Welcome to the Third Episode of the Modern Gastro Podcast- Digestive Mysteries
Listen to the third episode here
Unraveling Digestive Mysteries: A Conversation with Tamara Duker Freuman
Welcome to the Modern Gastro podcast, today’s episode promises an enlightening discussion with Tamara Duker Freuman, a distinguished registered dietitian and author renowned for her expertise in digestive nutrition. Tamara, based in New York, is affectionately known as America’s trusted digestive nutrition expert. With extensive experience at New York Gastroenterology Associates and author of two impactful books, including her latest release, “Regular,” Tamara brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.Tamara Duker Freuman is a New York-based registered dietitian, author and America’s Trusted Digestive Nutrition Expert. A nationally-known authority on digestive health and medical nutrition therapy for gastrointestinal diseases, Tamara specializes in the dietary management of a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, digestive disorders and food intolerances through her Manhattan-based practice at New York Gastroenterology Associates.
In addition to her clinical work, Tamara is a high-profile nutrition writer whose advice on healthy living and dietary management of digestive disease is read by hundreds of thousands of people each month via leading online media platforms, and she serves on the Medical Advisory Board of U.S. News. Her debut book, THE BLOATED BELLY WHISPERER (St. Martin’s Press, 2018), is the first evidence-based guide to understanding and treating the many different causes of belly bloating and has been described as a “game-changer” for people suffering from chronic digestive upset. Her second book, REGULAR (Hachette Go, 2023), is a similarly evidence-based guide to understanding and treating the many different causes of chronic diarrhea and constipation. Tamara earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and completed her training at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has been featured on ABC TV’s Live with Kelly and Ryan and Good Morning America, and her advice has been featured in leading print, radio and online outlets.
Exploring “Regular”:
Tamara’s inspiration for “Regular” stemmed from her patients’ inquiries about specific gastrointestinal conditions not fully addressed in her previous book. “Regular” aims to provide personalized solutions for irregular bowel patterns, emphasizing individuality and personalization in treatment plans.
Root Cause Diagnostics:
We delve into the importance of identifying the underlying cause of digestive issues and tailoring treatment plans accordingly. Common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, and pelvic floor dysfunction are highlighted.
Navigating the Healthcare System:
Advice is shared on seeking professional help for chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, emphasizing the significance of alarm symptoms and collaboration between healthcare providers and patients.
Role of Diet in Treatment:
Tamara elaborates on utilizing therapeutic diets as diagnostic tools to assess symptom response and guide further evaluation. Strategies for patient compliance with complex diets like the low FODMAP diet are discussed.
Mental Health and Digestive Well-being:
Acknowledgment is given to the profound impact of digestive health on overall quality of life and mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of symptom control for improved life satisfaction.
Empowering Healthcare Providers:
The discussion concludes with insights into empowering healthcare providers with updated clinical practices and evidence-based solutions for digestive health, ensuring comprehensive support for patients.
Closing Remarks:
We express gratitude to Tamara for her invaluable insights and dedication to advancing gastrointestinal care. The mission to improve patient outcomes continues, fueled by ongoing dialogue and collaboration within the GI community.Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey through the intricacies of digestive health. Stay connected with CDI on social media for more educational content and updates on the Modern Gastro Podcast. Until next time, let’s continue exploring and making a positive impact on patients’ lives.Thank you, Tamara, for an insightful conversation!
Quotes from Tamara Duker Freuman:
-On the inspiration behind her book *Regular*:
“My inspiration is always my patients and the world of prospective patients who I may never get to work with… It was pretty clear to me that there was probably another book that needed to be written that was much more squarely focused on answering the questions of chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, or in people who already had a medical diagnosis but didn’t really know how to manage that condition.”
-On the importance of individuality and personalization in treatment:
“As with everything I do, I really always emphasize individuality and personalization… Your bloating may not be the same as your next-door neighbor’s bloating, or the cause of your diarrhea is not the same as your mother-in-law’s diarrhea.”
