Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND

04/08/2026

This is something we don’t talk about enough. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which include childhood traumatic events like abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, can set the stage for chronic digestive issues later in life.

In fact, about two-thirds of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a history of ACEs. It’s thought that chronic stress in childhood primes the brain-gut-microbiota axis.

This is why healing your gut isn’t as simple as removing gluten, taking a probiotic, or following the latest diet trend.

Your digestive system isn’t just responding to what you ate—it’s responding to your history, your nervous system, and how your body learned to perceive and respond to stress.

For some people, the gut has been in a heightened, protective state for years. And unless that piece is acknowledged, it can feel like you’re doing everything “right” and still not getting better.

This is the work I do with my patients. We look beyond food and supplements and start to understand why your symptoms are happening in the first place—connecting the dots between your gut, your nervous system, and your lived experience.

03/19/2026

Microbiome testing is one of the most popular tools in gut health right now. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

A recent study showed that the same standardized stool sample sent to different labs produced very different results. This is because labs use different methodologies, databases, and interpretation models. There isn’t a standard when it comes to microbiome testing.

Your symptoms, your history, your patterns—those matter just as much (if not more) than what a test report says. If you’ve had gas, bloating, and issues with bowel movements for some time, you very likely have dysbiosis. We don’t need a fancy test report to tell us that.

If you’re trying to make sense of your gut symptoms (with or without testing), this is exactly what I help patients navigate.

02/19/2026

Tired of navigating through the noise and conflicting health information online? Me too.

I'm excited to now be offering free monthly live webinars starting in March 2026 on a range of important health topics.

Each session will provide evidence-informed education to help you better understand what’s happening in your body and feel more connected between appointments — and more knowledgeable in these areas overall.

We’ll cover topics such as cholesterol, digestion, perimenopause, constipation across the ages, and metabolic health, to name a few. My goal is to offer clear, thoughtful discussion grounded in current research.

If you can’t attend live, no worries — we’ve got you covered. All registered participants will receive access to the recording.

Comment "webinar" below to get the sign-up link :)

01/27/2026

Sustainable health rarely comes from trying harder. It comes from changing the systems that keep you stuck. If your systems aren’t working — your routines, habits, supports, or care plan — it’s not a failure. It’s information.

This is the work I do with patients: helping them step back, evaluate what’s actually happening, and adjust the systems so their health goals become achievable.

01/19/2026

All the gut-based influencer fads in one reel 😂. Your gut doesn’t need trends. It needs consistency. 2025, we’re done with GI fads!

(These are based on many real-life conversations.)

01/09/2026

So many appointments, so many patients, so much gratitude ❤️ Thank you for choosing your health in 2025. Excited to keep building toward your health goals in 2026 :)

12/23/2025

Warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season to you and yours! 🎄🙌

08/06/2025

PSA for teachers: Your health benefits expire at the end of August!

If you’ve been meaning to check in on your energy, hormones, digestion, or anything else — now’s the time.

✅ Most plans reset in September
✅ Appointments are limited
✅ You deserve to feel your best before the school year starts!

Let’s come up with a plan so you can head into the fall feeling supported 💪🍎

11/14/2024

TLDR: Drinking more than 1.5 litres of water daily will probably help constipation, but surprisingly there isn't much research to back this claim. Combining adequate water + enough daily fibre + daily movement is more likely to get things moving rather than focusing on water alone!

11/08/2024

How healthy is your digestion?

Take this 3-minute quiz I created to discover your Digestive Signature — an in-depth look into your gut health with tailored tips for a healthier, happier digestive system!

Take this 3-minute quiz to discover your Digestive Signature—an in-depth look into your gut health with tailored tips for a healthier, happier digestive system!

10/26/2024

This is a great time to start laying the groundwork for a healthier 2025.

Most extended health benefits expire at the end of the year. From preventative medicine to digestion and hormones, now is the perfect opportunity to prioritize your health.

Check out my bio👆👆 to book your free 15-minute Discovery Call before year-end to maximize your coverage and kickstart a healthier you ❤️