Institute of Plant-Based Medicine

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Institute of Plant-Based Medicine Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Institute of Plant-Based Medicine, Health & Wellness Website, 901 Dover Drive Suite 205, Newport Beach, CA.

Our therapeutic modalities for treatment and the reversal of chronic disease include adopting a whole food, plant predominant diet, partaking in regular physical activity, getting restorative sleep, managing stress, and positive social connection.

07/01/2026

Let’s talk about one of the most commonly used treatments for Chronic Constipation: MiraLAX.
MiraLAX is a frequently recommended treatment for chronic constipation. As an osmotic laxative, it works by drawing water into the stool to soften it, facilitating easier passage without harsh gut stimulation. Many believe that increasing water intake alone can resolve constipation, but that is often not the case. Most of the water you consume enters the circulation and is excreted as urine; osmosis is required to pull that hydration into the colon.
What actually happens step-by-step:
Stomach: A small amount of water is absorbed here, but this is minimal.
Small intestine (main site): This is where the vast majority, about 90–95%, is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Colon (large intestine): Reclaims additional water before stool is formed.
Unlike many other laxatives perceived as harsh or habit-forming, MiraLAX supports your body’s natural rhythm rather than forcing a bowel movement. Consistency is key, and while it isn’t instant, results typically occur within 1 to 5 days. However, MiraLAX is not a permanent solution. If you find yourself needing it daily, it may be time to evaluate your diet for long-term gut health.
Follow for more gut health tips that make sense for you!

06/25/2026

Let’s talk about soda. Yeah, the drink everyone knows is bad.
Loaded with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and empty calories with zero nutritional value. We’ve done a great job exposing soda. But here’s the problem:
People still turn around and eat processed foods like cheese and bacon, thinking they’re somehow healthier. Think again. These foods are packed with saturated fat, excess calories, and zero fiber. And unlike soda, they don’t just spike your blood sugar. They impair your body’s ability to handle it. Saturated fat interferes with glucose transport into your cells, leading to higher blood sugar and insulin resistance over time. So while soda causes a quick spike. These foods help keep it elevated. And it adds up, causing weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and gut dysfunction. This isn’t just about calories. It’s about what’s happening inside your body, your gut, your cells, your long-term health. Stop giving cheese a health halo. It may not taste sweet. But the damage is real.

06/23/2026

Most people think alcohol is a carb… It’s not.
Alcohol is actually its own macronutrient, separate from carbs, protein, and fat. And here’s the part no one talks about:
It has 7 calories per gram. Compare that to carbs? Only 4 calories per gram. So alcohol is almost twice as calorie-dense as carbs, and your body treats it very differently. When you drink, your body prioritizes breaking down alcohol first. Which means fat burning and normal metabolism take a back seat. So it’s not just “empty calories,” it actually disrupts how your body processes everything else you eat.

06/19/2026

Navigating Constipation on GLP-1 Medications
Constipation is a common side effect experienced by many individuals taking GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes. In severe cases, this can lead to serious issues, including bowel blockage.
Here is how:
1- A significant factor contributing to constipation on GLP-1 medications is a common dietary shift. Many individuals mistakenly increase their protein intake dramatically while simultaneously reducing their intake of fiber-rich foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. This dietary pattern is often adopted due to the misleading belief that one must excessively boost protein to prevent muscle loss while on GLP-1s. However, significant muscle loss can be mitigated through a balanced diet and appropriate physical activity, rather than excessive protein intake.
2 Slowed gastric emptying and intestinal transit. GLP-1 signaling reduces motility in the stomach and small intestine. Food moves more slowly through the GI tract, so stool spends longer time in the colon → more water is absorbed → harder stools.
3 Reduced gut contractility (motility suppression). GLP-1 dampens the enteric nervous system activity that normally coordinates peristalsis. This “braking effect” is part of how it increases satiety, but it also slows downstream colonic transit.
4 Lower appetite, which leads to lower caloric intake, which leads to less stool production. It remains highly recommended to maintain a well-balanced diet rich in high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, when taking GLP-1 medications.
For more detailed information on preventing muscle loss while on GLP-1s, please refer to the video accessible here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZdC5bihr2F/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

06/17/2026

The REAL Nutrition Problem on GLP-1s No One is Talking About

As you may have seen in my other videos, muscle loss with GLP-1 medications is often overstated. But there is a real nutritional issue I see all the time, and it’s not getting enough attention. These medications significantly suppress appetite, and people start eating very little. So what happens?
They rely on:
Protein shakes. A tiny meal. Or maybe another protein snack.
Now, protein is absolutely important. But many people end up with a diet that’s very high in protein and extremely low in fiber. And that’s a problem.
Fiber is essential for gut health, blood sugar regulation, satiety, and preventing constipation, which is already one of the most common side effects of GLP-1 medications.
When fiber drops, GI symptoms increase: bloating, discomfort, irregularity. So if you’re on medications like Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, the goal shouldn’t just be “more protein.”
It should be balanced nutrition: adequate protein, fiber-rich whole foods, and enough total calories to support your body. Because during rapid weight loss, the real risk isn’t the medication, it’s eating a poor diet quality.

