Refresh Your Soul

  The Rising Tide of Digestive Disorders: A Functional Perspective on Modern Root Causes Digestive disorders have become increasingly prevalent over the past decade, with rising rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer in younger adults, and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). While genetics play a role, the sharp increase in prevalence over a short period suggests significant environmental and lifestyle shifts as key drivers. From depleted soil nutrients to modern dietary patterns, chronic stress, trauma, and toxic exposures, a functional medicine lens helps us connect these dots in understanding why our collective gut health is under strain.   1. Decreased Mineral Density in Soil The modern industrialized food system emphasizes yield and efficiency, often at the expense of soil quality. Over time, the mineral content of soil has declined, reducing the nutritional value of produce. Hooda et al. (2004) highlight ho...

  A Functional Medicine Approach to SIBO and Methane Overgrowth Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and its methane-dominant form—now termed Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO)—are key contributors to chronic digestive complaints such as bloating, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. While conventional treatment often relies on symptom suppression or singular pharmaceutical approaches, the functional medicine model aims to uncover the root causes behind these overgrowths and restore balance to the gut ecosystem. By integrating advanced testing, targeted nutrition, herbal antimicrobials, and motility support, this approach provides both relief and resilience.   Understanding SIBO and Methane Overgrowth SIBO is characterized by an abnormal increase in the population of bacteria in the small intestine, typically resulting from impaired motility, post-infectious changes, or structural anomalies. In contrast, IMO is caused by an overgrowth of archaea, such as Methan...

  Navigating Travel Constipation: Tips for Maintaining Digestive Health on the Go Traveling—whether for leisure or business—can be exhilarating, but for many, it also disrupts a crucial part of daily wellness: regular bowel movements.  Travel constipation is a common yet often overlooked condition that affects both frequent flyers and occasional vacationers.  Understanding its causes and implementing preventive strategies can help support gut health, ensuring your journey is as comfortable as it is memorable. What Causes Travel Constipation? Constipation during travel is typically multifactorial. The primary contributing factors include: Changes in routine : Our digestive system thrives on regularity. Travel often alters meal times, sleep schedules, and bathroom habits, disrupting the body’s natural rhythm (Staller, 2017). Dehydration : Long flights, hot climates, and increased caffeine or alcohol intake can lead to fluid loss, reducing the wa...

  Beat the Bloat: Travel-Friendly Foods and Digestive Tips for Life on the Go Whether you're catching flights or navigating packed schedules, keeping digestion smooth and bloat-free can be challenging. Bloating is a common gastrointestinal complaint that can arise from dietary triggers, stress, irregular meals, or poor hydration—especially when traveling.  Choosing the right foods and maintaining simple habits can help keep your gut calm and digestion efficient, no matter where life takes you. Understanding Bloating and Its Common Triggers Bloating can occur when gas builds up in the gastrointestinal tract or when the body retains water. Common culprits include: High-FODMAP foods (fermentable carbohydrates) Carbonated beverages Artificial sweeteners (like sorbitol or xylitol) Dairy (for those with lactose intolerance) Poor hydration and irregular eating Eating on the go or while stressed (Ford et al., 2020) Bloat-Free Foods for On-the...

  Where Do Gut Issues Come From Introduction: A Question Without a Simple Answer As a colon hydrotherapist, nutritionist, and educator, one of the most common questions I hear is: “How did I end up with these gut issues?” Constipation, bloating, IBS, inflammation—it often feels like they appeared out of nowhere. But the truth is: gut dysfunction is rarely sudden. It is layered, complex, and influenced by a constellation of physical, emotional, and environmental factors. What I know today as a practitioner may evolve tomorrow. That’s the beauty—and challenge—of science. But what remains constant is this: the gut is the center of our health , and understanding its roots can unlock powerful healing. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the key contributing factors to gut dysfunction—many of which I explore in my book RYSE From Within: A Guide to Heal Your Gut —and the science behind how they shape our digestive health. 1. Genetics: The Blueprint—but Not the Destiny Som...

  Colon Hydrotherapy & the Struggle to Educate Conventional Medicine A call for integration, awareness, and updated clinical understanding By Wendy — Integrative Colon Hydrotherapist, Educator & Author of RYSE From Within: A Guide to Heal Your Gut Introduction: A Growing Divide Despite the growing popularity of integrative therapies and the rise in gut-related disorders, colon hydrotherapy (CHT) continues to face resistance—particularly from conventional and allopathic practitioners. While many clients experience significant improvements in digestion, detoxification, and emotional well-being, physicians often remain dismissive or skeptical. Why? My hypothesis: This resistance stems from (1) outdated medical training, (2) variability in hydrotherapy practices, and (3) misinformation around safety and efficacy. Yet the scientific literature increasingly supports CHT as a gentle, effective method for relieving constipation, improving quality of life, and even...