Haelan Empowered Blog

Haelan [IPA: 'heɪlɪn] - to heal, to cure, to alleviate anxiety

Empowered - having the knowledge, confidence, ability

 

How to reset your gut after a round of antibiotics Nov 11, 2024

It's that time of year when antibiotics start getting handed out like candy in primary care (no, they won't help your viral illness and no they aren't always needed for sinus issues). While there has been a lot of education and different toolkit and practice improvement projects around...

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What Are Food Sensitivities, How They Impact Gut Health, and How to Identify Them Oct 28, 2024

 

Do you often experience bloating, stomach cramps, or fatigue after eating certain foods? You might be dealing with food sensitivities. Unlike food allergies, which trigger an immediate immune response (difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, hives, etc.), food sensitivities...

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How Sugar Sabotages Your Gut Health: What You Need to Know Oct 21, 2024

Do you find yourself reaching for something sweet every day? Maybe it’s that afternoon candy bar, or perhaps it’s the extra sugar in your coffee. Or maybe, you don't have a sweet tooth but most of your food is prepared (eating out, quick grab and go meals) and you've started noticing...

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The Gut-Brain Axis: How Your Gut Health Directly Impacts Your Mood and Mental Well-being Sep 23, 2024

Ever had "butterflies" in your stomach before a big event or felt your digestion take a hit during a stressful day? That’s your gut and brain talking to each other! This communication between your gut and brain is known as the gut-brain axis, and it plays a crucial role in how your...

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Commensal and Keystone Bacteria: Why They Matter for Gut Health and How to Balance Your Microbiome Sep 16, 2024

Your gut is home to a diverse community of trillions of bacteria that work together to keep you healthy. Supposedly there are more microbes in your gut then there are stars in the Milky Way! 

Among these, some of the most essential gut bugs are the commensal and keystone bacteria...

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What is Akkermansia and Why Is It Crucial for Your Gut Health? Sep 09, 2024

Ever wondered what's really going on inside your gut?

You’ve probably heard a lot about probiotics and the importance of a balanced gut microbiome, but there's one specific bacterium that might not be on your radar yet: Akkermansia muciniphila.

This powerful microbe plays a significant role...

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Understanding IBS: Causes, Symptoms, and a Functional Medicine Approach to Healing Sep 02, 2024

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common digestive disorders, affecting an estimated 10-15% of the global population. If you've been struggling with chronic bloating, abdominal pain, or unpredictable bowel movements, you might have been told it's "just IBS." But for many...

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Understanding H. Pylori: The stomach's sneaky invader Aug 05, 2024

This topic is near and dear to my heart. For years I worked on my anxiety through meditation, nervous system regulation and trying ALL the different supplements. Things maybe kind-of, sort-of worked? There were improvements, but not to the extent I had hoped to see. 

When my...

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Probiotics and Gut Health Jun 24, 2024

Probiotics have gained substantial attention in recent years for their potential benefits in gut health. As living microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host, probiotics can play a crucial role in maintaining and restoring gut flora balance (helping treat gut dysbiosis).

But before...

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Leaky Gut and Inflammation May 27, 2024

If you've been following along for a bit, you are well aware that I am a firm believer of the maxim "All Health Starts In the Gut". Here's the thing - our digestive system is the primary interface between us and the outside world. Everything we put in it is information for our body. It's also one...

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