Dr. Nikolas Hedberg

The Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Digestion March 23, 2020betaine hcl, digestive enzymes, dysbiosis, H. pylori, hydrochloric acid, hypochlorhydria, pancreatin, SIBO 2 Comments

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There are many digestive enzyme supplements out there but which ones are the best and what is the best way to use them? In this article, I’ll be covering my 3 favorite digestive enzyme supplements and the way I use them in my practice. I’ll also dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about digestive enzyme supplements.

Digestive enzymes are an important part of my practice because most of my patients have gut issues that are connected to their thyroid and autoimmune problems. I have found them to be a vital part of my gut healing protocols. Let’s jump in and cover the details of each product I recommend.

Iodine and Hashimoto’s Disease

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease March 2, 2020autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, iodine, thyroid, thyroid antibodies 0 Comment

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The connection between iodine and Hashimoto’s disease has been one of the most requested topics that I cover, so I’d like to present the research on this topic, so we can set the record straight. Please be aware that none of this is my opinion but rather a detailed analysis of what the scientific literature currently presents.

Your body has about 15 to 20 mg of iodine and 70 to 80% of it resides in the thyroid gland. Iodine is transported into the thyroid gland through the sodium-iodine symporter or NIS. The thyroid peroxidase enzyme oxidizes iodine which is then integrated into thyroglobulin resulting in the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates this process.

Your thyroid only needs 150 to 250 micrograms a day of iodine to function properly. Once iodine intake exceeds this range, hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease may occur in some individuals.

The Bi-Phasic SIBO Diet with Dr. Nirala Jacobi

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Digestion February 17, 2020bi-phasic SIBO diet, FODMAP, gut health, leaky gut, oxalates, SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, Specific Carbohydrate Diet 0 Comment

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In this episode of the Functional Medicine Research podcast, I interview Dr. Nirala Jacobi in a discussion about the Bi-Phasic SIBO Diet. I have successfully used the Bi-Phasic SIBO Diet with many of my patients so I was excited to cover this topic with Dr. Jacobi. We discussed the specifics of the diet including the various phases, oxalates, salicylates, FODMAPs, vegetarian options, candida, histamine, fermented foods, MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), SIFO (Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth), DAO, hydrogen sulfide, hypnotherapy, DNRS and much more. If you have SIBO or are a practitioner working with SIBO patients, this is one interview you don’t want to miss.

Overcoming PTSD with Dr. Robert Hedaya

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Functional Medicine Research February 3, 2020adverse childhood experiences, neurofeedback, post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, qeeg, robert hedaya, trauma 1 Comment

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In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Dr. Robert Hedaya about overcoming PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an extremely difficult condition to manage but Dr. Hedaya and I discuss multiple approaches that can help patients with PTSD get well. We discussed how PTSD is defined, how it changes the brain, QEEG guided laser, neurofeedback, loneliness, social isolation, social media and much more. I always love having these kinds of conversations with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals because I believe it is the most overlooked aspect of functional medicine today.

Overcoming PANDAS with Dr. Scott Antoine

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Functional Medicine Research January 20, 2020January 20, 2020Autism, Dr. Scott Antoine, functional medicine, IVIG, OCD, PANDAS, PANS, streptococcus 0 Comment

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In this episode of the Functional Medicine Research podcast, I interview Dr. Scott Antoine in a discussion about overcoming PANDAS. Dr. Antoine shares a personal story about PANDAS and his daughter which sparked a deep interest in this disorder that is misunderstood by conventional medicine. We discuss PANDAS, PANS, IVIG, OCD, and Dr. Antoine’s Fully Functional practice model. You’ll also learn how to find a practitioner who is well-versed in PANDAS and the associated disorders discussed in this interview.

The Methylation Diet with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Autoimmune Disease January 6, 2020B12, COMT, epigenetics, folate, homocysteine, kara fitzgerald, methylated folate, methylation diet, MTHFR 1 Comment

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In this episode of Functional Medicine Research I interview Dr. Kara Fitzgerald about her book, “The Methylation Diet” and a preview of her upcoming study on The Methylation Diet. We had a great discussion about topics like methylation and diet, MTHFR, COMT, SAMe, methylated folate and B12, homocysteine, epigenetics and much more.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome with Dr. Bruce Hoffman

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Fatigue December 7, 2019December 13, 2019autoimmune disease, brain fog, fatigue, GERD, IBS, immune system, mast cell activation syndrome, MCAS 1 Comment

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In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Dr. Bruce Hoffman, who’s a board certified physician and he has a fellowship in Anti-Aging as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition. He is also a certified functional medicine practitioner. Speaking with Dr. Hoffman was extremely educational, we spoke about mast cell activation syndrome and how exactly the condition is diagnosed. Dr. Hoffman covers how he first got interested in the disease and the progress that he’s made working with several other doctors working to understand the implications of mast cell activation syndrome. Dr. Hoffman explains how some conditions overlap and indicate mast cell activation syndrome; such as fatigue, brain fog, and even GERD. You should come away from this interview with a much better understanding of mast cell activation syndrome, how it’s diagnosed and what lab tests are beneficial in assisting in this diagnosis.

How to Improve Digestion Naturally

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Digestion November 25, 2019November 25, 2019betaine hcl, Digestion, digestive enzymes, food sensitivities, Hashimoto's disease, helicobacter pylori, herbal bitters, hypothyroidism, leaky gut syndrome, pancreatic enzymes, probiotics 1 Comment

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“All disease begins in the gut.” –Hippocrates

Was Hippocrates right over 2,000 years ago? I would have to agree with him a majority of the time when it comes to chronic diseases. A healthy digestive system begins with excellent digestion so let’s go over some tips to help you improve your digestion naturally. Firstly, I’d like to briefly cover the reason why your digestion may be out of balance.

What causes bad digestion?

Eating very quickly while on the run and not completely focusing on your meal will result in poor digestion. You must be in a parasympathetic dominant state which is your “rest and digest” branch of your nervous system. Many people are sympathetic dominant when they eat which is the “fight or flight” branch of your nervous system.

What is the Best Fiber Supplement?

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Digestion November 11, 2019January 14, 2020acacia, fiber, fiber supplements, flax fiber, gut health, IBD, IBS, low-carbohydrate diet, SIBO 2 Comments

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Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet but like anything we consume, too much or too little may be problematic. Fiber has been touted as an extremely important nutrient but is it really as beneficial as it is purported to be? When used at the right time in the right individual, fiber can be a game changer for healing the gut and improving overall health. Let’s discuss the health benefits of fiber and the best fiber supplements if supplementation is necessary.

How Inflammation Causes Hypothyroidism

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease, Thyroid October 25, 2019deiodinase, Hashimoto's disease, hypothyroidism, inflammation, Reverse T3, rT3, T3, T4, TSH 0 Comment

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Inflammation is at the core of most chronic illnesses including hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease. But how exactly does inflammation cause hypothyroidism? Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is the state in which inflammation causes negative changes to thyroid hormone including low T3 and increased reverse T3 (rT3). T3 is the most active form of thyroid hormone and rT3 actually blocks T3 receptors so inflammation can really knock out thyroid function. TSH levels however stay relatively “normal” in NTIS thus leaving many patients with the symptoms of hypothyroidism but no diagnosis since no one is checking their T3 or rT3 levels.

In this article I’ll be referencing a paper entitled, “IL-6 promotes nonthyroidal illness syndrome by blocking thyroxine activation while promoting thyroid hormone inactivation in human cells.”

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