Gut Health

This episode of the Rooted in Health Podcast by Brian Christensen features Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson, discussing various health topics including optimizing gut health. 

During the winter months, it is crucial to prioritize gut health due to the challenges posed by cold temperatures, reduced activity, and less sunshine. Gut health is closely linked to overall well-being, and our gut microbes play a vital role in breaking down nutrients, synthesizing vitamins, and protecting us from illnesses. To take care of your gut during this season, it is important to follow a healthy diet, filled with fresh, organic whole foods and fermented/cultured foods, while minimizing refined sugars, grains, alcohol, and chemicals. Managing stress and getting regular exercise are also essential for supporting gut health. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that your gut microbes stay healthy and that your digestive system functions properly throughout the winter months.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson discusses how we often settle for feeling mediocre without realizing that we could actually feel great. She shares her personal journey of initially focusing on reducing her risk of cardiovascular disease, which led to losing weight and feeling fine, but not truly thriving. Andrea then transitioned to a vegetarian diet, which initially made her feel amazing but eventually resulted in weight gain, low energy, and other health issues. Through her own research and undergoing functional testing, Andrea discovered the importance of investigating symptoms, implementing targeted protocols, and challenging limiting beliefs to achieve optimal health. She encourages listeners to reevaluate their own beliefs and prioritize feeling their best, as we don't have to settle for just feeling fine.

Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson discusses the difference between sick care and health care in the current medical system. While she acknowledges that the American medical system has the best doctors and facilities for trauma and advanced diseases, she argues that it falls short in disease prevention and managing chronic lifestyle diseases. She shares a case study of a client whose basic bloodwork showed markers outside of the lab range, but the doctor deemed everything as "normal" and refused to run additional tests. Nicholson highlights the limitations of the sick care model and emphasizes the importance of personalized care and a holistic approach to achieving optimal health. She encourages individuals to advocate for their own health and seek out lifestyle-focused professionals for true health care.