Today we are talking about poop, which might seem a little odd but there is a very good reason for it. Last year, the American Gastroenterological Association released new data showing that nearly 40% of Americans have stopped routine activities in the last year due to uncomfortable bowel symptoms, including exercising, running errands, and seeing family and friends. Even though discomfort disrupts their day, people still don’t want to talk about it with one in three people reporting that they would only discuss their bowel symptoms if their doctor brought it up first.

As doctors, poop truly is a window into your overall health and even though it sounds strange, we really want to hear about it. So let’s break the ice today with two excellent experts who are going to help me explain the issues, break down some solutions, and bust a few myths.

Dr. Megan Fortin is a Naturopathic Physician with Collaborative Natural Health Partners who specializes in treating autoimmune, endocrine, and digestive conditions, including IBS and SIBO. She is super passionate about individualized care and works to treat the whole person while utilizing clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and lifestyle counseling.

Dr. Carolina Gonzalez is also a Naturopathic Physician who focuses on digestive disorders such as SIBO, IBS, candida overgrowth, and the microbiome and she focuses on a holistic approach targeting the gut-brain connection and the importance of understanding its bidirectional impact.

Here on Your Health Toolkit, we often talk about how conventional and naturopathic medicine can play complementary roles in our overall health. We call this “collaborative medicine” and through the work that we do at Collaborative Natural Health Partners, we are able to give people the knowledge and the tools they need to feel great every single day. If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.