How Depression & Gut Bacteria Are Connected - Ask a Nutritionist

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, licensed nutritionist Kara Carper explores the connection between depression and gut bacteria, explaining how the gut-brain axis, serotonin production, inflammation, and microbiome diversity may influence mood and mental health. She shares current research on the link between depression and the gut microbiome, along with practical nutrition steps to support healthier gut bacteria.  

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, and research continues to show the important role nutrition and gut health play in prevention and recovery. In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro explain how diet, inflammation, and the microbiome influence colon health. Learn practical food strategies that support digestive health, including increasing fiber, prioritizing whole foods, and limiting ultra-processed foods.

What causes shingles to flare up later in life? In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, registered dietitian Amy Crum explains how the shingles virus can reactivate when the immune system is weakened. You’ll learn common shingles risk factors and simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies that may help support immune health, including the role of vitamin D, zinc, quality sleep, stress management, and balanced blood sugar.

In this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Melanie Beasley and Britni Vincent discuss what causes kidney stones, warning signs to look out for, and how nutrition plays a crucial role in prevention. Find out why hydration is the most vital factor, how sugar, soda, sodium, and ultra-processed foods increase your risk, and why a balanced, real-food diet with enough magnesium and calcium can help protect your kidneys. If you’ve had a kidney stone before or want to lower your risk, this episode shares practical strategies to help prevent them from coming back.

In this Ask a Nutritionist episode, dietitian Alyssa Krejci explains the difference between fish oil and cod liver oil and how to choose the right one for your needs. Learn how omega-3 fats support heart, brain, and inflammation health, why EPA and DHA matter, and when cod liver oil’s added vitamin A and vitamin D may or may not be helpful. Alyssa also shares simple tips for choosing a quality omega-3 supplement and getting more omega-3s from foods like salmon, sardines, and mackerel.

The new Dietary Guidelines were recently released, and in this episode of Dishing Up Nutrition, dietitians Teresa Wagner and Brandy Buro talk through the highlights and what they could mean for your health. They discuss key themes like prioritizing whole foods, protein, healthy fats, fiber, and reducing added sugars and ultra-processed foods, while offering practical insight on how to apply these ideas in real life.   

In this Ask a Nutritionist mini episode, dietitian Teresa Wagner breaks down what your pancreas actually does (hello, blood sugar balance and digestion), how pancreatitis develops, and which everyday food and lifestyle choices either stress or support this hard-working organ. She explains what an anti-inflammatory, real-food way of eating looks like for pancreas health, how to balance protein, carbs, and healthy fats, why alcohol and ultra-processed foods are so hard on the pancreas, and how things like hydration, smaller meals, and digestive enzymes can make a big difference in comfort and healing.

In this uplifting client story, Britni Vincent, RD, LD, talks with longtime Nutritional Weight & Wellness client Shawna about her son’s autism diagnosis and the incredible progress he made in just one year. Shawna shares the early signs she noticed, the emotional impact of hearing “on the spectrum,” and how their family combined therapies with a gluten- and dairy-free, real-food approach and targeted supplements to support his brain and gut. You’ll hear how sensory overload, anxiety, and social challenges began to ease, how she advocated for school support, and why she wants other parents to know there is always something you can do to help your child feel and function better.  

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, our registered dietitian, Leah Kleinschrodt, explains how to read a nutrition label the smart way. Learn why the ingredients list matters more than calories, how to spot hidden sugars, what serving sizes really mean, and how to evaluate carbs, fats, and protein for better blood sugar balance. If you’ve ever felt confused in the grocery aisle, this episode gives you simple, practical tools to shop with confidence.

A new high blood pressure diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when the only advice you hear is “cut the salt” or “lose weight.” In this episode, Kara Carper and Brandy Buro break down what to change first to start lowering blood pressure naturally.