Welcome to the
Ruscio Research Report

In each edition, I’ll share the most interesting and actionable findings from the latest health studies so you can stay informed (without sifting through dense medical journals).

Here’s what I found this month:

Adding Bacteria Helped Beat Bacterial Overgrowth

It sounds counterintuitive (adding bacteria to bacterial overgrowth), but that’s exactly what research keeps showing may help clear SIBO faster.

We’ve talked before about how pairing probiotics with antibiotics can improve outcomes. A new 2025 trial adds even more weight to that approach:

Patients who took Saccharomyces boulardii with rifaximin had higher infection clearance (78% vs. 58%)
They also reported better relief from diarrhea

We’ve seen similar results in the clinic, which is why we’ve long used Saccharomyces boulardii as part of SIBO treatment plans.

A Probiotic That Eased Arthritis Pain

Speaking of Saccharomyces boulardii, another study shows it has even more surprising benefits. People with knee osteoarthritis who took S. boulardii for three months experienced:

Less joint pain and stiffness
Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
Lower need for pain medications

What makes this remarkable is that the probiotic works in the gut, not the joints, suggesting that taming inflammation at its source may reduce pain throughout the body.

Banner image for Saccharomyces Boulardii probiotic supplement from Dr. Ruscio's store. Text on image highlights benefits: enhances digestive enzymes, supports electrolyte uptake, nourishes gut cells, and modulates immune function. Includes a link to purchase.

Tuning the Gut-Brain Axis Relieved Constipation

A 2024 clinical trial tested auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS), a non-invasive therapy that delivers gentle electrical pulses to the outer ear, where the vagus nerve connects the gut and brain.

Thirty minutes a day for four weeks led to:

Two extra bowel movements per week
Less bloating and abdominal pain
Better gut bacterial balance, including more Bifidobacteria
Lower anxiety and depression scores

Improving gut-brain signaling may do more than support regularity—it can help your digestion and mood work together again.

An Herbal Add-On Boosted IBD Care

A meta-analysis found that adding berberine to standard inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment improved: Symptom relief (less pain, diarrhea, and bleeding) Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) We often use berberine-based herbal antimicrobials in practice because they may gently calm inflammation and help strengthen the gut lining.

Each of these studies reinforces a theme we see every day in the clinic, that small, well-targeted interventions can create meaningful shifts in gut and whole-body health. Whether it’s restoring balance with the right probiotic, supporting gut-brain communication, or pairing herbal and conventional therapies, the goal is the same: work with the body’s systems, not against them.

I’ll keep sharing the most promising research so you can stay ahead of the curve and make informed, evidence-based decisions for your health.

In Health,

Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC

Adjunct Professor, University of Bridgeport
Clinical Researcher

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