Understanding Mucosal Tolerance: Lessons from a Nutritionist
Posted by Andrea Nakayama
Several years ago, when attending live seminars was still a regular occurrence, I spent the day in an air-conditioned basement-level hotel conference room in San Francisco. While being inside on a sunny Sunday isn’t at the top of my list of things to do – the opportunity for continued education and learning from one of my mentors made my time inside worthwhile. I’m thrilled to introduce you to the mentor who drew me to the city by the Bay and inside on that sunny Sunday, Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Dr. Michael Ash.
Dr. Ash is brilliant at articulating the important intersection of digestive and immune health (a favorite subject of mine!) His focus on nutrition, clinical know-how, and his commitment to building a bridge to the patient with a true ‘food as medicine’ approach to mucosal integrity is music to my ears.
Today, I’m sharing a short lesson on mucosal tolerance. This audio clip provides a sneak peek into one of our Guest Health interviews found in Full Body Systems.
In the audio clip, Dr. Ash shares:
- Why healing the mucosal barriers is so important to human health
- His favorite functional food for gut health (which might surprise you!)
- One important lifestyle modification to help your clients improve their health right away
Dr. Ash is truly the master of mucosal integrity (the place where digestion and immunity converge.) So buckle your science seatbelt and let’s explore how you can help clients improve their mucosal tolerance (and explain why it matters!)
More about Nutritionist, Dr. Michael Ash
After being in full-time clinical practice for 25 years, Dr. Ash now devotes his time to research, writing and the management of complex immune-mediated illnesses through the application of natural and pharmaceutical interventions.
He has also been an adjunct member of the Institute for Functional Medicine’s faculty for many years (that’s where I first met him). He specializes in the role of wet tissues (think GI and respiratory!) in human health and the use of food and lifestyle-based interventions aimed at strengthening these important barriers.
Be sure to go back to episode #52 of the 15-Minute Matrix, where Dr. Ash Maps Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Where would we be without them?!
Read more from the Functional Nutrition Alliance
The biggest mistakes to practicing functionally
What’s Functional and what’s not Part 1
EXPERIENCE A FREE TRAINING SERIES WITH ANDREA NAKAYAMA TO HELP YOU
Begin practicing functionally today!
MORE TO EXPLORE
You Might Also Like
From Healing to Clinical Mastery: Functional Nutrition and Wellness Coach Tita Nieves
In the world of healthcare, the pursuit of knowledge and innovative approaches to patient care is a never-ending journey. For health and wellness coaches and practitioners seeking to broaden their understanding and enhance their clinical skill set, the Functional Nutritional Alliance Full Body Systems program stands apart as a central hub for comprehensive and transformative […]
Read MorePaleo Banana Snickerdoodles
If you’ve been following the Paleo diet trend, you’ve probably come across recipes that incorporate bananas into various baked goods. Recently, I decided to conduct a little experiment and research to determine whether bananas, which are often viewed skeptically due to their perceived high sugar content, are worth the hype. First, let’s look at their […]
Read MoreThe Functional Nutrition Guide to Fats and Oils
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to fats and oils! This guide aims to provide you with valuable insights into the different types of fats and oils available, their sources, and how to make informed decisions about incorporating them into your diet. Fats and oils are more than just macronutrients; they are essential for overall health […]
Read MoreProtein: The Functional Nutrition Benefits of Nature’s Building Blocks
Protein: A fundamental element in Functional Nutrition As a key part of the Functional Nutrition Alliance’s Fat, Fiber, Protein principle for health and healing, protein deserves our attention and investigation. Protein is one of the essential macronutrients required by the human body to function properly. It’s composed of smaller units called amino acids, which are […]
Read More