I’ll let you in on a secret. Until recently, I had almost exclusively stopped using food sensitivity testing in clinical practice. I will explain the reasons for this in this article, but more importantly, I will explain why I now see the value of food sensitivity testing in 2024. It all starts with cognitive bias. We’re all guilty of it. My political party is … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 59: What are spore-based probiotics, and how can they help?
In this episode, we look at a standalone category of digestive intervention and ask what spore-based probiotics are and how they can help. Find out what gives them their name. Spore-based bacteria are better thought of as spore-forming bacteria. Spores are dormant life forms that can germinate or seed bacteria. Spore-based probiotics have risen in popularity because of … [Read more...]
Article: What are spore-based probiotics, and how can they help?
Spore-based probiotics are genuinely a new category of their own, and they have multiple applications in helping people solve their digestive and gut issues. But what gives spore-based probiotics their name? Spore-based bacteria are better thought of as spore-forming bacteria. Spores are dormant life forms that have the ability to germinate or seed bacteria.[1] When … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 49: What is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)?
The dietary inflammatory index, or DII, is an index that helps link diet, inflammation and disease development. In this Free and Inspired radio episode, learn more about this evolving way to assess how inflammatory your diet might be. Why is inflammation significant when it comes to your overall healthspan? Well, chances are that you know someone affected by … [Read more...]
What is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)?
The dietary inflammatory index or DII helps link diet, inflammation and disease development. Now in its second iteration, the index brings together forty-five different parameters to assess the inflammatory potential of your diet.[1] Over the last fifteen years, researchers have been collating studies highlighting different foods and their contributions to chronic … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 47: A Beginner’s Guide to Probiotics – Part 2
Welcome to part two of one of the most downloaded Free and Inspired radio episodes – A Beginner’s Guide to probiotics. In part one of the guide, which you can listen to here, find out what a probiotic is and some tips and tricks to get started if you’ve never taken them. In this episode, discover some of the conditions where probiotics have evidence behind them and where … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 46: Vitamin D for IBS, sleep and depression.
We're diving deeper into Vitamin D in this Free and Inspired Radio episode. We all know it is for bone health, but what about IBS, depression, sleep and protection from viral infections? Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Hong Kong. Mainly due to the climate, estimates are between sixty to seventy per cent of Hong Kong residents are deficient. This … [Read more...]
Correct Vitamin D deficiency for IBS, sleep and immunity?
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Hong Kong. So much so that it’s more of a surprise when my patient’s blood tests return showing sufficiency. There are a few reasons for this high level of deficiency that we are going to cover in the article. One of the main reasons Vitamin D is so important is the variety of functions it performs in the body. A key … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 44: Three steps to get your IBS under control.
IBS can take over your day and hijack your mind in such a short time. I did a radio spot on RTHK national radio here in Hong Kong, where we introduced how it can affect people. To explain the context of how it affects people, consider the following question: Can you imagine feeling progressively more unwell with every meal you eat, every day, for months or years? It … [Read more...]
Article: What steps to take when your IBS is out of control?
IBS can get out of control, take over your day and hijack your mind in such a short time. I did a radio spot on RTHK national radio here in Hong Kong, where we introduced how IBS can affect people. To explain the context of how it affects people, I asked the following question: Can you imagine feeling progressively more unwell with every meal you eat, every day, for … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 43: Melatonin for IBS and Depression?
In this episode of Free and Inspired radio, discover how Melatonin works in the body. For example, find out how it interacts with other hormones such as cortisol, some things you didn’t know (Melatonin and IBS?!) and, of course, some guidelines on how to take it. Melatonin use is rising sharply post-pandemic and is often polarising in its effects. Some find … [Read more...]
Article: Hydrogen Sulfide and SIBO – Why hasn’t your treatment worked yet?
Hydrogen sulfide can often be the missing link for people who have treated their SIBO but haven't seen their symptoms resolve. This article will help you understand this gas a little better and what steps to take to see if it's appropriate to you. So you’ve been through the biphasic diet to fix your IBS, SIBO and gut health issues and have worked hard to get to the … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 42: Hydrogen sulphide and SIBO symptoms that won’t budge
In this Free and Inspired radio episode, find out if hydrogen sulphide is the missing link if your SIBO breath test comes back clear, but you still have IBS symptoms. You’ve been through the biphasic diet to fix your SIBO and gut health issues and have worked hard to get to the retest to see how things have gone. You feel better than you did when you started. However, the … [Read more...]
Article: Is coffee good for you?
Most people think they should stop drinking coffee. In my clinic, it belongs to the holy triad of things people think they should cut down or quit when they aren’t feeling optimal. It’s either red meat, alcohol or coffee that gets the chop if things are going well. Contrary to my article on alcohol (spoiler alert: it’s not good for you), I’m here to offer a somewhat … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 39: Half the world has H.pylori, do you?
Based on a study in 2015, H.pylori infection has affected up to 4.4 billion individuals worldwide. How come so many people have had this, and I’ve never heard of it? There are a few reasons. Most of the time, the higher prevalence rates are in developing countries, with the African continent estimated to have up to an eighty per cent infection … [Read more...]