Performance Nutrition Counseling for Professionals, Executives, Athletes, and Creatives
If your mental or physical form is compromising your work performance and conventional treatments aren't helping, consider my advisory services. I specialize in counseling individuals whose careers, income, and lifestyles depend on having high energy, stable mood, and cognitive sharpness.
Most conventional treatments rely on prescription drugs to suppress symptoms instead of eliminating underlying causes. This approach works initially, but over time, it compounds problems because, along with symptoms, prescription drugs tend to suppress energy, mood, cognition, and focus.
I focus on identifying and eliminating missed, ignored, or poorly understood causes of functional nutritional/digesstive disorders and restoring peak performance. The effectiveness of my work is based on the following foundation:
— Pharmacy degree. Formal education in pharmaceutical sciences with a focus on human physiology, medical biochemistry, and drug metabolism.
— Large body of research. Three decades of extensive research and medical writing with an exclusive focus on forensic nutrition and functional digestive and metabolic disorders.
— Real-world validation. Helping tens of thousands of satisfied clients who found my site and books after exhausting all other treatment options.
— Firsthand experience. Applying all that I’ve learned to my own health challenges and observing successful outcomes from my early forties to late sixties and beyond.
— Years ahead of the curve. All of the concepts I have espoused on this site and in my books since the early 2000s have since been widely mainstreamed by practitioners of integrative and functional medicine.
These foundational skills and experiences have given me a deep understanding of how the human body processes nutrients, medications, and exogenous factors (insomnia, stress, travel, heat, cold, exercise) that impact digestive and metabolic functions.
My consultations start with an initial one-hour Zoom or phone meeting. During this time, you'll describe your situation, concerns, and goals to help me determine if I can guide your recovery from the following functional conditions:
Chronic or Sporadic Constipation | Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis | Intermittent Diarrhea | Bloating and Flatulence | Leaky Gut Syndrome | SIBO | Indigestion and Heartburn/GERD | Delayed Stomach Emptying | Gastritis and Enteritis | Halitosis | Excessive Appetite | Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs | Weight Loss Rebound | Food Cravings | Pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
If your current condition matches my expertise and you commit to making recommended changes, you should expect to improve your health and quality of life the same way thousands of my readers and clients were able to improve theirs.
Chronic Constipation
Conventional constipation treatments focus on fiber, laxatives, and stool softeners. All of them create life-long dependency without fixing the underlying issue:
— Excess fiber worsens constipation by increasing stool bulk without improving motility;
— Stimulating laxatives weaken natural bowel function;
— Polyethylene-glycol, the most popular stool softener, is implicated in causing neurological disorders including dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases.
— Prescription laxatives may cause out-of-the-blue diarrhea or frequent bowel movements that lead to rectal retention, tightening of the anal canal, and gradual loss of urge sensation, making a bad situation even worse.
My counseling focuses on restoring natural motility without reliance on external aids. This means identifying and eliminating hidden dietary causes, adjusting hydration and electrolyte balance, and optimizing habits that regulate bowel function.
By correcting these anomalies, you will experience consistent, effortless bowel movements without rectal pain, exacerbated hemorrhoidal disease, anal bleeding, discomfort, and frustration of trial-and-error treatments.
In cases where medication side effects or irreversible factors such as nerve damage, chronic pelvic floor dysfunction, or enlarged hemorrhoids impair normal bowel function, I recommend targeted supplementation to stimulate regular bowel movements.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is a catch-all diagnosis for functional colorectal disorders behind one-size-fits-all treatments that fail to deliver relief.
Conventional recommendations to increase fiber, drink more water, avoid gluten, increase exercise, meditate, or have a glass of wine for relaxation don't address the root causes, lead to more harm, and leave you stuck in an endless cycle of symptom management.
In reality, IBS is a complex functional disorder influenced by intestinal inflammation, damage from byproducts of fiber fermentation, bulked-up stools, latent constipation, electrolyte deficiencies, microbiome imbalances, autoimmune conditions, inappropriate diets, bad habits, and lifestyle choices.
