Strong Woman Spotlight: Dr. Christine Bishara

Spotlight on Dr. Christine Bishara: Pioneer of the Gut-Covid Connection

Interview and Written by Belinda McCall, Founder of WomanBeeWell.com

Dr. Christine Bishara is the founder of From Within Medical, a medical wellness practice that places emphasis on the mind-body and gut-brain axis to prevent and manage disease. She caught my attention when she published her study on which probiotics can help decrease the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

I caught up with Dr. Bishara to find out more about how and why she helps women achieve optimum health.

We chose to highlight Dr. Bishara in this issue for her pioneering work regarding the gut-COVID connection and also her ongoing work to empower women to achieve their unique wellness goals. Of course, she also has an inspirational story to share!

Dr. Bishara giving one of her patients an IV immune boost with Glutathione- the most powerful antioxidant our body makes.

BELINDA: SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT INTO THIS... HOW DO YOU SUPPORT WOMEN'S WELLNESS ?

DR. BISHARA: Women are givers and always put others first, sometimes neglecting their own health. My passion is to help women prioritize their health through prevention and wellness and in particular, gut-brain health, as I believe it is the key to feeling your best AND looking your best.

B: CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT HOW YOU WORK WITH WOMEN TO OPTIMIZE THEIR GUT-BRAIN HEALTH?

DR. BISHARA: Sure! My wellness and weight loss evaluations are multi-dimensional and highly customized for each person. I focus on overall nutritional status while looking for any deficiencies that might affect gut health and increase the risk of developing chronic conditions.

My exams are unique for each person. Many times they take over an hour to complete because I utilize my 20+ years of practicing internal medicine while incorporating my integrative training to understand my patients' health status.

I give natural supplements and recommend lifestyle changes that decrease the risk of developing chronic illness while optimizing the gut-brain axis. I also perform a detailed gut-brain assessment to tap into factors that may be affecting our overall health. This includes gut and mental health, as well as cognitive function.

B: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SUPPORT WOMEN ON THEIR WELLNESS PATHS?

DR. BISHARA: It's a powerful thing when women draw strength from one another. How many times have you had a female friend uplift and encourage you? I know I've experienced it many times. While we are all on different paths and at different points in our lives, supporting one another is the most empowering thing we can do for each other.

Dr. Bishara knew she wanted to become a doctor after seeing the physical and psychological difference after losing 70 pounds.

B: WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER THAT YOU WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR? WHAT EVENTS IN YOUR OWN LIFE INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE YOUR PRACTICE , FROM WITHIN MEDICAL?

DR. BISHARA: Ever since I was a teenager, health, especially nutritional health was always something I was passionate about. This was solidified when as an overweight teen, I lost 70 pounds.

It was then that I knew I wanted to be a doctor after seeing the difference it made in me physically, but more importantly, psychologically. Wellness and weight loss are not just about diet but encompass many factors that are often not adequately addressed.

We are each unique and so are our nutritional needs. Now more than ever, there is evidence pointing to the gut-brain axis playing a much bigger role in overall health than we have ever realized.

My recently published a research study on the role of the gut and COVID that highlights this important link not only between our gut and immune system, but our gut and mental well-being.

B: WE ALL FACE CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT LIFE. WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES OR SETBACKS YOU FACED WHEN STARTING OUT? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

When I first started my practice, I was expecting instant success, but that rarely happens. Success never follows a linear path.

There are many forks in the road and a lot of moving parts, so be prepared for the ups and downs. Keep this mindset and you will emerge triumphantly.

There will always be someone who is critical of you or the work you're doing. Most of the time what they have to say is 99% opinion. Without the experience or expertise to back it up, it’s just talk designed to make you second guess yourself.

There is a difference between constructive advice and criticism. It's important to differentiate the two. Had I listened to my critics, I would not be where I am today.

B: You are so right! The road to success is never straight and it never looks the way you expect.Thank you for sharing that wisdom with us.

B: WHAT IS ONE PART OF YOUR OWN WELLNESS ROUTINE THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND OTHER WOMEN TO TRY?

DR. BISHARA: Definitely without a doubt-Intermittent fasting! It is a great way to give your gut time to rest so it can focus on other functions besides digesting food.

DR. BISHARA LEAVES YOU WITH THIS:

"You are different and unique. There is no one else like you with the same gifts, talents or perspective. Use that to propel you forward, knowing no one else can do what you can do."

Interview and Article by Belinda McCall, Founder of WomanBeeWell.com

Belinda McCall is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and the Founder of WomanBeeWell.com and WomanBeeWell Magazine. She believes that wellness looks different for every woman and strives to help each woman uniquely shine her brightest. Subscribe to WomanBeeWell Magazine for free, get nutrition and mindset tips, plant-based recipes, and more at her website: http://womanbeewell.com/