Consulting, Media, Speaking & Podcast Guest Appearances

Cutting through the noise. Bridging conventional and natural healthcare with clarity and credibility.

I’m Dr. Kim Bretz ND—a naturopathic doctor, menopause-certified practitioner, and healthcare speaker known for making complex health topics easy to understand. I help audiences navigate gut health, hormones, and lifestyle medicine with evidence-based insights and a grounded, realistic approach.

In a world of health extremes, I offer a much-needed middle ground - bridging the gap between natural medicine and conventional care.

Whether it’s speaking to healthcare professionals, employees, or public audiences, I’m here to call out misinformation, explain what actually works, and make healthcare feel more human again.

Ready to Book a Speaker Who Cuts Through the Health Noise?

Whether you’re planning a conference, podcast episode, or corporate wellness event, I make gut health, hormones, and modern wellness simple, engaging, and evidence-based - without the fear-mongering or gimmicks.

Podcast Guest

  • Engaging, practical discussions on gut health, perimenopause, food freedom, misinformation and the honest realities of health care

Conference Keynotes & CE Events

  • Educational, evidence-based talks for healthcare providers on gut-brain health, hormones, and navigating the messy middle ground between conventional care, natural medicine and how to handle the polarized landscape of healthcare putting us all at risk

Corporate Wellness Events

  • Interactive, engaging, research-backed wellness sessions that ditch the fads and help employees make sense of modern health messaging

Speaking Topics Include:

  • Gut Health without Food Fear – How to actually support digestive health without elimination overwhelm

  • Hormone Clarity Beyond the Myths – Perimenopause, menopause, and thriving without extremes

  • Where Natural Health Fits—And Where It Doesn’t – Building trust in healthcare without blind spots

  • Cutting Through Wellness Hype – How to spot misinformation from social media to the doctor’s office

  • Lifestyle Medicine Without Guilt Trips – Creating realistic health goals that work for modern life

  • Conversations That Clear Up Health Confusion

    Honest, myth-busting conversations on food, hormones, and feeling better—no gimmicks, just good science

  • Hear Me on Podcasts

    Real talk on gut health, hormones, and finding your way through the health noise—without fear or fads.

  • Cutting Through the Health Noise

    From gut health to hormones, I help make healthcare easier to understand—with stories, science, and some laughs along the way.

  • Pull Up a Chair & Listen In

    Join me on podcasts where I talk all things gut health, hormones, and navigating the messy middle of modern healthcare—cutting through the noise with stories, science, and a little bit of humour.

  • We have a gut-feeling this episode is about to blow your mind! In today’s episode of GGW, Jeanette and Victoria are joined by Dr. Kim Bretz, naturopathic doctor and gut health expert. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Waterloo's Pharmacy School and the visionary behind the Gut Health Incubator, Dr. Bretz brings an unmatched depth of knowledge to today’s chat.

    In this episode, Dr. Bretz addresses the REAL reasons we experience bloating, how to identify when there’s really a problem, and what truly helps in managing bloating and gas—it's probably not what you think! She also debunks some of the most common wellness gut myths, tackling misconceptions about gluten, elimination diets, leaky gut syndrome, and the effectiveness of functional tests like GI stool tests and food sensitivity testing.

    An incredible storyteller, Dr. Bretz combines her clinical experience with evidence-based research to make complex topics both understandable and entertaining. Whether you're grappling with digestive issues or just curious about maintaining optimal gut health, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights that will challenge what you think you know about your body.

    Remember, no topic is off-limits, so grab a coffee and get ready to talk about your bodily functions.

  • This is the 3rd time Dr. Kim Bretz, ND has been on the podcast since she always has new information on complex topics surrounding gut health. Dr. Kim Bretz is a practicing naturopathic doctor with a focus on gut health for over 20 years. Her main area of focus is the microbiota and gastrointestinal health. On this episode, we talk about how neuroplasticity plays a role in gut disorders and she offers guidance and an understanding of what is happening in our gut when certain symptoms arise.

    Dr. Kim Bretz ND is a practicing naturopathic doctor with a focus on gut health for over 20 years. She is an advocate for education, leading continuing education in gut health for many healthcare professionals and is adjunct faculty at the University of Waterloo, Pharmacy School. Her main area of focus is the microbiota and gastrointestinal health. Dr. Bretz was fortunate to begin working in this area over 10 years ago when the microbiota was in its infancy, and it led to a paradigm shift in her feelings about overall human health and nutrition. Work with patients is a passion for Kim and she has both one-on-one practice and group IBS treatment programs available.

  • In this episode dedicated to midlife gut issues, especially bloating, we confronted a lot of myths and misunderstandings head-on. For instance, perimenopausal digestive symptoms are often incorrectly blamed on diet alone. In reality, they result from a mix of hormonal fluctuations, life stressors, and sleep disturbances. 

    One of the most mind-blowing parts of this conversation included learning about the recent advancements in understanding the difference between bloating and distension. MRI technology now shows us that many individuals with chronic bloating do not produce excess gas but have heightened sensitivity to normal digestive processes. Why does this matter? It highlights the significance of gut-brain interaction disorders and the need for a uniquely supportive approach to diagnosis and treatment.

