Black Friday Code: DIGEST35

Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC

DC, Clinician, Lead Researcher

Dr. Michael Ruscio is a DC, natural health provider, researcher, and clinician. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bridgeport and has published numerous papers in scientific journals.

Dr. Ruscio received his BS in exercise science from the University of Massachusetts, his DC from Life West, and is a board-certified Doctor of Natural Medicine through the ANMCB.

Dr. Ruscio founded the Ruscio Institute of Functional Health, a consulting practice and research clinic that helps patients heal a wide range of GI conditions. Dr. Ruscio serves as the Head of Research, rigorously researching complex gastrointestinal disorders as well as their relationship to thyroid health.

From his clinical research and experience, Dr. Ruscio authored a book Healthy Gut, Healthy You, created a Thyroid Self-Management Course, and developed the first ever over-the-counter fully elemental diet formula on the market.

Dr. Ruscio is an allied member of the Gastro AnP (Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians) and ILADS (the International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society). He also lectures for the IFM (Institute for Functional Medicine) and is an instructor for the A4M (American Academy of Antiaging Medicine).

In 2016, Dr. Ruscio started the Dr. Ruscio Radio podcast, which frequently ranks in the top charts for Alternative Health podcasts.

Clinical Experience

Dr. Ruscio’s clinical experience is extensive and centers around digestive health while also exploring its connection to hypothyroidism, histamine intolerance, MCAS and chronic infections.

This includes:

Gastrointestinal

  • Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating & abdominal pain
  • Leaky gut & food sensitivities
  • Candida overgrowth
  • Reflux, heartburn, and stomach acid
  • Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis

Hormonal

  • Hypothyroid & Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Natural supports for female hormones

Cognitive, Inflammatory & infectious

  • Fatigue, Brain fog
  • Lyme disease & co-infections (Bartonella, Babesia)
  • Histamine intolerance & MCAS

Research Experience

Dr. Ruscio feels scientific research is critical for understanding how to better help those struggling with health challenges. While staying current on the most recent clinical publications, he also performs and publishes research within his clinic.

This research has focused on:

  • Herbal treatment for SIBO and SIBO biofilm
  • The Gut-Thyroid and the Gut-Thyroid-Nutrient Axes
  • Ancestral principles for gut health
  • The scientific application of probiotics

Ongoing data collection and research involves:

  • Novel uses for the elemental diet
  • The utility of urinary mold testing
  • Herbal treatments for Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia
  • Probiotics Triple Therapy

Publications

  • Ruscio, M., Guard, G., Piedrahita, G., & D’Adamo, C. R. (2022). The relationship between gastrointestinal health, micronutrient concentrations, and autoimmunity: A focus on the thyroid. Nutrients 14(17), 3572. doi:10.3390/nu14173572
  • Ruscio, M., Guard, G., & Mather, J. (2022). Symptoms originally attributed to thyroid dysfunction were instead caused by suboptimal gastrointestinal health: A case series and literature review. Integrative Medicine (Encinitas), 21(3), 22–29.
  • Ruscio, M. (2019). Is SIBO a real condition? Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 25 (5), 30–38.
  • Ruscio, M. (2018). Healthy Gut, Healthy You: The personalized plan to transform your health from the inside out. Las Vegas, NV: The Ruscio Institute.
  • Ruscio, M. (2017). Do you really want a hunter-gatherer microbiota? Journal of Evolution and Health, 2(1).

Professional Training

  • International Lyme & Associated Diseases ILADs certification
  • Gastro ANP (Naturopathic Gastroenterology Board)
  • Institute of Functional Medicine
  • Hedberg Institute, Infections Connection training
  • Integrative Healthcare Symposium IHS
  • American Naturopathic Medical Association
  • Frontiers in Neurology and Brain Health – George Washington University School of Medicine
  • SIBO Pro Course
  • SIBO Symposium
  • World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine
  • National Association of Nutrition Professionals
  • Ancestral Health Symposium
  • The Forgotten Role of Micronutrients in Gastrointestinal Health
  • Integrative SIBO Conference
  • International Congress on Natural Medicine
  • Gut, Microbiota, and Thyroid for Practitioners
  • Integrative Therapy Approaches to Treating Tick-Borne Disease

Personal Health Challenges

In his early twenties, Dr. Ruscio personally dealt with an intestinal parasite, amoeba histolytica.  In his early thirties, he had mold in two consecutive homes. In his late thirties he dealt with the Lyme-family organisms of Bartonella and Babesia. While painful, he used these challenges as an opportunity to learn, research, and develop into a vastly better clinician.

Michael Ruscio

Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC's Articles

Candida Biofilm Treatment for Weight Loss

Candida Biofilm Treatment for Weight Loss

This is a patient conversation from a few years ago but I thought it was worth sharing. It illustrates the importance of treating biofilms in stubborn cases of candida.  It also illustrates how fairly remarkable weight loss can be achieved by improving your gut health. Subscribe to Dr. Ruscio’s Weekly Videos Case Study: Candida and

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #17

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #17

If you need help using this information to become healthier, click here In case you missed it On Monday, Dr. Ruscio talks about FMT, or Fecal Microbiota Therapy, and its side effects, such as weight gain. During Wednesday’s Podcast, Dr. Ruscio interviews Susan Swithers, Ph.D. where they discuss the effects of artificial sweeteners on your

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #16

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #16

If you need help using this information to become healthier, click here In case you missed it On Monday, Dr. Ruscio addresses the connection between your gut health and adrenal function. During Wednesday’s podcast, the doctor and Susan examine how stress can negatively affect your gut microbiota. Latest Research Subclinical hypothyroid (high TSH with normal

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #15

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #15

If you need help using this information to become healthier, click here Latest Research Aspirin reduced colorectal cancer death. SIBO strikes in developing countries. Both low and high vitamin D associated with increased cardiovascular disease mortality (death). Low vitamin D seen in GI disorders, which suggests low vitamin D levels may be a sign of

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #14

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #14

If you need help using this information to become healthier, click here Latest Research Aspirin reduced colorectal cancer risk Dr. R’s Notes: this is partially counterintuitive because of NSAID’s documented negative effect on the gut which is probably why GI side effects were reported in some of these studies. However, the anti-inflammatory effect seems to

When to Introduce Gluten Into Your Child’s Diet – Episode 35

When to Introduce Gluten Into Your Child’s Diet – Episode 35

In this episode of Dr. Ruscio Radio, the doc and Susan answer a listener question about the timing and feasibility of gluten introduction in babies and children. If you need help with diagnosis or treatment of a digestive or other issue, click here Dr. R’s Fast Facts For children – There is a spectrum of

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #13

Dr. Ruscio’s, DC Weekly Wrap Up – #13

If you need help using this information to become healthier, click here Latest Research Those with celiac have 10 times greater likelihood of having inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. R’s note: preliminary screening for IBD can be done via a simple blood test. I have found this to be very helpful for some patients on a

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