And these are “mild” ones. If you have good insurance to get a referral to a “specialist,” you’ll be nuked with abdominal CAT scans, investigated with colonoscopies, examined with “pelvic floor” tests, and, in the end, offered a prescription ranging from antibiotics to antidepressants, and everything in between. Good luck!
My approach focuses on identifying and eliminating all of the possible triggers and underlying mechanisms of IBS so your “bowel” is no longer “irritable.”
Because IBS presents in different forms—diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C), and mixed-type (IBS-M)—a successful approach must be individualized.
Once the causes are identified, I will recommend targeted lifestyle adjustments to heal and normalize your gut functions and help you regain permanent recovery.
Diverticulolsis and Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches (diverticula) form in the walls of the large intestine (colon), often without symptoms. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, it can lead to severe pain, bloating, fever, and digestive distress, a condition known as diverticulitis.
Conventional recommendations emphasize high-fiber diets as a preventive measure. In many cases, this approach aggravates diverticular disease even more because soluble and insoluble fiber causes large stools, fecal impaction, severe constipation, bloating from gases, excessive fermentation, and colon-wide inflammation from the byproducts of fermentation and large stools.
Acute diverticulitis can cause the following complications, some of them life-threatening:
— Abscess around infected diverticula, often requiring drainage to prevent worsening infection.
— Colon perforation allows fecal matter to spill into the abdominal cavity, potentially causing peritonitis, a serious medical emergency.
— Chronic inflammation may lead to fistulas or strictures, creating abnormal connections between the colon and nearby structures such as the peritoneum, small intestine, bladder, uterus, or vagina.
— Recurring scarring can result in bowel obstruction, restricting stool passage and leading to severe bloating, pain, and constipation.
— Sepsis and septic shock can develop if infection from any of these complications spreads into the bloodstream, with hospital survival rates ranging from 50% to 60%.
My preventative approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of diverticular disease, including dietary factors, gut motility, and chronic inflammation. Instead of relying on generic fiber-loading strategies, I'll guide you toward digestive-friendly nutrition that supports colon integrity, reduces strain, and helps prevent recurring flare-ups.
In addition, I will help you address lifestyle factors that play a critical role in long-term colon health. Our mutual goal isn't focused on "managing" symptoms but on creating a sustainable nutrition and lifestyle that minimizes future complications.
In many cases, acute diverticulitis may require partial surgical resection of the colon or a total colon removal (colectomy). Each year, around 320,000 colectomies are performed for both benign and malignant conditions, while more than 600,000 colon-related surgeries take place annually. Diverticulitis accounts for a significant portion of these procedures.
I can only assist you in preventing diverticulitis when you are in complete remission. Since diverticulosis (pouches) is irreversible, I cannot assure you that a relapse will never occur, but reducing the risk by even 50% is still better than doing nothing and becoming a "statistic!"
Intermittent Diarrhea
Intermittent diarrhea without active inflammation, bleeding, or the need for immunosuppressive medication is a sign of residual gut sensitivity, impaired motility, or dietary triggers rather than ongoing disease activity.
Conventional advice typically revolves around increased fiber intake, over-the-counter antidiarrheals, or counterproductive dietary modifications such as fat reduction or high-protein diets.
My method focuses on stabilizing gut function by identifying dietary irritants, optimizing digestion, and improving stool consistency.
For individuals with post-inflammatory gut sensitivity or disrupted bowel motility, I tailor a strategy that supports gut healing, enhances nutrient absorption, and regulates bowel movements without aggressive dietary restrictions or excessive fiber intake—both of which can worsen symptoms.
In cases where long-term motility issues, bile acid malabsorption, or minor structural changes contribute to persistent instability, I incorporate targeted supplementation to reinforce gut resilience while preserving the body's natural regulatory mechanisms.
This balanced, evidence-based approach will help you regain stability without falling into a cycle of symptom-chasing or unnecessary pharmaceutical intervention.
And most importantly, you will no longer be in a permanent state of fear of having uncontrollable diarrhea in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Bloating and Flatulence
Bloating and excessive gas are often dismissed as minor inconveniences, yet they can indicate underlying functional colorectal disorders, digestive inefficiencies, food intolerances, or imbalances in gut motility and microbiota. Conventional treatments — like increasing fiber, taking probiotics, or eliminating entire food groups — are more likely to worsen both conditions.