06/11/2026

One of the most common arguments against GLP-1 medications is that they “cause muscle loss.” But many of the studies behind those headlines are measuring lean body mass, not actual muscle tissue. Lean mass includes water, glycogen, connective tissue, and fat stored within muscle. So when lean mass decreases during weight loss, does that automatically mean muscle is being lost? Not necessarily. The real question is whether muscle cells, contractile proteins, and strength are being reduced, and many studies weren’t designed to answer that question directly.

06/08/2026

Most digestive symptoms are harmless, but there are a few key digestive symptoms I never ignore as a gastroenterologist.
First: blood in the stool. People often assume it’s just hemorrhoids, but that’s not always the case. It can also be related to inflammation, polyps, or even colon cancer, and it always deserves evaluation.
Second: unexplained weight loss. If you’re losing weight without trying, that can sometimes be a red flag that something deeper is going on.
Third: difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck. That’s not normal. It can signal inflammation, narrowing of the esophagus, or, in some cases, a more serious disease.
Fourth: a persistent change in bowel habits, new constipation, diarrhea, or changes in stool shape that don’t go away.
And fifth: jaundice, yellowing of the skin or eyes. That can indicate a problem involving the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas.
Here’s the key point: most symptoms are not cancer, but persistent, unexplained changes should never be ignored. In gastroenterology, early detection makes all the difference. So if your gut is sending you signals, pay attention to them.

06/04/2026

Should dairy be sold as a health food?
First, many dairy products are high in saturated fat. High saturated fat intake is well known to raise LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Second, dairy has been linked to acne in multiple studies. Milk contains hormones and growth factors like IGF-1 that can stimulate oil production and influence insulin signaling, both of which can worsen breakouts. Third, dairy proteins like casein and whey can cause inflammation in some people and are the main food triggers for a disease called eosinophilic esophagitis, an allergic inflammation of the esophagus, and can induce disease in up to 70% of cases. Dairy is also a trigger for a common disease called asthma. And fourth, for many people, dairy simply doesn’t digest well because it contains a sugar called lactose that isn’t well digested, leading to bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. This is due to lactose intolerance, and about 65% of the population is lactose intolerant.
Now, not everyone reacts the same way. But many people notice something interesting when they remove dairy. Their skin improves. Their digestion feels better. Their bloating goes down.
And here’s the key point:
Dairy is not essential. You can easily get protein, calcium, and other nutrients from plant foods, without the digestive distress some people experience with dairy. So if your body feels better without dairy. That’s not a coincidence. Have you ever tried cutting dairy?
References
Brown-Whitehorn, T., & Spergel, J. M. Journal of Food Allergy, 2020. https://doi.org/10.2500/jfa.2020.2.200010
Brown. Riverchase Dermatology, 2023. https://www.riverchasedermatology.com/blog/does-dairy-cause-acne-the-skinny-on-milk-cheese-and-breakouts/
Siri-Tarino, P. W. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-010-0131-6

06/02/2026

If I told you your anxiety might be starting in your gut, not your brain. Would you ignore this? Because most people do. Your gut isn’t just for digestion; it’s directly wired to your brain through the gut-brain axis. And here’s what’s crazy: about 90% of your serotonin, your mood chemical, is made in your gut, not your brain. So when your gut is inflamed, or your bacteria are off, your brain feels it. That means more anxiety, brain fog, and low energy. Now look at the average diet: processed foods, low fiber, animal-heavy meals. These feed the wrong bacteria and slowly damage your gut. But plant-based foods? Fiber, fruits, and vegetables. They feed the good bacteria that actually help stabilize your mood and reduce inflammation. So if you’re only treating your brain, you’re missing the root problem. Fix your gut, and your mind follows. Follow us to learn how to heal your gut naturally with a plant-based approach.

05/29/2026

Not all belly fat is the same, and one type is far more dangerous than the other. That soft, pinchable fat you can grab? That’s subcutaneous fat. It sits right under your skin. But the fat deep inside your abdomen, the kind you can’t see or touch? That’s visceral fat, also known as mesenteric fat. Subcutaneous fat is more about appearance. Visceral fat is about health risk. Because visceral fat wraps around your organs, such as your liver and intestines, and it’s metabolically active. It releases inflammatory signals and is strongly linked to heart disease, insulin resistance, and Type 2 Diabetes. And here’s what most people miss:
You don’t have to look overweight to have high visceral fat.
You can be “thin” on the outside and still carry dangerous fat internally.
A protruding or firm abdomen can be a sign, but it’s not the only one. (And not all bloating is fat, sometimes it’s gut-related.) So what actually drives visceral fat? Highly processed foods, excess added sugars, foods high in saturated fats, genetics, chronic stress, poor sleep, low physical activity, and diets lacking fiber. Now here’s where things shift:
When you move toward a whole-food, plant-forward diet, your body starts working differently. More fiber. More antioxidants. Better insulin sensitivity. And over time, your body preferentially reduces visceral fat first. So fat loss isn’t just about looking leaner. It’s about protecting your organs, improving metabolic health, and reducing inflammation from the inside out.

Address

901 Dover Drive Suite 205
Newport Beach, CA
92660

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30am
Tuesday 9am - 4:30am
Wednesday 9am - 4:30am
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19494044444

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Institute of Plant-Based Medicine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Institute of Plant-Based Medicine:

Shortcuts

Share

Category