Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Fighting Misinformation Without Burning the Whole House Down

In the rush to fight misinformation, some are ready to burn the whole house down — dismissing anything outside of pharmaceuticals as pseudoscience.
But healthcare isn’t that simple.


There’s real danger in the wellness industry — and there’s real value in evidence-based natural medicine, too.


We don't fix misinformation by swinging to extremes. We fix it with critical thinking, honest conversations, and better standards across all forms of care.
In this article, I explore how we can fight false claims without losing sight of what genuinely supports patients — and why nuance isn’t a weakness. It’s our best tool for building a better system.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Maybe I am a runner - Sometimes It’s Not About Effort. It’s About Belief.

I never thought of myself as a runner. I loved hiking, sure — but running felt like something other people were built for.

Then I spotted a quiet line in my 23andMe results: “More likely than average to be good at endurance.” It caught me off guard… and made me wonder if I’d been telling myself the wrong story.

This post isn’t about speed or medals. It’s about identity, mindset, and how a tiny shift in belief can open a brand-new path. Maybe you’re not “bad” at the thing you’ve avoided. Maybe it just hasn’t had the right story yet.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Why Variety Matters—But So Does Routine

We talk a lot about variety in nutrition—but what if the secret to success is also routine?

I eat a version of the same breakfast and lunch most days. Why? Because it’s simple, nutritious, and I don’t have to think about it.

Variety doesn’t mean 21 different meals a week. It can mean rotating the fruits in your smoothie, the legumes in your lunch bowl, or the veggies in your stir-fry.

When we create systems that support our health—without requiring constant novelty—we make room for both nutrition and peace of mind.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Are You Trapped in the Gut Health Maze?

When it comes to gut health, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in a maze — chasing every possible cause, running down every path, hoping for the one answer that will make everything make sense.

But what if healing doesn’t start by finding the perfect why? What if it begins by stepping back, calming the system, and building a new way forward — even without all the answers?

In this post, we explore why chasing certainty can keep you stuck, and how real progress often comes when you stop searching for the perfect exit, and start creating a new path to wellness.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Iron Deficiency With (or Without) Anemia: The Silent Drain on Your Energy and Life

“I was short of breath taking the laundry up the stairs — but still able to power through workouts. I felt tired, but I’d adapted to a new normal.”

Iron deficiency without anemia is one of the most common, under-recognized causes of fatigue, breathlessness, poor recovery, and even brain fog — especially in menstruating women, plant-based eaters, and active individuals.

This post explores why standard blood work often misses it, the symptoms to watch for, who’s most at risk, and the right tests to ask for. If you’ve ever felt off but been told your labs were “normal,” this one’s for you.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Keto, Cholesterol, and the Confusing Heart Study That Everyone’s Talking About

Can high cholesterol from a keto diet really be harmless?
A new study made waves claiming that even big spikes in LDL cholesterol might not increase heart disease risk—especially in people following a low-carb, high-fat diet. But behind the headlines lies a much more complicated story. In this post, we break down what the study actually showed (and what it didn’t), why plaque build-up still matters, and what you should know if your cholesterol has gone up on keto. Let’s clear up the confusion—without the hype.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Why Intermittent Fasting Isn’t Always the Answer—And Might Be the Problem

Intermittent fasting is everywhere, promoted as the go-to strategy for weight loss, mental clarity, and even gut health. But while it works for some, it simply doesn’t work for many—especially busy, high-performing women.

Delaying food until midday often means starting the day under-fueled, leading to low energy, brain fog, and a pattern of overeating and snacking late into the night. That big evening meal? It can worsen bloating, heartburn, and gut pain—making symptoms worse, not better.