My approach identifies the specific causes of bloating and flatulence such as fermentation of poorly absorbed carbohydrates (FODMAPs), bacterial overgrowth, enzyme deficiencies, or altered gut transit time.
Instead of generic “bloat-reducing” diets, I focus on optimizing digestion at the source by adjusting meal composition, identifying hidden food triggers, and ensuring proper enzymatic function.
For individuals with gut motility imbalances or post-infectious dysbiosis, I incorporate targeted supplementation to aid digestion, reduce excessive fermentation, and restore gut rhythm without relying on over-the-counter gas relief medications.
Leaky Gut Syndrome
The concept of leaky gut syndrome is widely promoted in alternative health circles, but from a physiological and anatomical perspective, it doesn’t exist as a standalone medical condition.
The gut is meant to be permeable—that’s how we absorb nutrients, fluids, and medications. The real issue behind the symptoms commonly attributed to “leaky gut” is not excessive permeability but inflammation, malabsorption, and microbiome imbalances caused by dietary, lifestyle, and medical factors.
Many of the people who seek help for “leaky gut” are actually dealing with undiagnosed or mismanaged GI conditions such as IBS, post-infectious gut dysfunction, food intolerances, or even subtle deficiencies caused by long-term inflammation or medication use. Instead of chasing unproven “gut-healing” protocols, my approach is to correct the underlying dysfunctions that lead to digestive distress. This may involve:
Improving digestion through strategic dietary modifications that prevent malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies.
Regulating immune responses by addressing chronic inflammation, which often drives food sensitivities and systemic symptoms.
Restoring gut microbial balance without resorting to excessive probiotic use which can worsen symptoms in many cases.
Addressing medication-induced GI disturbances that may be contributing to persistent digestive issues.
By focusing on science-based solutions instead of marketing-driven myths, I will help you regain control over your gut health without unnecessary restrictions, fear-driven diets, or expensive, unproven supplement regimens. The goal isn’t to “heal a leaky gut” but to restore its proper function in a way that’s practical, sustainable, and backed by real physiology.
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Successful recovery from SIBO requires a systematic approach to eliminate the underlying causes, prevent recurrence, and restore proper gut function.
My counseling focuses on identifying and eliminating the root causes of SIBO, such as medication side effects, slow motility, acid suppression, carbohydrate malabsorption, chronic constipation, fecal reflux, ileocecal valve defect, inflammatory bowel disease, and some others.
We optimize digestion by enhancing gastric acid production, bile flow, and enzyme activity to prevent bacterial overgrowth from recurring.
Instead of extreme food restrictions that provide only short-term relief, I emphasize sustainable dietary adjustments that support gut function without unnecessary deprivation.
Recovery also involves repopulating the microbiome, improving gut motility, and implementing strategies to prevent relapses. If you’ve tried treatments without success or are experiencing recurrences, I can help you connect the missing dots and guide you toward lasting improvement.
Indigestion and Heartburn
Excess stomach acid is commonly blamed for indigestion and heartburn, forcing patients to take antacids or acid-reducing medications like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors). This is stupid beyond contempt because without acid, there is no digestion, and blaming the acid for heartburn is like blaming the water for being wet.
Instead of relying on drug-based treatments to mask symptoms, I help clients optimize digestion at its source. This includes improving stomach function, addressing food sensitivities, regulating meal timing, and correcting lifestyle habits that disrupt digestion, such as frequent eating, overeating, over-hydration, and many others.
For individuals who must use acid-reducing medications, I provide strategies to eliminate them as well as minimize long-term risks such as nutrient malabsorption and gut microbial imbalances.
When chronic indigestion results from low stomach acid, bile insufficiency, or motility issues, I incorporate selective supplementation to support natural digestive function without creating dependency. This targeted, physiology-based approach ensures relief while preserving the body's natural ability to digest food properly.
