Author Archives: Norm Robillard

About Norm Robillard

Norman Robillard, Ph.D., is a microbiologist and researcher who spent 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry before founding the Digestive Health Institute. His goal is to develop holistic treatments for digestive illnesses based on a clear understanding of the underlying causes of disease. Norm was the first to recognize a connection between bacteria in our intestines, nutritional malabsorption and the symptoms of acid reflux. Based on his extensive research, he created the clinically proven Fast Tract Diet System (Fast Tract Digestion Heartburn, Amazon), a safe and effective alternative to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and H2 blocking drugs. Bacterial overgrowth fueled by nutritional malabsorption is a factor in several other digestive health conditions. Research in this area is the main focus of the DHI. Norm received his Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and completed post-doctoral training at Tufts University.

Our Germs – What Do We Know About Them?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Norm Robillard

A friend sent me a great article called “Some of My Best Friends Are Germs” by Michael Pollan about the efforts by a team led by Rob Knight at the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado, Boulder working on something … Continue reading →

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Resistant Starch – Friend or Foe?

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Norm Robillard

What is Resistant Starch? Resistant starch is a type of starch that resists digestion. Starch in general is a large complex carbohydrate used by plants such as oats, corn, potatoes, wheat, rice, nuts, legumes and some fruits such as bananas … Continue reading →

Posted in Asthma, Diet and Digestive Health, Fiber, Heartburn, IBS, SIBO | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

Solutions for Constipation

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Norm Robillard

A recent large study to assess the associations of dietary fiber and liquid intake to constipation concluded: “The findings support clinical recommendations to treat constipation with increased liquid, but not fiber or exercise.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23567352 This conclusion is no surprise based … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet and Digestive Health | 2 Comments

Bad to Bad – Resistant Starch from Fiber

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Norm Robillard

Here is an interesting discovery – Scientists have found a way to transform fiber into resistant starch. The benefits mean more food grown in less prime croplands, but the starch produced is amylose, the resistant starch. Read more hear about … Continue reading →

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New PBS Documentary on Our Gut and Digestion

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Norm Robillard

Guts with Michael Mosley just aired on PBS April 17, 2013. Hopefully, if you haven’t seen it, it will air again. In this fascinating documentary, Michael volunteers to undergo a number of invasive tests and also has his entire digestive … Continue reading →

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Does the type of bacteria in our gut make us obese?

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Norm Robillard

Here is an interesting study about gut bacteria, intestinal gas and obesity – but I don’t exactly agree with conclusions. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130326095056.htm. The authors conclude that people become obese because they have higher amounts of hydrogen and methane (if we could … Continue reading →

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Fast Tract Digestion IBS – Now Available

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Norm Robillard

Fast Tract Digestion IBS ebook is now available on Amazon (Print book coming soon)! What Really Causes IBS and How Best To Treat It? The  SIBO diet in the book is science-based and designed specifically to eliminate the symptoms of … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet and Digestive Health | 32 Comments

I Can’t Believe it’s not Butter – The Poor State of Nutrition Science.

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Norm Robillard

What’s Causing Obesity I Can’t Believe It’s not Butter, a new article by Laura Schoenfeld, a public health nutritionist on the state of affairs in nutritional science and policy making, is well worth reading. The problem in one word, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet and Digestive Health | 2 Comments

Red Sox Pitcher Clay Buchholz’s Esophagitis – Was Toradol the Cause?

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Norm Robillard

Last June, Boston sports fans were shocked by sudden news of the right handed pitcher, Clay Buchholz of the Red Sox being hospitalized for five days at Mass General Hospital. Clay suffered from inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) that was … Continue reading →

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Sweets and Sweeteners – Trick or Treat?

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Norm Robillard

Most of us adults still remember the fun of trick or treating; Cheap or homemade costumes, kicking through the fall leaves, and especially, eating all those sweets. A delicious sugar high complete with hyperactivity, call it what you want, but … Continue reading →

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