Dr. Laura Brass ND

Dr. Laura Brass ND I'm a Naturopathic Doctor and Functional Medicine Practitioner specializing in digestive health, IBS & SIBO.

I can help you achieve optimal health and guide you back to balanced well-being.

On-the-go breakfasts for busy summer mornings? Yes please. ☀️ These carrot zucchini muffins are a quick, protein-rich op...
07/25/2025

On-the-go breakfasts for busy summer mornings? Yes please. ☀️ These carrot zucchini muffins are a quick, protein-rich option that the whole family can enjoy.

Let me know if you try them out!

Ingredients
1/4 cup maple syrup
4 eggs (separated — yolks and whites used separately)
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tbsp h**p seeds
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 grated carrot
1 grated zucchini

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease or line a muffin tray.
2. In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, egg yolks, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.
3. Add all dry ingredients and stir to combine.
4. Mix in grated carrot and zucchini. (Tip: If batter feels too wet, add more coconut flour. Too dry? Add 1 tbsp warm water.)
5. In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
6. Scoop into muffin tray and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool, and enjoy!

Here’s your gentle summer reminder:You don’t have to “make the most” of summer by filling every moment.Sometimes, the mo...
07/17/2025

Here’s your gentle summer reminder:

You don’t have to “make the most” of summer by filling every moment.

Sometimes, the most healing thing you can do is simply slow down.

Summer is nature’s nudge to return to yourself.☀️

The sun, the slower pace, the fresh food—it’s all an invitation to reconnect with what truly matters:

✨ A body that feels supported — eat something that truly nourishes you
✨ A mind that’s calm and clear — rest without guilt
✨ A life that isn’t rushed — take your walk a little slower

You don’t need to do more.
You just need to listen to what your body is asking for right now. ❤️✌️

Still using the RDA to guide your protein intake?That’s a starting point—not a target. Most people need more, especially...
07/15/2025

Still using the RDA to guide your protein intake?

That’s a starting point—not a target. Most people need more, especially as they age.

As we get older, the body becomes less efficient at using protein, which means a sedentary 70-year-old may need just as much protein as a 25-year-old athlete.

Here’s the truth:

✅The RDA is the minimum to prevent deficiency—not to thrive.
✅Optimal protein intake supports lean muscle, metabolism, hormone health, and blood sugar balance.
✅Most people are nowhere near the upper limit of protein intake—and could benefit from eating more, not less.

Want support with your nutrition or metabolism? Book a consult through the link in bio.

What do flushing, fatigue, reflux, and brain fog all have in common?They could all stem from the same immune cell: the m...
07/11/2025

What do flushing, fatigue, reflux, and brain fog all have in common?

They could all stem from the same immune cell: the mast cell.

🧬 Mast cells are part of your innate immune system — typically known for their role in allergic reactions. But they’re also involved in regulating inflammation, protecting mucosal surfaces, and modulating your nervous system.

When triggered by stress, allergens, infections, toxins, or even medications, mast cells release a wide array of mediators — including histamine, cytokines (like interleukins), prostaglandins, tryptase, and more.

🔬 Here’s the key:
➡️Some mediators, like histamine and TNF-alpha, are broad-acting and can affect multiple systems at once — from your skin to your brain to your gut.
➡️Others, like PGD2 (prostaglandin D2), renin, tryptase, and RANKL, have more specific effects — such as on cardiovascular function, bone density, or respiratory health.

When this system becomes dysregulated — in conditions like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — it can cause a range of chronic symptoms that often seem unrelated on the surface.

🌀 Think:
Flushing, itching, hives
Cramping, diarrhea, nausea
Tachycardia or lightheadedness
Anxiety, migraines, or poor sleep
Fatigue, weight loss, or malaise
Joint or bone pain

Functional medicine takes a systems-based view of the body — and understanding mast cells can help connect the dots when conventional tests fall short.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it. Link in bio to book your initial consultation.