Delayed Stomach Emptying
Gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, is often misunderstood as a condition of excessive acid, food intolerances, or general indigestion when, in reality, it stems from impaired gastric motility, gastric insufficiency (low level of enzyme and gastric acid), gastritis (mucosal inflammation), atrophic gastritis.
This dysfunction slows down the normal passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine, leading to persistent fullness, bloating, nausea, and unpredictable digestion.
Conventional treatments often rely on prokinetic drugs or dietary restrictions, yet these solutions do not address the underlying cause and can lead to nutritional deficiencies and medication dependence over time.
My approach focuses on stimulating and supporting natural gastric motility rather than simply managing symptoms. This involves identifying and minimizing dietary triggers that worsen motility, optimizing meal composition to reduce gastric burden, and improving nervous system regulation of digestion.
In cases where gastroparesis is linked to medications, diabetes-related nerve damage, or other chronic conditions, I incorporate selective supplementation to aid stomach function while working within the individual’s physiological constraints.
By targeting, eliminating, and, when necessary, augmenting the real cause of slow gastric emptying rather than just masking symptoms, you will experience more consistent digestion, better nutrient absorption, and reduced reliance on restrictive diets or pharmaceuticals.
Gastritis and Enteritis
Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) are commonly blamed on stress, spicy foods, alcohol, or excess stomach acid, leading to overprescription of acid blockers and dietary restrictions that often do more harm than good.
While acute cases may be triggered by infections or irritants, chronic gastritis and enteritis are frequently driven by underlying imbalances such as H. pylori infection, medication side effects (especially NSAIDs), autoimmune conditions, or persistent digestive dysfunction. Simply reducing acid without addressing these root causes can worsen digestion, impair nutrient absorption, and fail to resolve inflammation.
My approach focuses on identifying and eliminating the true triggers of stomach and intestinal inflammation while restoring digestive balance. This includes evaluating dietary and medication-related causes, optimizing stomach acid production (rather than blindly suppressing it), and using targeted nutritional strategies to promote mucosal healing.
In cases of chronic inflammation due to autoimmune or microbial factors, I incorporate selective supplementation to support gut repair and function without unnecessary dietary restrictions or medication overuse.
By addressing the underlying mechanisms instead of just suppressing symptoms, clients experience lasting relief and improved digestive resilience without compromising their overall gut health.
Halitosis (Bad Mouth Odor)
Halitosis is a complex condition involving gum disease, dental caries, a receding gum line, bacterial overgrowth on the root of the tongue, tonsil stones, atrophic glossitis, gastroparesis, an ileocecal valve defect, fecal reflux, and other conditions that contribute to persistent bad breath by creating an environment where bacteria thrive.
Many conventional treatments fail to address these root causes, leaving individuals trapped in a cycle of temporary fixes like mints, mouthwashes, or excessive tongue scraping—practices that often exacerbate bacterial imbalances rather than resolve them.
My approach goes beyond superficial fixes by identifying and resolving the digestive, oral, and metabolic factors contributing to halitosis.
This includes optimizing stomach acid levels (as low acid leads to incomplete protein digestion and foul-smelling gases), improving gut motility to prevent stagnation and fermentation, and addressing bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, sinuses, or intestines.
I also provide practical guidance on proper oral care, including effective tongue- cleaning techniques, periodontal hygiene adjustments, and strategies to reduce bacterial buildup in the tonsils and back of the throat.
In cases where medications, chronic sinus infections, or metabolic disorders contribute to bad breath, I incorporate targeted nutritional and lifestyle strategies to restore fresh breath naturally.
By treating the actual source of halitosis rather than just covering it up, you will experience long-term relief and improved overall oral and digestive health.
Appetite Reduction: Managing Changes Before and After GLP-1 Therapy
Appetite is an innate instinct and primal drive that is essential for survival. If not for appetite, people wouldn’t bother hunting, fishing, gathering, growing food, or even waging wars over resources. It has shaped human history, fueling migrations, technological advancements, and social structures aimed at securing food supplies.
