Individual differences within the body impact wellbeing and health outcomes. Understanding variations in nutrient-gene interactions, epigenetic fingerprints, and the gut microbiome can help improve treatment options and patient outcomes.

A mother gently cradles her sleeping baby, resting her cheek against the infant's head in a bright, serene room.

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Healthy Function

A Day in the Life of a Practicing Herbalist

WholisticMatters (30:11 min listen)

In this episode of the Medicinal Herbs podcast, host Daina Parent, ND, chats with first-time guest Marisa Marciano, ND, RH, about her experience as both naturopathic doctor and Registered Herbalist, including scope of practice, qualifications, education, and training.

Person holds a black mortar filled with various colorful wildflowers, standing in a sunlit forest clearing.

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Healthy Function

Leaky Gut Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Testing

Marlayna Tillery, MScN (5 min read)

Leaky gut syndrome, also known as intestinal hyperpermeability, occurs when the lining of the small intestine is impaired, allowing larger molecules to bypass the gut barrier and into the bloodstream. These molecules may be components of ingested food particles, bacteria, and foreign substances.1

Two passion flowers bloom vibrantly, displaying purple and white petals with intricate yellow and green centers, surrounded by lush green leaves.

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Healthy Function

"Herb Terms" You May Not Understand

Marisa Marciano, ND, RH (3 min read)

Understanding how herbs work means understanding the wide range of actions they can have in the body, and learning some specific terminology can be helpful to define a plant’s physiological and pharmacological effects as well as its key medicinal uses. It is important to keep in mind that a single herb can have numerous actions, and often, herbs’ actions may overlap or synchronize to work together in a way that will benefit the body on multiple levels. This article will explore some helpful herb terms, clarify their meaning, and give key herbal examples and indications for ease of learning and prescribing purposes.

A person holds their stomach with one hand, appearing to experience discomfort, while wearing a gray shirt and jeans in a plain, light-colored setting.

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Healthy Function

Nutrition for Dental Health

Kara Credle, MA (4 min read)

Most people are told from a young age that proactive dental health is important for preventing cavities, gum disease, and maintaining strong teeth. But going beyond brushing and flossing can make all the difference. Dental health and nutrition go hand-in-hand, and there are many factors that work synergistically to impact overall health when it comes to dental status and certain aspects of nutrition.

Children run joyfully through tall grass, dressed in colorful sweaters, on a sandy beach landscape. Two adults walk in the background, adding a sense of family outing in nature.

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Healthy Function

A Naturopathic Approach to Healthy Skin

Marisa Marciano, ND, RH (2 min read)

Skin health reflects whole body health. Its appearance can have profound effects on one’s psychological well-being while also serving as an indicator of the body’s internal health status and physiological resiliency. Skin complaints such as acne, aging, eczema, and rosacea are some of the most common and recurring presentations in clinical practice, and in 2013 an estimated 85 million Americans (or 1 in 4 individuals of all ages) were seen by a physician for at least one skin disease.1 Most conventional approaches to skin health involve the use of topical and/or oral medications, which offer temporary relief from symptoms quite successfully; however, exacerbations and recurrence upon their withdrawal can often occur. In these cases, and many others, a holistic, preventative approach to skin health and healthy aging can help minimize the need for more invasive therapies and/or potentially harmful interventions while serving the health of the body as a whole.

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Healthy Function

Realistically Applying Plant Power in Practice and in Life

WholisticMatters (39:03 min listen)

In the sixth and final episode of Plant Power, the fourth season of the WholisticMatters Podcast Series, hosts Sara Le Brun Blashka, MS, Meghan Hamrock, MS, MPH, and Kara Credle discuss the realistic application of plant power in practice and in life. Paired with a final clinical commentary from Dave Hogsed, DOM, AP, this episode ties together the concepts of the whole food matrix, nutrient availability, plant genetics, organic farming, phytonutrients and the colors of food to deliver a message vital for practitioners and nutrition enthusiasts alike: a diverse diet of colorful, plant-based foods supports a healthy life.