“Nature has given us all the pieces required to achieve exceptional wellness and health, but has left it to us to put th...
07/08/2025

“Nature has given us all the pieces required to achieve exceptional wellness and health, but has left it to us to put these pieces together.” — Diane McLaren 🌿

It’s a reminder that healing isn’t always about adding more — it’s about tuning into what’s already available. The air, the sun, the stillness, the movement.

The rhythms of nature are the rhythms of our bodies — we just have to remember how to listen.

☀️ Summer is the perfect time to lean into this.

Step outside for natural light exposure in the morning — even 10–15 minutes can help regulate your circadian rhythm, support mood, and boost vitamin D. Take your lunch break outside, or wind down your day with a sunset walk.

✨ This week, take one step closer to reconnecting with your own natural rhythm. Go outside. Breathe deeply. Be still. Or move. Whatever your body needs — let nature guide you.

Your gut does more than just digest food… It’s basically the command center for your whole body. 🧠💪🌿From immunity to moo...
07/04/2025

Your gut does more than just digest food…

It’s basically the command center for your whole body. 🧠💪🌿

From immunity to mood, energy, and nutrient absorption—your gut is involved in it all.

Here are just a few of its key roles:
✔️ Immune Defense: 70–80% of your immune cells live here
✔️ Nutrient Absorption: Where vitamins, minerals, and amino acids get processed
✔️ Gut-Brain Axis: Your second brain? It’s real.
✔️ Microbiome Power: Trillions of microbes that impact everything from digestion to mental clarity

When something’s off in the gut, it can ripple into just about every system in the body.

That’s why we always start with the gut when we’re getting to the root of your symptoms.

Curious if your gut might be behind what you’re feeling? Let’s chat—link in bio 💛

My not-so-secret weapon for gut health? This little bottle right here. 👆If you’ve been dealing with bloating, gas, abdom...
06/29/2025

My not-so-secret weapon for gut health? This little bottle right here. 👆

If you’ve been dealing with bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, or gut issues that just won’t quit—it might be time to bring in the big guns.

ADP (aka emulsified oregano oil) is one of my go-to tools for supporting patients with:
✔️ IBS
✔️ SIBO
✔️ Candida
✔️ Parasites
✔️ Chronic digestive discomfort

Why do I love it so much?

It’s micro-emulsified (so it makes it past the stomach acid and into the small intestine—where the bad bugs actually live)

It’s anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory
It’s powerful yet well-tolerated, even in people who are sensitive

This is NOT your average oregano supplement. Most capsules lose their punch in the stomach, but this on is designed for targeted release, so the active ingredients stay potent where it counts.

You can now find ADP directly on my website shop — link in bio!

💬 Questions? Drop them below or reach out to see if it’s a good fit for you.

NEW RECIPE: Beef, Sweet Potato & Rapini Skillet An easy, delicious, nutrient-packed meal that’s perfect for those “I wan...
06/27/2025

NEW RECIPE: Beef, Sweet Potato & Rapini Skillet

An easy, delicious, nutrient-packed meal that’s perfect for those “I want something good but I’m too tired to cook” kind of nights.

One pan. Minimal cleanup. And NOT standing next to a hot oven or stove forever

This quick stovetop recipe is packed with:
• Protein-rich ground beef
• Sweet potato for natural sweetness + fibre
• Rapini to support digestion (hello bitter greens!)
• Ginger for a little added spice

Sensitive to garlic or onions? Skip them and double the ginger—your gut (and your taste buds) will still be happy.

Ingredients
1lb lean ground beef
1 yellow onion (sliced)
1 tbsp ginger (peeled and grated)
2 garlic cloves minced
2 sweet potatoes (grated)
8oz rapini (chopped)
½ tsp sea salt (to taste)

Directions
1. Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat and add the beef, onion, ginger, garlic and sweet potatoes. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beef is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are soft.

2. Add the rapini and cook for about 5 more minutes or until greens are wilted and stalks are soft.

3. Divide into bowls. Season with sea salt and enjoy.

Let me know if you try this recipe!

🦠 Could mold be the missing piece in your health journey?If you’ve been chasing answers for brain fog, fatigue, skin fla...
06/25/2025

🦠 Could mold be the missing piece in your health journey?

