Refresh Your Soul

                                                     Natural Ways to Improve Vagus Nerve Function The vagus nerve, sometimes called the “wandering nerve,” is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It connects the brain to the heart, lungs, and digestive system, making it central to the parasympathetic nervous system. Its function is measured by vagal tone, which reflects how well the body can relax, recover, and maintain balance. High vagal tone is associated with better digestion, lower inflammation, improved heart rate variability, and greater resilience to stress. Fortunately, there are several natural and evidence-based ways to stimulate the vagus nerve and strengthen vagal tone. Deep Breathing and Breathwork One of the simplest and most effective ways to activate the vagus nerve is through slow, diaphragmatic breathing. Extending the exhale activate...

  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...

  How Stress Impacts the Microbiome, SIBO, and IMO Stress has long been recognized as a driver of imbalance in the human body, but its effects on the gut—and specifically on conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO)—are profound. Emerging research highlights the intricate relationship between stress, gut health, and these overgrowth conditions, revealing how the gut and brain communicate in ways that significantly influence our well-being. By understanding these mechanisms, we can develop holistic approaches to healing and achieving better gut health. The Role of Stress and the HPA Axis in Gut Health Stress triggers a cascade of physiological responses, largely mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This central stress-response system regulates the release of cortisol, a hormone designed to help the body respond to stress. However, chronic stress can dysregulate this axis, leading to prolonged elevate...

  Understanding SIBO and IMO: An Integrative Approach to Gut Health The health of our gut is central to our overall well-being, influencing everything from energy levels to immune function. Among the various factors that can disrupt gut health are conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO). These conditions may not only cause significant digestive discomfort but can also set the stage for broader health challenges, including gut permeability (or “leaky gut”). Let's explore what SIBO and IMO are, how they differ, and how an integrative approach can help you regain balance. What Are SIBO and IMO? SIBO refers to an abnormal increase in the population of bacteria in the small intestine—an area where bacterial concentration is usually relatively low. This overgrowth interferes with normal digestion and nutrient absorption, often leading to symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. IMO, often cons...

  Understanding the Role of Desulfovibrio Piger in Gut Health When discussing gut health and microbiome balance, much attention has been paid to the interplay of bacteria within the colon. Among these inhabitants is the sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB), Desulfovibrio Piger , an organism whose significance often flies under the radar but is critical to maintaining metabolic harmony in the gut. This article explores the fascinating role of D. piger as a hydrogen-consuming bacterium, its involvement in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and its contribution to a balanced microbiome. The Basics of Gut Microbial Balance The colon hosts a dense microbial community, where bacterial populations engage in a cooperative balance to process dietary fibers, metabolize nutrients, and support the host's health. Key players in these processes include: SCFA Producers: These bacteria ferment dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids like acetate, propionate, and butyrate, whic...

Understanding the Microbiome and the Balance of Bacterial Activity in the Colon   The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, influencing digestion, immunity, and even mental well-being. Among the intricate systems that make up the human microbiome, a finely tuned balance of bacteria in the colon stands out for its vital contribution to metabolic health. To keep this ecosystem functioning effectively, the harmonious interaction between hydrogen producers, hydrogen consumers—such as Desulfovibrio piger —and the producers of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is indispensable. This article explores how these bacterial processes work together in the colon, focusing on SCFA production, hydrogen exchange, and the crucial role hydrogen-consuming bacteria like Desulfovibrio piger play in sustaining microbiome health. The Role of SCFA Production in Gut Health The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is a central activity in the human colon. SCFAs, such as ...

Navigating the Link Between Intestinal Health and Inflammation Understanding the Gut-Inflammation Connection The human gut plays an integral role in overall health, functioning as more than just a digestive organ. It acts as a critical interface between the external and internal environments, influencing immunity, nutrient absorption, and even mental health. Yet, disruptions in intestinal health, such as a compromised gut barrier (commonly known as "leaky gut"), have been increasingly associated with chronic inflammation. According to Fukui (2016), increased intestinal permeability can allow microbial translocation—essentially letting bacteria and toxins pass through the gut lining into the bloodstream. This process has been linked to inflammatory responses that may contribute to diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even systemic conditions like type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and depression. Understanding this gut-inflammation l...