The Turd Nerds

Could Lyme disease or co-infections be contributing to gut symptoms that aren’t improving?

In this episode, Dr. Crane Holmes and the turd nerds break down Lyme disease and common co-infections - including Bartonella and Babesia - and how they can impact not just the gut, but the entire body.

We explore how these infections can present as chronic digestive issues, brain fog, inflammation, and multi-system symptoms that don’t respond to typical treatments.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Lyme disease actually is (and why it’s often misunderstood)
• The role of co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia
• How these infections can affect the gut, nervous system, and immune system
• Why symptoms often go beyond digestion (brain fog, fatigue, joint pain)
• When to consider Lyme or co-infections in complex cases
• Challenges with testing and diagnosis
• Treatment approaches, including antimicrobials, herbs, and biofilm support

This episode is for anyone dealing with chronic gut symptoms, unexplained inflammation, or complex health issues that haven’t improved with standard approaches.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Dr. Crane Holmes

https://www.drcraneholmes.com/

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if your gut symptoms aren’t SIBO—and aren’t improving despite treatment?

In this episode, we explore a common clinical scenario: patients with bloating, gas, and digestive issues that look like SIBO but don’t respond to standard therapies. We take a deeper look at mold exposure, mast cell activation, and histamine as overlooked drivers of chronic gut symptoms.

Dr. Crane Holmes joins us to break down how mold can impact the gastrointestinal system, why symptoms often extend beyond the gut, and how to recognize when something more complex is going on.

In this episode, we discuss:

• When to suspect something beyond SIBO
• How mold exposure can drive gut inflammation and symptoms
• The connection between mold, mast cells, and histamine
• Why patients may have multi-system symptoms (brain fog, fatigue, sinus issues)
• The role of environmental testing (ERMI) vs lab testing
• Practical approaches to treatment, including binders, detox support, and reducing exposure

👋 Connect with the Dr. Crane Holmes

⁠https://www.drcraneholmes.com/

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What does the vagus nerve actually do—and why does it matter for gut health, IBS, and anxiety?

In this episode, we break down the vagus nerve in a clear, practical way, focusing on how it connects the gut and brain and why low vagal tone is linked to conditions like IBS, IBD, anxiety, depression, and chronic inflammation.

We also explore why common advice like humming, gargling, or cold exposure which often isn’t enough on its own, and what actually makes a meaningful difference clinically.

You’ll learn how the vagus nerve regulates digestion, stress response, inflammation, and gut motility, and how disruptions in this system can create a cycle of persistent symptoms.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What the vagus nerve is and how it connects the gut and brain

- Why low vagal tone is linked to IBS, anxiety, and inflammation

- How stress and the microbiome impact vagus nerve function

- Why gut symptoms and mental health symptoms often overlap

- Evidence-based ways to support vagal tone (breathing, cold exposure, exercise, social connection, and more)

- When vagus nerve stimulators and clinical tools may be helpful

This episode is for anyone dealing with IBS, chronic gut symptoms, anxiety, or feeling “stuck” despite trying multiple approaches to gut health.

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com

Why does chronic diarrhea continue even when testing is normal?

In this episode, we walk through a case of microscopic colitis and how to approach persistent gut symptoms that don’t respond to standard treatment. We break down what microscopic colitis is, why it’s often missed on routine colonoscopy, and how it can present as long-standing, non-bloody diarrhea.

We also explore how medications like PPIs, NSAIDs, and SSRIs may contribute, and how overlapping factors like dysbiosis, inflammation, and even constipation can complicate the clinical picture.In this episode, we discuss:- Chronic diarrhea and when to look beyond IBS- What microscopic colitis is and how it’s diagnosed- Why colonoscopies can miss key findings- The role of medications in gut inflammation- Treatment approaches, including budesonide, bismuth, and bile acid binders- Functional medicine perspectives on persistent gut symptomsMusic provided by Blue Dot.👋 Connect with the Turds!Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we revisit bloating through a Chinese medicine lens with Ellen Goldsmith, focusing on digestion as a process of movement, not just intake.

We explore how patterns like stagnation, dysregulation, and impaired “downward flow” contribute to symptoms like distension, brain fog, and discomfort. The conversation highlights common contributors such as stress, irregular eating, cold foods, and dietary excesses.

We also discuss practical strategies like meal timing, warming foods, and simple dietary adjustments to support more efficient digestion.

It’s a systems-based approach to understanding why bloating happens and how to address it in a more individualized way.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Ellen Goldsmith

⁠https://pearlnaturalhealth.com/⁠

⁠Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine by Ellen Goldsmith⁠

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we’re joined by Chinese dietetics expert Ellen Goldsmith to explore how traditional food systems approach digestion, health, and prevention. We discuss the framework of the five flavors, seasonal eating, and how these principles influence digestive function, satiety, and overall physiology. The conversation also highlights how modern dietary patterns can disrupt these regulatory signals, leading to persistent symptoms and cravings. Rather than focusing on restriction, this approach emphasizes restoring balance through everyday food choices. It’s a practical, systems-based perspective on how to think about food as part of long-term digestive health.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Ellen Goldsmith

https://pearlnaturalhealth.com/

Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine by Ellen Goldsmith

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this conversation, the Turd Nerds are joined by Dr. Mark Davis and the hosts discuss the significance of fiber and prebiotics in gut health, emphasizing personalized approaches to treatment. They explore the challenges of microbiome testing, the management of conditions like C. diff and chronic candida, and the role of prebiotics in treating constipation. The discussion also touches on SIBO testing and treatment perspectives, highlighting the evolving landscape of gut health and the importance of individualized care.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Dr. Mark Davis

⁠https://www.foundational-medicine.com/⁠

⁠https://www.probioticinfusions.com/about⁠

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Turd Nerds, the Turds are joined by Dr. Mark Davis, ND and we take a deep dive into the strange but powerful world of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—what happens when you transplant an entire microbial ecosystem into the human gut and why it can be so effective for certain diseases. We explore why FMT is nearly curative for C. difficile, how dosing and delivery affect outcomes in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and share striking clinical stories of severe inflammatory bowel disease improving after repeated treatments.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Dr. Mark Davis

https://www.foundational-medicine.com/

https://www.probioticinfusions.com/about

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this conversation, the docs discuss the treatment of menopause, focusing on hormone therapy, diet, herbal remedies, and the importance of movement. She emphasizes the role of estrogen and progesterone in managing symptoms, the significance of a balanced diet rich in fiber and polyphenols, and the benefits of herbal supplements. Additionally, she highlights the necessity of regular exercise and monitoring health markers to improve overall well-being during the perimenopausal and menopausal stages.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This conversation delves into the intricate relationship between perimenopause, insulin resistance, and the microbiome. Dr. Rebecca Sand discusses how hormonal changes during perimenopause affect insulin sensitivity, fat distribution, and overall health. The importance of dietary adjustments, particularly increasing protein intake and maintaining gut health, is emphasized as a means to manage symptoms and improve well-being during this transitional phase. The discussion also touches on the implications of aging and inflammation on mental health, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to treatment.

Music provided by Blue Dot.

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