Articles - Dr. Nikolas Hedberg, D.C.

How to Follow a Low Histamine Diet

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Allergies October 25, 2021allergies, DAO, histamine, histamine intolerance, low histamine diet, mast cell activation syndrome, mast cells

Histamine is often overlooked as a cause of chronic health problems yet the fix for this issue can be quite straightforward. In this article, I cover the details of histamine and how to follow a low histamine diet.

Histamine intolerance (HIT) affects approximately 1% of the population. Approximately 80% of those affected are middle-aged.1 Histamine intolerance occurs when an individual has more histamine in their system than they can breakdown. Excess systemic concentrations of histamine can result from overproduction, overconsumption, and/or having a reduced ability to clear out histamine from the body. For those with HIT, eating a diet that results in increased histamine can contribute to chronic inflammation due to the ongoing exposure to histamine. This excess histamine often accumulates as a result of decreased diamine oxidase (DAO) activity.2, 3 The resulting excess histamine contributes to the physical symptoms associated with HIT. Following a low-histamine diet along with supplemental DAO is often recommended to decrease the symptoms associated with HIT. Eating a low-histamine diet involves more than simply eliminating foods that are high in histamine. This article will help to explain the challenges with following a low histamine diet and will highlight the many ways excess histamine can occur in food and in the body.

Can Birth Control Pills Cause Hypothyroidism?

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Thyroid July 19, 2021birth control pills, hypothyroidism, oral contraceptives, thyroid

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that five out of every 100 Americans over the age of 12 have hypothyroidism. The prevalence of this disease increases with age.(1) This makes hypothyroidism the most common disease arising from a hormonal insufficiency.(2) Gender is an influencing factor, as women are three to seven times more likely to develop hypothyroidism than men.(1) Known risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing this disease include having a family history of hypothyroidism and pregnancy.(1) Recent research by the British Medical Journal (2021) suggests that taking birth control pills, or oral contraceptives (OCs), may also increase the odds of developing hypothyroidism.(3)

Beat Autoimmune Disease with Palmer Kippola

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Autoimmune Disease May 26, 2021May 26, 2021autoimmune disease, autoimmunity, palmer kippola

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Palmer Kippola on how to beat autoimmune disease and her new book “Beat Autoimmune: The 6 Keys to Reverse Your Condition and Reclaim Your Health”. We had a great talk walking through her F.I.G.H.T.S. protocol which includes food, infections, gut health, hormones, toxins, and stress.

Our focus in this interview was on practical strategies for those with autoimmune disease to implement right away into their lives. Palmer has dealt with autoimmune disease herself, so she offers a unique perspective.

How to Increase Stomach Acid Naturally

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Digestion May 10, 2021achlorhydria, betaine hcl, herbal bitters, hydrochloric acid, hypochlorhydria, stomach acid

Functional medicine practitioners often take a “Foods First” approach, recommending dietary modifications to improve health. However, for those with low stomach acid, diet alone may not be enough to ensure adequate nutrition. Low stomach acid can impair digestive ability, causing nutritional deficiencies even in those individuals consuming an optimal diet.

This article will focus on the main digestive chemical associated with the stomach, hydrochloric acid. The causes of low stomach acid and the associated symptoms will be covered. In addition, natural treatment options for low stomach acid, such as betaine HCL and herbal bitters will be discussed.

Are Oxalates Damaging Your Thyroid?

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Thyroid April 26, 2021Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, oxalates, sally norton, thyroid

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Sally Norton in a discussion about how oxalates affect your thyroid and your health. We covered what oxalates are and how they can damage the body. We also discussed how oxalates affect gut health, liver health, thyroid health as well as all the symptoms and associated conditions connected to oxalates.

If you’re really struggling to get well, but your diet appears to be healthy, oxalates may be the missing link.

Dr. Theodore Belfor on Cranial Facial Development

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Functional Medicine Research April 12, 2021airway resistance, Breath, Dr. Theodore Belfor, homeoblock appliance, insomnia, James Nestor, sleep apnea

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Dr. Theodore Belfor in a discussion on cranial facial development and airway resistance. If you have read James Nestor’s new book “Breath” then you are aware of Dr. Belfor’s work.

We talked about the causes of abnormal cranial development and how this causes airway resistance and a number of health problems including sleep apnea, insomnia, IBS, bruxism, and more.

Our cranial bones don’t form properly when we aren’t breastfed and eat a modern diet of processed foods. Dr. Belfor’s oral appliances help to correct these abnormal developments to restore proper facial bone structure and improve the airway.

COVID-19 Mental Health Crises

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Depression/Anxiety March 29, 2021anxiety, Covid-19, depression, PTSD, SARS-CoV-2

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Dr. Ron Parks in a discussion about COVID-19 and the mental health crises. Dr. Parks has written a new book “COVID-19 and Mental Health Crises” which we discuss as well as a variety of other topics that can help those afflicted by this pandemic.

The mental health aspects of COVID-19 are often overlooked with more of a focus on the physical aspects of the illness, medications, vaccines etc. As usual in the United States, mental health is pushed to the back of the bus with little to no dialogue or support for those who need psychological support. Dr. Parks provides a voice for those in need with his excellent new book.

GI-MAP Stool Test Interpretation

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Digestion March 15, 2021calprotectin, Diagnostic Solutions Lab, dysbiosis, GI-MAP Stool Test, gut microbiome, pancreatic elastase, parasites, secretory IgA, Tom Fabian

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Tom Fabian, PhD in a detailed discussion about the GI-MAP stool test interpretation. We covered virtually every aspect of the GI-MAP stool test including what the test results mean and how to use them in clinical practice.

Dr. Fabian has tremendous knowledge of the gut microbiome and the intricacies of the GI-MAP stool test markers. This is a vital interivew to listen to if you’re utilizing the GI-MAP stool test in your practice.

Sacred Cow with Robb Wolf

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Functional Medicine Research March 1, 2021diana rodgers, meat, plant-based diet, Robb Wolf, sacred cow, sustainable agriculture, veganism

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Robb Wolf about his new book and documentary Sacred Cow. We had a great conversation dispelling some of the myths about meat and saturated fat as well as climate change, plant-based diets, sustainable agriculture, veganism, cattle and methane, and the ethics of eating animals.

This was a well-rounded interview packed with information that should help people make better decisions about what they eat but also become educated about the facts around meat. I highly recommend watching the Sacred Cow documentary and reading the book which goes into tremendous detail on these issues.

Limbic System Retraining with Ashok Gupta

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Depression/Anxiety February 15, 2021February 15, 2021adverse childhood experiences, gupta program, limbic system retraining, mindfullness-based stress reduction, neuroplasticity, post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, stress

In this episode of Functional Medicine Research, I interview Ashok Gupta about his limbic system retraining program. Trauma of any kind can change the brain and nervous system in a way that prevents one from getting well. Many people never get well because they don’t address the underlying trauma that has triggered or contributed to their health challenges.

If you’ve tried eating right, exercising, sleeping well, taken the best supplements, and managed your stress, but you still aren’t feeling well, your brain and nervous system may be out of balance. The Gupta Program is designed to change the neuroplasticity of your brain and nervous system so you can heal and feel well again.

We discuss a new and exciting published paper that validates this method of limbic system retraining.

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