In this episode, hosts Nikki and Amy announce that they will be taking a break for the month of December to enjoy the holiday season and avoid the stress of creating content during this busy time. They discuss their holiday plans, including Nikki's trip to Buffalo for a snowy Christmas. The hosts emphasize the importance of practicing self-care and not rushing their episodes, promising to return in mid-January with fresh perspectives and quality content. They also touch on their t...

In this episode, hosts Nikki and Amy discuss strategies for managing and enjoying the holiday season while dealing with IBS. They share personal experiences and offer practical advice on how to shift from a survival mentality to one of enjoyment and connection. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindset, self-compassion, and finding joy despite digestive challenges. They also touch on techniques to communicate needs to family members and suggest creative ways to participate in holi...

In this episode recorded around Halloween, the hosts discuss the multifaceted benefits of vitamin C for overall health, beyond its well-known role in boosting immunity. They explore its impact on gut health, including its role as an antioxidant, its necessity in collagen synthesis for tissue repair and gut barrier function, and its influence on mitochondrial energy production through carnitine synthesis. The discussion touches on how vitamin C affects the microbiome, potentially increasing be...

In the grand finale of the single nutrient series on B vitamins, Amy and Nikki dive deep into cobalamin (Vitamin B12). They discuss interesting facts about B12, its distinct status as the only vitamin containing a mineral, and how it's the largest of the B vitamins. The conversation covers various aspects such as its functions in energy metabolism, neurological health, and oxygen delivery. They explore the importance of B12 in mental health, cognition, and anemia prevention. The hosts also ad...

In this episode, hosts Amy and Nikki dive into a controversial discussion about folic acid and folate supplements, challenging common beliefs held within the functional medicine community. They explore the role of folate in human health, debunk myths around the MTHFR gene mutation, and emphasize the potential benefits of folic acid. They discuss various factors that affect folate absorption, such as zinc and riboflavin dependency, and highlight the importance of balanced nutrition over ...

In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, Amy and Nikki introduce guest Dave Mayo, a veteran in the health and wellness industry. With over 25 years of experience, Dave has focused on gut health and circadian rhythms, transitioning from his 'Hack Your Gut' site to sharing content on Substack and YouTube. The discussion covers Dave's insights into the pitfalls of modern diet tribes, misinformation around AI-generated health advice, and the importance of a balanced, evidence-based approach to...

In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, Amy and Nikki dive into the multifaceted world of Vitamin B7, or biotin. They explore common misconceptions about biotin, highlighting that it strengthens hair and nails rather than promoting growth. The discussion also uncovers lesser-known benefits such as biotin's role in fatty acid synthesis, blood sugar metabolism, and the gut microbiome. The hosts emphasize the importance of a balanced diet rich in biotin from animal-based sources such as live...

Unlocking the Secrets of Nervous System Regulation with Eliza Kingsford In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, hosts Amy and Nikki are joined by licensed psychotherapist Eliza Kingsford. They delve into the importance of nervous system regulation in managing health conditions such as IBS. Eliza shares her personal journey and professional insights into how trauma, stress, and emotional health impact physical wellness. The conversation explores the interconnectedness of mental, physical,...

In this episode, Nikki & Amy discuss the growing role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly healthcare. They explore the potential benefits and risks of AI tools, stressing the importance of critical thinking and human interaction in evaluating and utilizing AI-derived information. The conversation covers personal anecdotes, the limitations of AI in diagnosing and treating complex health conditions, and the necessity of human oversight in medical decision-making. They also touch ...

In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, Amy and Nikki welcome special guest Bonnie Roney, a registered dietitian and intuitive eating expert from Diet Culture Rebel. Bonnie shares her personal journey with disordered eating and explains how it led her to become an advocate for intuitive eating and a healthier relationship with food. The discussion covers the impact of diet culture, restrictive eating, and intuitive eating as a therapeutic approach for both mental and physical well-b...

