Aiya Functional Wellness

10/16/2025

10/16/2025

BIG NEWS!

If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) or UnitedHealthcare (UHC) insurance…
your nutrition visits with me may be covered at 💯% — no copay, no deductible!

That means you can get personalized, one-on-one nutrition support for your health goals with $0 out-of-pocket.

Every plan is a little different, but most include full coverage for preventive nutrition counseling.

Want to find out if you’re covered?
Send me a message and I can help you check your benefits!

Let’s make healthy eating simple, sustainable, and (best of all) fully covered.

10/15/2025

Antibiotics are not the only medications that can negatively affect your gut microbiome

Hot off the press: For the first time, researchers have systematically assessed the impact of long-term medication use on the gut microbiome.

This 2025 retrospective study, "A hidden confounder for microbiome studies: medications used years before sample collection," found that multiple medicines affected the gut microbiome for many years after use.

Typically, we think of antibiotics as the primary medication that alters the gut ecosystem in the long term. However, this study found that beta-blockers, benzodiazepine derivatives, glucocorticoids, PPIs, biguanides (metformin is the most widely prescribed drug in this class), and antidepressants affected the gut microbiome for several years after discontinuing use. And for many of them, the effects at the microbiome level are additive.

Overall, of the 186 drugs analyzed, 167 were found to be associated with the microbiome—affecting alpha diversity, beta diversity, or the abundance of at least one bacterial species—and 78 of those exhibited long-term effects on the gut.

Of note, benzodiazepines—nervous system depressants commonly prescribed for anxiety—impact the microbiome even more than several broad-spectrum antibiotics. The impacts of benzodiazepines and broad-spectrum antibiotics were detectable even when the drugs had not been used for over three years prior to microbiome sampling.

Read the full study at PMID: 40910778

10/08/2025

Eating 30 plant-based foods per week has been shown to be associated with optimal health benefits. This is one of the key approaches I use in my work with clients.

The most effective way to support your gut microbiome is through plant foods that are high in polyphenols, fiber, and prebiotics. 🌱 🫐 🧄

09/02/2025

Excited to incorporate the results of this study for my SIBO clients

Olive Leaf Tea Successful in SIBO Treatment - Hot off the Press!

As many patients (and clinicians) can attest, successful eradication of SIBO can sometimes be a challenge - whether this is with pharmaceutical options or natural medicines, like herbs and probiotics. So as a clinician, I’m always on the hunt to add more well-researched, efficacious tools into my SIBO treatment toolbox. Cue this olive leaf study….

49 patients with SIBO (as defined by a positive glucose breath test) were enrolled into this trial. Just over half the subjects (25) were randomly allocated to the olive leaf tea group and the other half to a no-treatment control group. Patients with hydrogen, methane (IMO), and mixed SIBO were enrolled – 40.8% were hydrogen producers, 34.7% methane, and 24.5% mixed.

For 2 months, patients in the tea group drank 2 cups of olive leaf tea daily. Each cup contained 1.7g of dried powdered olive leaves (~2 tsp) brewed in 250ml hot water for 7-10 mins. It is worth noting that they did not do any dietary changes. Breath tests, gut symptom assessment, and metabolic parameters were assessed at the beginning of the trial and then again after 2 months.

After 2 months, 88% of subjects in the olive leaf tea group were no longer positive for SIBO on breath testing vs 4.2% in the control group (P

08/21/2025

✨ Great news! ✨
I’m now accepting UnitedHealthcare PPO insurance.

This means more patients can access care with me using their benefits. If you’re covered by UHC PPO, I’d love to welcome you!

Contact me to schedule your appointment today. Link to book appointment with me is in my profile.

08/20/2025

My quick lunch from leftovers:
- turkey
-beef patty
-bok choy
-kale
-roasted butternut squash
- Fresh tomatoes
-basil pesto

As someone who had gut and thyroid issues, I am mindful about adding plenty fiber (good bugs in our gut love it) and protein (critical for thyroid function) to every meal I eat.

07/20/2025

Come join me next Saturday

07/16/2025

🌿 What Is SIBO? 🌿

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) happens when bacteria that normally live in the large intestine start to grow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong.

This overgrowth can disrupt digestion, impair nutrient absorption, and lead to a wide range of symptoms that affect your daily life.

🚨 Common Symptoms Include:
• Bloating (especially after meals)
• Gas or belching
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation or diarrhea (or both)
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Food intolerances (especially to carbs & fiber)

How SIBO Is Treated:
• Functional lab testing to confirm overgrowth
• Herbal or prescription antimicrobials
• Targeted nutrition plan (like low-FODMAP, Simple Carbohydrate Diet)
• Gut motility support (prokinetics)
• Long-term root cause support to prevent recurrence

✨ How I Can Help:
As a functional nutritionist, I guide you through SIBO testing, create a personalized plan to address the root causes, and support you every step of the way—from symptom relief to long-term healing.

📩 Ready to uncover the root of your digestive issues? DM me or visit aigerimbijelic.com to learn more.

07/09/2024

Did you know that okra has so many health benefits?

During our recent trip to Tennessee, I saw fresh okra in a local grocery store and immediately bought it. This plant is truly jam packed with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.

These are some of its health benefits:
- supports regular bowel movements and reduces constipation.
- due to the presence of mucilaginous compounds can neutralize acids and create a protective layer in the GI tract
- Has been shown to speed up healing in peptic ulcers
- Has anti microbial effects on certain pathogenic microbes such as Mycobacterium, Helicobacter pylori and others.
- Can act as antioxidant and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Has a high amount of fiber, which helps to eliminate toxins.

It doesn’t have a strong taste and cooks pretty fast. It does have somewhat slimy texture, but I can ignore it given so many health benefits.

Do you like okra and if so, what’s your favorite okra recipe?