An appetite instinct operates on two levels—unconditional and conditional:
Unconditional appetite is the fundamental, biologically hardwired drive for sustenance. It is governed by homeostatic mechanisms within the hypothalamus, responding to energy deficits by triggering hunger signals. When glucose, amino acids, or fat stores drop below a critical threshold, the brain releases neuropeptides such as ghrelin to stimulate food-seeking behavior. This basic hunger drive is universal, operating independently of cultural, emotional, or environmental factors.
Conditional appetite is shaped by learned experiences, external cues, and environmental conditions. It is also influenced by factors such as social norms, personal preferences, food availability, and psychological triggers. This component explains why people crave specific foods, eat out of boredom or stress, and develop habits around mealtimes. Conditional appetite is also at play in marketing strategies that exploit visual, olfactory, and emotional cues to stimulate a desire for food beyond physiological needs.
Together, these two components ensure that humans recognize their biological need for food and develop behaviors that optimize food acquisition, storage, and consumption—whether by cultivating crops, domesticating animals, or stockpiling provisions for the future.
However, in modern societies, where food is affordable and abundant, appetite — both conditional and unconditional — runs out of control and now requires powerful drugs to suppress it.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists work by altering hunger signaling in the brain, significantly reducing appetite. Their outcomes and side effects are stunningly similar to ‘starving’ cancers with chemotherapy—loss of appetite, nausea, muscle and bone loss, hair shedding, brittle nails, stomach atrophy, reproductive dysfunction, and... rapid rebound once you stop the 'therapy.'
My approach helps clients adjust their eating patterns before, during, and after GLP-1 therapy to maintain balanced nutrition and metabolic health. Before treatment, I focus on stabilizing hunger cues, optimizing food choices for satiety, and minimizing blood sugar fluctuations that contribute to overeating.
After starting therapy, I provide structured meal planning strategies that prioritize protein, essential nutrients, and digestive-friendly foods to prevent malnutrition while accommodating reduced appetite.
For individuals transitioning off GLP-1 therapy, I offer guidance on restoring natural hunger signals and preventing rebound weight gain by supporting metabolic adaptation. This ensures that clients maximize the benefits of appetite reduction while avoiding the pitfalls of under-eating, muscle loss, and long-term metabolic disruption.
Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs: Managing GI Conditions Without Compromising Treatment
GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and liraglutide) are widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and weight management, but they often come with significant gastrointestinal side effects. Nausea, vomiting, bloating, delayed stomach emptying, diarrhea, and constipation are among the most common complaints, making long-term adherence difficult for many patients.
These side effects are not simply an inconvenience—they result from slowed gastric motility, altered digestive enzyme secretion, and changes in gut-brain signaling triggered by the drug itself. While some patients adapt over time, others experience persistent symptoms that can interfere with daily life, hydration, and nutrition.
My approach focuses on minimizing these GI side effects while allowing patients to continue benefiting from GLP-1 therapy. This includes strategic meal composition and timing to reduce nausea and bloating, optimizing hydration and electrolyte balance to prevent dehydration and constipation, and identifying food choices that align with slowed gastric motility.
For individuals struggling with prolonged gastric stasis or severe bowel irregularities, I incorporate selective supplementation to support digestion without interfering with the drug’s intended effects. Instead of forcing adaptation through discomfort, my approach helps patients navigate GLP-1 therapy with fewer side effects, improved digestive stability, and better overall adherence to treatment.
Preventing Weight Loss Rebound
One of the biggest challenges after significant weight loss—whether from lifestyle changes, GLP-1 therapy, or other interventions—is preventing weight regain. Many individuals experience a sudden return of appetite, metabolic slowdown, or loss of lean muscle mass, making it difficult to maintain their results.
Conventional approaches often focus on calorie restriction or aggressive exercise, but these methods can backfire by further lowering metabolic rate, increasing hunge hormones, and leading to cycles of weight regain.
The key to sustainable weight maintenance is protecting muscle mass, regulating appetite signals, and stabilizing metabolism without extreme dietary restrictions or excessive reliance on willpower.
My approach focuses on gradual metabolic adaptation to prevent rebound after weight loss. This includes strategically reintroducing calories to avoid metabolic suppression, prioritizing protein and nutrient-dense foods to maintain lean mass, and optimizing meal timing to stabilize hunger signals.
