Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND
640 Eglinton Ave West #205 L5R3V2 Mississauga, ON, Canada

Did you know that the gut environment plays an important role in immune and overall health? . The immune system mostly lives in the gut. That’s right about 70 per cent of the immune system is housed in the digestive tract! The immune system is the main link between gut bacteria and their influence on health and disease [1]. Therefore, having a healthy gut and immune system depends on the health of one’s gut microbiota and what we put in our body to help (or harm) the...se friendly bacteria. . One of the easiest ways to encourage the growth of healthy gut flora is to consume a diverse diet, specifically one that is high in different types of fibres. Fibre acts a "prebiotic, or fuel, to feed beneficial gut bacteria. The more resistant starches, pectans, and beta-glucans we can consume such as in foods like oats, flax seed, onions, garlic, and fruits the better. . In fact, prebiotics like beta-glucans increase host immune defence by activating complement system, enhancing white blood cells (specifically macrophages) and natural killer cell function [2]. Essentially, prebiotics can allow our immune system to better signal our army to fight invading pathogens. . . . Medical art credit: SaraIllamas . References: [1] Wu HJ, Wu E. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012;3(1):4-14. doi:10.4161/gmic.19320. . [2] Akramiene D, Kondrotas A, Didziapetriene J, Kevelaitis E. Effects of beta-glucans on the immune system. Medicina (Kaunas). 2007;43(8):597-606. See more

Saying goodbye to our last weekend of the summer and appreciating the beauty of Georgian Bay. #labourday #wasagabeach #georgianbay #helloautumn

I am excited to announce that I have been chosen as one of the top 6 for Mississauga's best Naturopathic Doctor as well as best Naturopathic Clinic category. To get to the top 3 and I need your help! Please vote! Thank you for your support :) https://www.mississauga.com//peop/subcategories/naturopath https://www.mississauga.com///naturopathic-clinic-services

As you know digestion is one of my favourite topics because it is so intricately connected to many other areas of our health, such as #hormones, #thyroid, and #weightmanagement. . When was the last time you looked at your ? . can tell us a lot about what’s going on internally like how much water (or lack thereof) you've had, fibre content in your diet, and potentially more serious issues like underlying disease processes, functional digestive disorders like #IBS, or gut... infections. . This picture is actually referred to as the Bristol Stool Chart and is used to categorize your . The ideal is type 3 or 4. If yours is type 1 or 2, you are probably #constipated, whereas types 5, 6, and 7 tend toward #diarrhea. . Not type 3 or 4? Consider working with a naturopathic doctor to look a little deeper . Special thanks to @drrenatazambo for her skilled drawing ;) See more

Why are ‘bitters' important for digestive health? . Bitters refer to bitter foods and bitter herbs which play an important role in gastrointestinal (GI) secretions. When bitters hit tongue receptors, they stimulate the vagus nerve which sends signals to the salivary glands and the stomach. This generally results in increased hydrochloric acid, digestive enzyme, and bile production, as well as overall improved digestive function. . Examples of bitter foods: bitter melon, cruc...iferous veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, dandelion, coffee, and green tea . Examples of bitter herbs: gentian, wormwood, goldenseal, dandelion root, chamomile, and milk thistle. . What’s your favourite way to include bitters in your diet? . Ref: Review article -- "Bitters: Time for a new Paradigm" http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/670504 See more