brain health Archives %% - Dr Wendy Wells Naturopathic Doctor Online

Probiotics and Short Chain Fatty Acids: The Good News

Good bacteria species such as Clostridia, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia species ferment the fiber from our diet and secrete short chain fatty acids (SCFA’s) that have a positive effect on the body and brain. The names of these are butyrate, propionate, and acetate. Butyrate comes from anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides and Clostridia, these we cannot supplement in a probiotic capsule but we can feed the ones that are already colonized since birth with fiber in our diets. Propionate and Acetate are produced by aerobic bacteria and these are in common probiotic supplements. Here are the actions and [...]

Probiotics and Short Chain Fatty Acids: The Good NewsWendy Wells2025-07-13T01:44:46+00:00

Bugging the Blues: The Gut Microbiome’s Role in Depression

Ever wonder why your mood sometimes sinks for no clear reason? It turns out, the answer might lie deep in your gut—literally. While most people know serotonin as the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, fewer realize that nearly 90% of it is made in the gut. Even more surprising? Your gut bacteria play a major role in how much serotonin your body can produce—thanks in part to a microbial metabolic route called the shikimate pathway. Let’s explore how your microbes may be influencing your mood from the inside out. Serotonin is made primarily in the brain and the gut. [...]

Bugging the Blues: The Gut Microbiome’s Role in DepressionWendy Wells2025-07-06T19:12:43+00:00

Fatigue Explained: What Is It and Why It Happens

Fatigue is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care—yet it’s often misunderstood, brushed off, or treated as something you just need to “push through.” In reality, fatigue is more than just being tired. It’s a signal from the body that something deeper is out of balance. Understanding why fatigue happens is the first step to finding lasting relief. Fatigue, What Is It Really? Fatigue is not just low energy. It’s a persistent lack of physical, mental, or emotional stamina that doesn’t improve with sleep. It can affect concentration, motivation, mood, immune function, and quality of life. [...]

Fatigue Explained: What Is It and Why It HappensWendy Wells2025-06-24T21:36:41+00:00

ICD10 Code for Fatigue: Why It Matters with Headache & Nausea

Fatigue, Headache, Nausea – What’s the Connection? Find out why these symptoms often appear together and how to treat them holistically. If you’re experiencing fatigue, headaches, and nausea, you’re not alone. These three symptoms often show up together—and they can seriously disrupt daily life. But what do they really mean? And what’s the best way to treat them? In naturopathic and functional medicine, we look at these symptoms not as isolated issues, but as clues that the body is under stress and needs support. What Is the ICD10 Code for Fatigue? In medical records and insurance billing, fatigue is [...]

ICD10 Code for Fatigue: Why It Matters with Headache & NauseaWendy Wells2025-06-24T21:20:08+00:00

Brain Healing Blockers: 6 Hidden Barriers (+ How to Fix Them)

Your brain is not broken. It's brilliant, adaptable, and constantly working to heal itself. Every day, it rewires connections, detoxifies waste, repairs damage, and generates new cells. This is the power of neuroplasticity and regeneration. But when modern toxins get in the way, this natural wisdom is blocked. Understanding which chemicals impair the brain's healing—and how to avoid them—is the first step toward restoring clarity, energy, mood, and function. The Brain's Natural Healing Pathways The brain is designed to heal. Here's how it does it: Neuroplasticity – Builds and reshapes neural circuits through learning, therapy, and experience. Neurogenesis – [...]

Brain Healing Blockers: 6 Hidden Barriers (+ How to Fix Them)Wendy Wells2025-06-20T04:07:14+00:00

What Are the Best Mushrooms for Body and Brain?

Mushrooms have been used as far back as 2000 years ago by Chinese Medicine doctors. There are also accounts using mushrooms as food for the gods in Ancient Egyptian times. In modern times, the medicinal use of mushrooms for overall wellbeing, immune stimulation, brain function, cancer prevention and more is well established and accepted. While there are several super charged mushrooms that benefit the body and brain, my personal favorite is Lion's Mane as it helps grow new neurons by stimulating neural growth factors. I have seen very positive results in everyone I've given it to. It helps memory [...]

What Are the Best Mushrooms for Body and Brain?csouza2025-05-08T19:33:04+00:00

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