut Creek Naturopathic, 371 00:16:32,355 --> 00:16:36,415 and the phone number is (925) 939-0300. 372 00:16:37,745 --> 00:16:40,125 - And just a note, just because your office is in Walnut 373 00:16:40,125 --> 00:16:42,245 Creek, California does not mean 374 00:16:42,635 --> 00:16:45,285 that anywhere anyone can't reach out to you 375 00:16:45,285 --> 00:16:49,325 because you do Zoom meetings, right? Virtual. 376 00:16:49,625 --> 00:16:50,765 - That's right, that's right. 377 00:16:50,905 --> 00:16:54,765 I'm available across California, uh, via telemedicine 378 00:16:54,825 --> 00:16:57,885 for first and follow appointments as well. Absolutely. 379 00:16:58,235 --> 00:17:00,005 - Amazing. Great. 380 00:17:00,715 --> 00:17:03,725 Well, thank you so much Dr. Myers for joining us today. 381 00:17:04,395 --> 00:17:07,445 It's been a true honor and such a pleasure having you here. 382 00:17:07,985 --> 00:17:09,725 - You're very welcome. It's been my pleasure. 383 00:17:09,755 --> 00:17:11,445 I've had a wonderful time. Thank you so much. 384 00:17:12,515 --> 00:17:14,725 - Well, that's it for this episode, so don't forget 385 00:17:14,725 --> 00:17:17,125 to hit the subscribe button for more gutsy babe content. 386 00:17:17,545 --> 00:17:19,245 See you next week on another installment 387 00:17:19,245 --> 00:17:20,765 of The Gutsy Babe podcast. 388 00:17:22,055 --> 00:17:24,035 - Is it hard to go when you are on the go? 389 00:17:24,385 --> 00:17:26,235 Well, you're not alone Traveler's. 390 00:17:26,235 --> 00:17:27,875 Constipation affects millions daily. 391 00:17:28,285 --> 00:17:30,515 Don't let irregularity ruin your next trip. 392 00:17:30,895 --> 00:17:33,315 Try Travel Ease, especially formulated 393 00:17:33,315 --> 00:17:36,155 to keep you going on your next vacation or business trip. 394 00:17:36,335 --> 00:17:38,995 Unlike common over the counter therapies for constipation, 395 00:17:39,415 --> 00:17:42,315 travel ease is all natural, doesn't produce cramping 396 00:17:42,455 --> 00:17:43,475 and won't dehydrate. 397 00:17:43,615 --> 00:17:47,675 You wanna find out more? 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