The Optimal Health Blog
The Four Benefits of Probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii (S boulardii)
Bojana Jankovic Weatherly, MD, MSc, FACP, IFMCP and Erica Gittleson, RD What is S boulardii? S boulardii is a non-pathogenic (non disease-causing) yeast considered to be a probiotic that was isolated in 1920 by Henri Boulard. He observed that individuals who ingested...
Autoimmunity and Probiotics
In our previous blog, we discussed the role of the microbiome in autoimmunity and how you can use comprehensive microbiome testing to inform your approaches to long-term wellness. But the elephant-in-the-room question is: what about probiotics? If the microbiome can...
How to Calculate Your Protein Needs
Written by Erica Gittleson, RD; Select sections of article written by and article reviewed by Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly. Protein is needed by every cell and tissue in our body. It is part of the three main macronutrients, along with carbohydrates and fat. The...
The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Autoimmunity
Written by Jonah Udall; Select sections of article written by and article reviewed by Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly. The gastrointestinal microbiome is increasingly recognized as an integral part of multiple systems of the human body. Many researchers believe that...
Probiotics and Your Mood
Written by Erica Gittleson, RD; Select sections of article written by and article reviewed by Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions, characterized by significant and persistent depressed mood and diminished...
Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Beneficial for Health?
Written by Erica Gittleson, RD; Select sections of article written by and article reviewed by Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly. With many probiotics and prebiotics being marketed for health benefits, you may wonder if and how they are relevant to your health. We share...
Dr. Bojana’s Anti-Inflammatory Tea
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/W5KfUPUV3VA One of my favorite rituals are medicinal teas. As someone with an autoimmune condition and a family history of autoimmunity, I incorporate anti-inflammatory rituals into my days. One of these is turmeric tea. I use a high...
Aspartame: Does It Cause Cancer?
Written by Erica Gittleson, RD; Select sections of article written by and article reviewed by Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly. What is aspartame? Aspartame is an artificial, high-intensity sweetener. It is 200x sweeter than sugar. What’s it in? Aspartame is...
Berrylicious smoothie
One of my favorite protein smoothies that tastes better than ice cream 2 servings: Mixed frozen berries 1 banana Any additional berries or fruit you have in the fridge/at home that you want to add to the mix 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds 2 scoops glutamine powder (I...