For individuals coming off GLP-1 therapy or other appetite-suppressing regimens, I provide structured strategies to ease the transition and prevent overeating due to sudden hunger resurgence.
Instead of relying on unsustainable diets or extreme measures, my method helps clients maintain their weight loss naturally by supporting metabolic flexibility, muscle preservation, and long-term satiety regulation—ensuring they stay in control of their health without constant restriction or anxiety about regaining weight.
Food Cravings: Understanding and Controlling the Urge to Overeat
Food cravings are often mistaken for lack of willpower, but in reality, they are driven by physiological and biochemical factors—including blood sugar fluctuations, neurotransmitter imbalances, gut microbiome activity, and hormonal signals like insulin, ghrelin, and leptin.
Many individuals struggle with intense cravings for sugar, processed foods, or salty snacks, often leading to overeating, weight gain, and cycles of guilt and restriction. While conventional approaches focus on eliminating "trigger foods" or using sheer discipline, these methods rarely work in the long term because they fail to address the underlying causes of cravings.
My approach targets the root causes of food cravings rather than just suppressing them with willpower. This includes stabilizing blood sugar levels to prevent energy crashes that trigger sugar cravings, optimizing protein and fat intake to enhance satiety, and addressing gut microbiome imbalances that influence food preferences.
For individuals dealing with stress-related or emotional eating, I help regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin through targeted nutritional strategies rather than relying on restriction or willpower alone.
By correcting these biochemical and digestive imbalances, clients experience reduced cravings, improved control over their food choices, and a more balanced relationship with eating—without relying on unsustainable diets or deprivation.
Pre-diabetes: Normalizing Blood Sugar Without Medication
Pre-diabetes is often treated as an inevitable precursor to type 2 diabetes, leading many individuals to feel powerless against rising blood sugar levels. However, in most cases, pre-diabetes is reversible with the right nutritional and lifestyle interventions and without the need for medications like metformin.
The key issue in pre-diabetes is insulin resistance, where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, causing blood sugar to remain elevated. Standard dietary advice, such as “just eat less sugar” or following a generic low-carb diet, often fails to address the real drivers of insulin resistance, which include poor meal timing, chronic inflammation, micronutrient deficiencies, and an imbalanced gut microbiome.
My approach to normalizing blood sugar focuses on restoring insulin sensitivity through appropriate meal composition, optimized macronutrient balance, and targeted nutrient support. This includes reducing sugar cravings, regulating carbohydrate intake based on individual tolerance, increasing healthy fats to slow glucose absorption, and prioritizing protein to maintain muscle mass—an essential factor in reversing hyperinsulenimia.
For individuals experiencing morning blood sugar spikes, post-meal crashes, or persistent sugar cravings, I implement specific dietary and lifestyle adjustments that stabilize glucose levels throughout the day.
By addressing the root causes of pre-diabetes rather than just suppressing symptoms, you can restore normal blood sugar regulation naturally and without the side effects or long-term dependency on medications.
Why Does My Methodology Work?
My methodology stems from an in-depth understanding of how digestion functions. Once you remove the obstacles that disrupt your digestion your digestion does exactly what it was designed to do efficiently and painlessly.
The following list highlights the key improvements that will gradually happen to your digestion, mood, energy, memory, and focus after you implement and stay with my recommendations:
Reduced inflammation – Impaired digestion triggers systemic inflammation body-wide. What starts in the stomach gradually propagates throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract and causes a condition known as gastroenterocolitis. Eliminating the factors that cause inflammation facilitates healing healing and recovery. Lowering inflammation improves digestion, sleep quality, reduces brain fog, stabilizes mood, increases energy, and lowers neuroinflammation behind dementia.
Reduction or elimination of chronic pain – The gut’s inflammatory response affects nerve signaling and joint health. Persistent systemic irritation contributes to chronic pain conditions like joint stiffness, migraines, and muscle aches. When digestion is normalized, systemic inflammation decreases and so is pain. Pain reduction leads to more restorative sleep, better concentration, and fewer stress-related mood fluctuations.