If you’ve been chasing answers for brain fog, fatigue, skin flares, gut issues, or sinus congestion—and nothing seems to stick—mycotoxins may be quietly working against you.

WHAT ARE MYCOTOXINS?
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by mold, and they can linger in the body long after the initial exposure.

These toxins can disrupt multiple systems—your gut, immune system, brain, skin, and more.

Functional mycotoxin testing is an easy, at-home urine test that gives us insight into:
✓ What types of mold toxins are present
✓ How severe the exposure is
✓ How to detox effectively and safely

If other tests haven’t revealed answers, this could be the next right step.

Let’s take a closer look—book your consultation through the link in bio.

☀️ The sun isn’t just a light source—it’s medicine.We talk a lot about vitamin D (and yes, it’s important!)—but the ther...
06/22/2025

☀️ The sun isn’t just a light source—it’s medicine.

We talk a lot about vitamin D (and yes, it’s important!)—but the therapeutic benefits of sunlight go way beyond that.⁠

Different types of light at different times of day activate unique healing processes in the body:⁠

🌅 Sunrise sets your circadian rhythm, boosts dopamine, and even kickstarts melatonin production for better sleep that night.⁠
🌞 UVA & UVB light help regulate hormones, support metabolism, mood, immunity, and collagen production.⁠
🌇 Sunset light helps regulate cortisol, shift you into parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode, and initiate cellular repair.⁠

This is why morning walks, mid-day breaks in natural light, and unplugging at dusk aren’t “nice to have”—they’re biological necessities.

We’re not just vitamin D deficient—we’re nature deficient.⁠
And the symptoms of that look like fatigue, stress, poor sleep, inflammation, hormone imbalances, and burnout.

Let this be your reminder to get outside today—not just for your skin, but for your brain, hormones, and mitochondria too.

⛰️ Is Aging Really a Slow Decline… or a Cliff?Recent Stanford research suggests something surprising:We don’t age gradua...
06/17/2025

⛰️ Is Aging Really a Slow Decline… or a Cliff?

Recent Stanford research suggests something surprising:
We don’t age gradually

We age in cliffs—with two sharp biological drops, often occurring around ages 44 and 60.

And if you’ve felt like your body suddenly changed overnight—more fatigue, stubborn weight gain, brain fog, poor sleep—you’re not imagining it.

✅ In your 40s: your metabolism of alcohol, caffeine, fats, and even cardiovascular markers begin to shift.
✅ In your 60s: changes impact carbohydrate metabolism, immune function, kidneys, muscle, and skin

But here’s the good news:

Functional medicine gives us the tools to catch that cliff before the fall.

Instead of waiting for symptoms to pile up, we investigate the root causes of aging and chronic disease—like inflammation, hormone shifts, nutrient depletion, and stress overload—and create a plan to support your body through these major transitions.

Think of it as proactive aging support.
Whether you’re nearing one of these turning points or already past it—it’s not too late.

Because while we can’t stop the clock, we can change how we age.

✨ You deserve to feel strong, energized, and clear-headed—at every stage of life.

🌱 Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about why people come to see me.It’s usually not just for one symptom—it’s the bigger...
06/11/2025

🌱 Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about why people come to see me.

It’s usually not just for one symptom—it’s the bigger picture.

They’re tired of feeling like their health concerns are being treated in isolation, or worse, brushed off entirely.
This is where functional medicine shines.

Instead of just asking “What do you have?”
We ask “Why is this happening?”

Whether it’s anxiety, IBS, fatigue, or skin issues—these are often just branches of a much deeper root system.
And until we look at what’s happening beneath the surface (inflammation, stress, nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances...), we’re only ever chasing symptoms.

✨ Functional medicine means connecting the dots.

It means honoring your full health story—from birth to now.
It’s thoughtful, individualized, and yes, it takes more time—but the results are real and lasting.

With over a decade of experience in naturopathic medicine and training in functional medicine, I combine science-based testing with natural therapies to help you get to the root of your symptoms and feel like yourself again.

Because feeling “fine” isn’t good enough. You deserve to feel well.

Have questions about functional medicine? Drop them below

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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