In this episode, Amy and Nikki dive into the significance of Vitamin B6, also known as the magician nutrient. They discuss its critical roles in energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, immune system function, and more. The talk also covers common deficiencies, populations at higher risk, such as those with malabsorptive conditions, and the elderly. They emphasize the importance of getting nutrients from food over supplements and caution against overly restrictive diets that may lead to...

Unpacking Disordered Eating and IBS with Kelly Jewel, RDN In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, hosts Amy and Nikki welcome Kelly Jewel, a registered dietician specializing in nutrition therapy for individuals with disordered eating. They dive deep into the distinctions between disordered eating and eating disorders, discussing how disordered eating behaviors can become normalized or problematic. Kelly shares insights on the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of these behaviors, e...

In today's episode, Amy and Nikki take a break from guest episodes to continue their single nutrient series, focusing on the often overlooked vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid. They discuss its pivotal role in energy metabolism, gut health, and immune function. Despite common beliefs that deficiencies in B5 are rare, they highlight how certain diets and lifestyles could lead to subclinical deficiencies. Additionally, Nikki shares a personal story about a recent eye health scare, emph...

In this engaging episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, Amy and Nicole welcomes back Dr. Sarah Ballantyne for her second appearance. They delve deep into Dr. Ballantyne's journey from restrictive diets to embracing a nutrient-dense, diverse way of eating called Nutrivore. Discussing the importance of dietary diversity for the gut microbiome and overall health, Dr. Ballantyne shares her transformation in understanding gut health through extensive research. She emphasizes the drawbacks of l...

Unlocking the Power of Niacin: Energy, Immunity, and Gut Health In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, the hosts explore the critical role of niacin (Vitamin B3) in bodily functions. They discuss its importance for energy metabolism and ATP production, affecting everything from fatigue and brain fog to gut health and the gut-brain axis. The conversation delves into niacin's role in DNA repair, immune modulation, and neurotransmitter release. They also touch on the challenges of maintain...

In this episode, the hosts delve into the world of probiotics with their special guest, Bailey Hanna, a registered dietitian specializing in IBS and digestive health. Bailey shares her personal journey with IBS and how it led her to a career dedicated to dispelling misinformation about probiotics. The discussion covers the complexities of probiotics, the importance of strain specificity, and highlights some of the most effective probiotic strains for IBS based on Bailey's extensive research.&...

The Role and Importance of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) in Health and Nutrition In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, the hosts discuss riboflavin (Vitamin B2), a crucial nutrient that often turns urine bright yellow when consumed in excess. They delve into the origins of its name, its importance in various bodily functions, including energy production, fatty acid oxidation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. They also explore who might be at risk for riboflavin deficiency, such as individuals...

In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, Amy and Nicole celebrate the start of season three by diving into the first episode of their single-nutrient series, focusing on Vitamin B1 (thiamine). They discuss the critical role of thiamine in energy production, gut-brain axis function, and overall health. Highlighting its importance to the autonomic nervous system and its potential impacts on motility and stomach acid production, the hosts emphasize the need for a balanced diet over supplement...

Welcome to Season 3: Life Updates, Strategies for Healthy Habits, and What's Next for IBS Freedom In the kickoff episode of season three of the IBS Freedom Podcast, hosts Dr. Nicole DiNezza and Amy Hollenkamp reintroduce themselves and share life updates, including Amy's new baby and Nicole's trip to Orlando. They reflect on challenges and strategies around behavior change, particularly as it relates to gut health. Nicole discusses her program, FODMAP Freedom, and Amy announces her revamped ...

IBS Freedom Podcast: Season 2 Finale and Future PlansIn the season finale of the IBS Freedom Podcast, hosts Amy and Nikki wrap up Season 2 as Amy prepares for maternity leave, with the podcast set to return in early 2025. They reflect on memorable moments, including interviews with Michelle Cavanaugh and Sarah Ballantyne. Looking ahead to Season 3, they plan to explore complex topics and delve into individual nutrients. The hosts also discuss personal anecdotes, such as Cece's unique baby hai...