Normalized insulin sensitivity – The gut influences insulin function through nutrient absorption and hormone signaling. When digestion is optimized, stable insulin levels prevent overeating, energy crashes, improve mental clarity, and support better sleep by reducing nighttime blood sugar fluctuations.
Stabilized blood sugar levels – A well-balanced diet supports stable glucose levels, preventing fatigue and long-term metabolic damage. Stable blood sugar prevents sugar cravings, mood swings, supports sustained focus throughout the day, and reduces nighttime wake-ups caused by excessive urine production.
Lowered stress hormone levels – The gut and brain communicate through the vagus nerve, affecting cortisol and adrenaline production. Elevated levels of stress hormones cause insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, bipolar states, high blood pressure, hypersensitivity to noise and light, irritability, compulsive eating, attention deficit disorders, and most other mental and emotional disorders. Normalizing digestion reduces the level of stress hormones and gradually eliminates all of the conditions above.
Reduced fluid retention, undigested food mass, and impacted stools – The gut controls hydration and waste elimination. Poor digestion and electrolyte imbalances lead to water retention, bloating, and stool impaction. Optimizing digestion eliminates constipation and normalizes fluid balance – the reduced body weight from both actions gives you an energy boost from 'carrying' less weight.
Improved blood circulation and oxygenation – Poor digestion leads to inflammation and increases blood viscosity, both factors slow circulation. Reducing inflammation improves blood flow and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and brain. Better oxygenation elevates energy levels, supports brain function, and improves sleep quality.
Decreased Cravings and Appetite. Cravings and appetite kick in well before food reaches the stomach. Insulin fluctuations, gastric acid secretion, enzymatic activity, histamine release, stomach wall stretching, saliva production, olfactory responses, and bile secretion all play a role in signaling hunger and satiety. When these processes are out of whack due to a number of factors mentioned in my webinar, they create persistent cravings, premature hunger, and cycles of overeating. Optimizing digestion reduces energy crashes, nighttime hunger, and the overwhelming drive for food. This change leads to stable energy levels, improved mental focus, and better sleep quality.
Removal of hidden dietary stimulants and depressants – The gut processes compounds that affect brain chemistry. Many modern foods contain hidden stimulants (MSG, artificial sweeteners, caffein and companion alcoloids) that alter neurotransmitter function. Removing these substances supports stable energy and mood regulation. Eliminating artificial stimulants reduces anxiety, stabilizes focus, and prevents sleep disturbances caused by overstimulation.
Reduction or discontinuation of medications and their side effects – Many medications address symptoms caused by poor gut health, such as high blood pressure, GERD, or type 2 diabetes. When digestion and metabolism improve, the need for medications—and their side effects—often decreases. Fewer medications mean fewer sleep disruptions, improved mental clarity, and better mood stability throughout the day.
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Restored mineral and vitamin balance – The gut is responsible for absorbing essential nutrients. When digestion is impaired, deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fat-soluble vitamins occur, affecting metabolism, nerve function, and energy levels. Here is how you know when it happens:
A craving for ice (pagophagia) is often linked to iron deficiency, particularly in anemia.
Chocolate cravings may indicate a magnesium or B-vitamin deficiency, especially during stress or PMS.
Salt cravings can signal sodium deficiency or, in rarer case, adrenal insufficiency, such as Addison’s disease.
Cravings for red meat and high-protein foods are related to iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 deficiencies and are commonly in menstruating women or individuals on restrictive diets.
A desire for cheese or dairy could reflect low calcium or vitamin D levels, especially in children, pregnant women, or those avoiding dairy.
Sugar or carbohydrate cravings are sometimes associated with chromium or B-vitamin deficiencies, though they more often result from blood glucose fluctuations.
Finally, pica—the craving for non-food substances like dirt, starch, or paper—is strongly associated with iron or zinc deficiencies and is notably common during pregnancy.
Proper nutrient absorption enhances brain function, stabilizes mood, and supports deep sleep cycles.
Proper fluid balance inside and outside cells – The gut controls hydration by regulating electrolyte absorption. Sodium, potassium, and magnesium imbalances may increase water retention and cause swelling on one hand or cause dehydration on the other. Normalizing electrolytes and hydration improves mental alertness, prevents muscle cramps at night, and supports consistent energy levels.