    I loved geeking out with Kim on the latest science and research. We talked about how abdominofrenic dyssynergia illustrates the miscommunication between the brain and digestive system. The diaphragm contracts instead of relaxing during digestion, leading to discomfort without an actual increase in gas production. What this means is that habits like holding in our stomachs, (which we’ve been doing for decades) may worsen the issue. 

    Dr. Kim dove into the intuitive eating conversation in addressing the risks of self-directed diets and the importance of professional guidance. Imposing strict food rules can also heighten sensitivity to digestive issues, which means we have more evidence for the value of building balanced plates. 

    Dietary diversity is also crucial for your gut to have the chance to thrive, and diets like FODMAP can be helpful but should be temporary with a focus on carefully reintroducing diverse foods.

    My hope is that this conversation was incredibly helpful in validating your experience with gut health in midlife and shed light on confusing parts of the puzzle!

  • In this episode of The Well Nurtured Brain, Dr. Pamela Hutchison welcomes Dr. Kim Bretz, a gut focused Naturopathic Doctor and educator.

    Together, they’ll unpack the complex and often misunderstood gut-brain connection, highlighting the importance of clinical humility and curiosity in tackling complex gut issues. They’ll explore the nuances of visceral hypersensitivity and sensitization, shedding light on why bloating is often more than just gas.

    Dr. Kim Bretz, a naturopathic doctor with over two decades of experience in gut health and the gut-brain connection. Dr. Bretz is dedicated to helping people improve their quality of life by addressing digestive issues, low energy, hormonal imbalances, and the stress around food choices. Her approach combines cutting-edge research with real-world clinical experience, focusing on patient-centered care. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy, she has lectured extensively on microbiota, probiotics, and gut health, and has collaborated with leading health organizations on research and product development. Dr. Bretz holds certifications in the Monash Low FODMAP program and gut-directed hypnotherapy, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based care. 

  • In this episode of Real Integrative Medicine, Dr. Kim Bretz debunks common misconceptions about gut health and explains how understanding the root causes can lead to more effective treatments. Discover the gut-brain connection, and learn how addressing individual needs can optimize digestive health and tackle issues like bloating and gas.


    Dr. Kim Bretz, ND, is a specialist in gut health and an expert in functional medicine. She focuses on treating digestive disorders through a holistic, individualized approach, emphasizing the gut-brain connection and the importance of understanding the root cause of symptoms.

  • In this episode of "Ditch the Lab Coat," host Dr. Mark Bonta welcomes a groundbreaking guest who is reshaping how we understand gut health and integrative care. 

    Dr. Kim Bretz, a naturopathic doctor with a unique approach, joins the conversation to challenge traditional frameworks and introduce innovative solutions for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and reflux. 

    With her expertise in the gut-brain connection, microbiome diversity, and holistic patient care, Dr. Bretz breaks down complex concepts and offers evidence-based insights into treating digestive disorders. Together, they explore the limitations of the conventional medical system, shed light on the often-overlooked gut-brain interaction, and discuss how interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance patient outcomes. 

    Whether you're a healthcare provider or someone dealing with unexplained digestive symptoms, this episode is packed with knowledge and tools to expand your understanding of gut health beyond the typical medical approach. Tune in and prepare to have your preconceptions about medicine and holistic care turned upside down.

Selected Talks & Continuing Education Programs

  • Disordered Eating in GI Conditions

    Cumulative Stress Effects: Adapting GI Protocols to Pandemic Uncertainty

    Critical thinking in gut disorders

    Constipation - better out than in

    The microbiota - a key regulator in human aging

  • Myths, Misinterpretations & the Reality of Constipation (6 hours)

    SIBO Demystified - From Testing to Treatment & Everything In Between (5 hours)

    Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction - You know it’s not in their head. Let’s learn to treat it that (Co-presenter - 4.5 hours)

    IBS Module

    IBD Module

  • Women’s Health Masterclass - PCOS

  • Clinical use of natural healthcare products: challenges in gut health and the microbiota

  • Gut connection - food & the microbiota

  • Functional GI Disorders - The Microbiota, IBS, Constipation & Dyspepsia

  • Probiotics & microbes on inflammation & the immune system

    Diet & the microbiota - nutritional influences on the human body

    Gut connections - the microbiota & IBS, IBD & constipation

    Preventative health - a look at the first year of life through the microbiota

    Strain-specific probiotics & human health

  • Natural Health Care Products in Community Pharmacy

  • The first year of life: the human microbiota & human health

  • Prescribing for dummies - a gap analysis in prescribing for NDs

  • The Gut-Hormone Connection in Perimenopause & Menopause

  • The Microbiota: A Key Regulator in Healthy Ageing

  • Treating SIBO - The Good, The Bad, and The Really Ugly

  • Constipation: The Silent Epidemic

  • The gut, microbiota & hormonal health connection

    GERD & Dyspepsia

    Treating Constipation