By Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN A woman living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) recently told me about her search for relief. She had consulted experts around the country, yet still felt as though important pieces of her experience had gone unexplored. I asked whether anyone had talked with her about the spleen. For her, it was a new question. That conversation inspired me to share some important research. I do not know 100% whether her spleen is intimately involved in all

By Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN The surprising connection between purple pigments, acetylcholine, trace nicotine, and the brain I have a confession to make: eggplant is not my favorite food. But it has been the favorite food of someone I love. Because of them, eggplant has always had a place in my heart, even if it has not always had a regular place on my plate. So, when I recently came across an article exploring the unusual nutritional chemistry of eggplant, I became curious. Th

By Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN When someone asks me what I would recommend for interstitial cystitis, my most honest answer is: I would first want to know much more about the person. Interstitial cystitis, now commonly called interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or IC/BPS, is not believed to have one universal cause. It may involve some combination of bladder-lining irritation, inflammation, immune activation, pelvic-floor dysfunction, nerve hypersensitivity, hormonal chan

BY Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN What microcirculation, anthocyanins, and vascular dementia can teach us about keeping the brain strong If I told you there was an herb traditionally associated with eyesight, you might immediately think about the eyes. But what if the more interesting story is actually about the blood vessels behind the eyes…and throughout the brain? That is the question that has changed the way I think about Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Bilberry has long been as

By Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN If you’re looking for help with nutrition, you may have encountered several different titles: registered dietitian, nutritionist, holistic nutritionist, clinical nutritionist, health coach, functional nutritionist. They are not interchangeable. And one isn’t necessarily “better” than another. The better question is: What kind of help are you looking for? Understanding the differences can help you choose the professional whose education, approach, an

When your brain doesn’t feel like your brain, it can be unsettling. Maybe you’re forgetting words. Losing your train of thought. Walking into a room and wondering why you’re there. Struggling to focus on work that once felt effortless. And eventually, the question comes: Who should I see about this? A neurologist? A holistic nutritionist? Strong On Health? The answer isn’t necessarily one or the other. It depends on what is happening—and what you need. What Does a Neurologist

Nutrition advice is everywhere. Eat more protein. Eat less protein. Fast. Don’t fast. Go plant-based. Go carnivore. Track everything. Stop tracking anything. No wonder people are confused. Eventually many people decide they need professional help—and then discover another confusing question: Should I see a registered dietitian or a holistic nutritionist? They are not the same thing. And one is not automatically “better” than the other. They serve different purposes. What Is a

“Root cause” may be one of the most overused phrases in wellness today. Functional medicine talks about it. Holistic practitioners talk about it. Nutrition professionals talk about it. Social media definitely talks about it. But underneath all of that language is an important question: What kind of care are you actually receiving? Because holistic nutrition support and functional medicine can overlap in philosophy without being the same service. What Is Functional Medicine? T

“I just feel foggy.” We hear versions of this frequently. You can't concentrate. Your recall isn't as sharp. Words disappear halfway through a sentence. You reread the same paragraph three times. Your brain feels slower than it used to. People commonly call this brain fog. But here's the important thing to understand: Brain fog is a description of an experience—not a diagnosis. And while nutrition, sleep, stress, metabolic health, and lifestyle may all influence cognitive wel

By Dustin Strong, CHN, ACN Trauma may be part of the story. It does not have to be the end of the story. As I spend more time teaching about brain health, I keep coming back to a question that I believe deserves much more attention: What if we are still underestimating the nutritional physiology of PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder is extraordinarily complex. It would be irresponsible to suggest that PTSD is simply the result of a nutrient deficiency, or that nutrition can