Disclosure: Post sponsored by Project Baseline but all opinions are my own.
Back in February, I was invited to speak at a retreat in Mexico.
I’ve had great and not so great experiences south of the border.
Nothing like Jack Black in Nacho Libre or From Dusk Till Dawn with George Clooney but still adventurous.
Highlights include zip lining in Puerto Vallarta, hiking in Cuernavaca outside Mexico City, exploring the second largest coral reef in the world, and cycling, on my mountain bike, the 50-mile Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride along the Pacific Ocean ending at the Finish Line Fiesta.
Lowlights include dealing with an almost-case of Montezuma’s revenge eventually solved by Gut Soothing Mint Tea and New Year’s Eve with Federales inside a Mexican Police Van.
On this trip, I’m proud to report that I had zero negative symptoms south of the border on the retreat. Though it was unfortunate to see others experience stomachaches and embarrassing flatulence.
Since it’s never fun to see someone else in pain, and because you never know what may happen, I always bring a few remedies to help just in case something may happen to me or someone else.
“Dr. Joel” in the house as some call me, though I will be the first to admit I have not been to medical school, just thousands of my own hours of research, Integrative Institute of Nutrition, and many additional Functional, Integrative, Naturopathic Medicine workshops, trainings, and certifications.
Why did my friends feel ill and I did not?
Was it the food? Water? Juice? Mindset? Emotions? Genes? Environment? Something else?
Right now, there are more questions than answers. We obviously need more research.
Today you have an opportunity to make a difference.
Did you know that less than 10% of Americans participate in research? That’s so sad! And maybe why we don’t yet have better treatment options and are not closer to a cure. I think a big reason for this is accessibility.
Listen to Bethany’s thoughts on the potential real-world impact of this type of clinical research.
Listen to Carl’s experience with Project Baseline
Join me and Dennis in contributing to the Map of Human Health
Be Bold
Step Forward
Join Stormy and me
Project Baseline by Verily is an initiative to make it easy and engaging to participate in clinical research. They are conducting the Baseline Gut Research Project and asking those with IBD to contribute to a better understanding of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis by sharing your health history.
Compensation will be provided.
To participate in Project Baseline and help researchers with the Gut Project, you simply take an easy online survey about your health history.
The survey is easy to use – just follow the prompts.
My biggest fears about this research were around legitimacy and safety, which I covered in a previous blog post.
Please join me in contributing to the Map of Human Health as we together move closer towards a CURE for all with IBD Crohn’s and Colitis.
Here’s a link to the project again. Thank You One Great Gut IBD Family for helping move the needle forward in a meaningful way and please share this blog post with other so we can all live happier and healthier lives.
With Joy and Gratitude,
Joel
