Norman Robillard, Ph.D., Founder of Digestive Health Institute is a gut health expert, author and microbiologist. He is the creator of Fast Tract Diet – Fermentation Potential (FP) system, author of the Fast Tract Digestion book series and publisher of the Fast Tract Diet mobile app.
Dr. Norm received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst studying Bacillus anthracis and other Bacillus species. His post-doctoral training at Tufts University, Boston focused on antibiotic resistance gene transfer. He was the first to demonstrate the transfer of genes (via conjugation) between the anaerobic gut microbes Bacteroides fragilis and E. coli.
During his career in pharma / biotech, Dr. Norm studied the mechanisms of antibiotic action and the genetics of antibiotic resistance. His work contributed to the development and approval of ciprofloxacin, a lifesaving antibiotic, though he always recommended a cautious approach with antibiotics balancing the benefits with the risks and side effects.
Beyond antibiotics, Dr. Norm worked on a variety of other projects including septic shock, viral illnesses and other antibiotic, antiviral and antibody-based therapies.
Dr. Norm’s peer reviewed journal articles include:
- Dose ranging and fractionation of intravenous ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in an in vitro model of infection.
- Spontaneous quinolone resistance in Serratia marcescens due to a mutation in gyrA.
- Broad-host-range gyrase A gene probe.
- Analysis of acquired ciprofloxacin resistance in a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Factors influencing the accumulation of ciprofloxacin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Genetic and physiological characterization of ciprofloxacin resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.
- Tn4400, a compound transposon isolated from Bacteroides fragilis, functions in Escherichia coli.
- Chromosomal mapping of Bacillus thuringiensis by transduction.
- Interspecies transduction of plasmids among Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis.
After over 20 years in pharma, Dr. Norm became interested in dietary and behavioral approaches for functional GI illness and founded the Digestive Health Institute as a hub for information and support for people suffering with these conditions.
He currently serves as a scientific board member of Nutrition & Metabolism Society and continues to participate in clinical research aimed at improving dietary and behavioral approaches to IBS, GERD and other functional GI conditions.
Dr. Norm helps people with a variety of digestive health issues including:
- Heartburn / Acid Reflux / GERD
- laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Celiac and Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Asthma
- Rosacea
- Leaky gut and autoimmunity
He focuses on the root cause of these conditions and employs his 3 pillar approach as a holistic alternative to drugs and antibiotics.
Dr. Norm was the first to propose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) as the underlying cause of acid reflux and explained the connection between intragastric pressure from gas-producing bacteria in our intestines, nutritional malabsorption and the symptoms of acid reflux in his first book, Heartburn Cured.
His latest book series provides a safe and effective dietary tool and behavioral strategy (Fast Tract Diet) as an alternative to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, IBS drugs or antibiotics for GERD, IBS and other SIBO related conditions.
The Fast Tract Diet was presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in 2013 to provide gastroenterologists with a new science-based dietary treatment option for addressing SIBO-related conditions.
Dr Norm’s Fast Tract Diet mobile app was recognized and included in the Top Gut Health Apps of the Year by Healthline in 2017 and 2019.
About his personal journey on digestive health, please read one of his blogs, What Really Causes Acid Reflux and GERD?
Michael R. Eades, M.D., Co-author of New York Times Best Seller, Protein Power has been an advocate of Dr. Norm’s work and writes about the effectiveness of Fast Tract Diet in his blogs, GERD: Treat it with a low- or high-carb diet and GERD Treatment: Nutrition vs Drugs