Healthier gut bacteria – The gut microbiome influences digestion, immune function, and even brain chemistry. A disrupted microbiome can lead to inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, and metabolic issues. A balanced microbiome supports serotonin production, improving mood, cognitive function, and sleep quality. The cumulative changes that I recommend enhance and improve the composition of your intestinal flora.
Better digestion and nutrient absorption – Low stomach acid and enzyme deficiencies result in undigested food, bloating, and nutritional deficiencies. Efficient digestion supports brain function, reduces fatigue, and prevents restlessness at night caused by digestive discomfort.
More efficient energy production – Poor digestion reduces energy availability, leading to fatigue and metabolic slowdown. Efficient energy production prevents mid-day crashes, sustains mental focus, and supports an active metabolism that aids deep sleep.
Deeper, more restful sleep – The gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and regulates melatonin. Imbalances in gut health can disrupt sleep cycles and lead to poor-quality rest. The balanced gut function supports natural melatonin production, leading to deeper and more restorative sleep.
Clearer thinking and better focus – The gut and brain communicate via the vagus nerve. Inflammation and poor gut health cause brain fog and difficulty concentrating. A healthier gut leads to sharper thinking, improved memory, and better concentration throughout the day.
Stronger immune function – The majority of the immune system is located in the gut. A healthy microbiome supports immune defenses, while an imbalanced gut increases susceptibility to infections and autoimmune conditions. A well-functioning immune system means fewer inflammatory responses, better overall energy, and fewer disruptions to sleep caused by illness.
Once you start on the path of fixing up your digestion, you'll be able to eliminate completely or, at the very least, reduce medications that come with their host of side effects:
Anti-inflammatory medications – Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen weakens the gut lining, disrupts digestion, and depletes essential nutrients. No longer needing these drugs eliminates their profound side effects body-wide.
Antihistamines – Antihistamines cause drowsiness, brain fog, and even long-term imbalances in how the body regulates histamine. When gut health improves, the body's natural histamine response stabilizes, reducing the need for medication and helping people feel more alert, clear-headed, and energetic throughout the day.
Opioid-class pain relievers – The use of opioids slows digestion, disrupts gut bacteria, and leads to dependency, drowsiness, mental fog, constipation, and host of other side effects that impact energy, memory, and focus. By addressing pain at its root—through reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and optimizing digestion you may experience pain relief without the need for opioids.
Laxatives. Regular use of laxatives weakens your ability to regulate bowel movements naturally, leads to dependence, and worsens constipation over time. Stimulant laxatives act by irritating the intestinal lining and forcing contractions, which may deplete electrolytes, disrupt gut bacteria, and damage peristalsis. Osmotic laxatives can cause dehydration and mineral imbalances when used frequently. Polyethylene Glycol-based stool softeners are implicated in neurological disorders such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's.
Other medications that affect digestion include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antacids, which reduce stomach acid and impair nutrient absorption; antibiotics, which disrupt gut bacteria balance; and diabetes medications like metformin, which commonly cause gastrointestinal distress; cholinergic medications, which can overstimulate or suppress digestive function, leading to cramping, diarrhea, or constipation; and sedatives and hypnotics (sleeping pills), which slow gastrointestinal motility and cause bloating.
The list of drugs that impact digestion is far from being exhaustive. Most drugs in existence come with some or other gastrointestinal side effects, and their effect is cumulative — the more you take, the more you suffer. Once you start following my recommendations, you'll be able to reduce dosing or eliminate most or all of them.
Mastering Digestion Is Key to Recovery
Your digestion is at the center of nearly every major system in the body, including structural metabolism, immune function, brain health, and energy production. When digestion is optimized, these systems work efficiently. When it is impaired, the body gets hit with all kinds of conditions that ruin your sleep, mood, energy, memory and focus that you wouldn't be able to fix until you fix your digestion.
That is why understanding why certain foods and habits harm you and how small, deliberate changes can create massive improvements in your digestion, energy, weight, and overall health. And that is exactly what you learn and apply to your recovery while working with me.