The solution isn’t rigid rules—it’s rhythm.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Why Frying French Fries in Beef Tallow Isn’t a Health Upgrade

There’s a lot of hype right now around ditching seed oils and returning to “traditional” fats like beef tallow—especially when it comes to foods like french fries. But here’s the reality: just because you swap the oil doesn’t mean you’ve turned a deep-fried, nutrient-poor food into a health food. Whether it’s tallow or canola, french fries are still a processed, fried food, and they come with all the same issues—high in calories, low in fiber, and often full of compounds we know are harmful when consumed regularly. Seed oils aren't the root of our chronic disease problems—overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is. Let’s not let a nostalgic fat swap distract us from the bigger picture of what true health-supportive eating actually looks like.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Can Gluten Sensitivity Go Away? The Surprising Truth Behind the Research

Can gluten sensitivity actually go away? For many people, the answer is yes—and the science might surprise you. In this post, I explore what non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) really is, why gluten often isn't the true culprit, and how factors like FODMAPs and the nocebo effect (where belief alone triggers symptoms) play a much larger role than most realize. Backed by research and clinical experience, this post offers a hopeful perspective for anyone living with restrictive diets, showing that food freedom may be closer than they think.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Almond Flour Cherry Clafoutis

So, don’t let the name intimidate you - this is baking that requires you to put all the ingredients into a blender and pour it into a baking dish over the fruit. Seriously. This is as simple as baking can get other than those microwave mug cakes. It’s a bit like a big puffed up pancake - slightly soft in the middle and packed with delicious.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

For the longest time, I thought that chocolate was my favourite treat. But it turns out that anything lemon flavoured it - and especially when I am choosing to believe that it is spring (underneath the snow) having something that makes me feel ‘springy’ is welcome.

Which is where blueberry lemon muffins come in.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Carrot Cake Muffins

While the Easter chocolate may have been eaten at a rate beyond normal, the desire for healthy(ish) snacks and baking still seems to be high. Here’s a way to use up the bunny’s carrots in a muffin that is as easy to make as it is to eat!

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

It’s time for a popcorn party!

Of course I recommend getting outside & moving more, but the reality is there’s a lot of Netflix binging & movie watching going on. And if you’re going to watch movies, popcorn can be a great snack that doesn’t involve processed junk & bucketloads of sugar. Especially if you choose healthier topping options.

With a little bit of prep, you can plan your own family popcorn party with a host of seasoning options that will take minimal time.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Self-Isolation Groceries with IBS

While most of us can still easily access our normal fresh foods, we’ve also been encouraged to have enough food to last for 2 weeks in case of quarantine. This means having non-perishable items that you can store - which can be a little bit different than what is needed for people without IBS.

Here are some low FODMAP basics that can help you get your store of food ready!

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Chocolate Chia Pudding

I have to admit, while my love of chocolate is strong, I don’t love chocolate pudding - I’m more of a vanilla or lemon fan. But this recipe is a huge hit with my patients.

And it really is a nutritional powerhouse.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Breakfast Taco Skillet

Breakfast is a hard one when our routines have gone out the window. But perhaps not having everyone commute means we have some extra time with our families in the mornings. And what if we could find some meals that we didn’t have to argue about with our kids?

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Vegan Noodle & Veggie Bowl

I bought that giant box of microwavable edamame from Costco a long time ago. In case of emergencies. And that never happened. Until now. A lot of you have told me you also have these in your freezer...so let’s pull them out and get cooking. They are amazing in poke bowls, noodle and grain bowls - and super simple.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole

I know you bought a lot of canned beans...and now you’re looking at them resentfully wishing it was something better. Well, here’s a way to make them more fun! And if you’re feeling lazy - just swap in some taco seasoning you already have at home rather than using individual spices.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Fudgy Chocolate Banana Protein Brownies

I’m going to be honest. I think bananas are the worst tasting (and smelling) fruit on the planet. Except maybe durian but I’ve never been close enough to durian to really know. So, in my world, bananas are horrid. But...I realize I’m in the minority over this issue.

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Dr. Kim Bretz ND Dr. Kim Bretz ND

Health is not the absence of food

Sometimes it seems we're all free.

Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, egg-free, nut-free, soy-free, legume-free. Onions and garlic cause bloating, tomatoes and citrus cause heartburn, cheese makes you constipated but milk causes diarrhea...often it seems our diets and how we feel is not about what is providing us nutrition bur rather what we need to avoid.

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