Dr. Joseph Salhab
@thestomachdoc • 2,200,000 subscribers
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A gastroenterologist performing an endoscopy on herself is seriously impressive. This procedure is called an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), also known as an upper endoscopy. It involves passing a thin, flexible camera through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. As a gastroenterologist, I use upper endoscopy to diagnose conditions like acid reflux (GERD), esophagitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, celiac disease, and even stomach or esophageal cancer. And it’s not just for looking. During an EGD, we can take biopsies, stop bleeding, stretch narrowed areas of the esophagus, remove certain growths, and treat other digestive problems. Most patients undergo this procedure with sedation, which makes watching a gastroenterologist demonstrate an upper endoscopy on herself even more impressive. It’s one of the most useful tools we have in gastroenterology, allowing us to diagnose and sometimes treat digestive conditions without surgery. Pretty incredible what modern endoscopy can do.
Dr. Joseph Salhab653,800 views • 14 days ago
This viral kiwi breakfast is actually packed with gut and colon health benefits. This simple breakfast combines kiwi, Greek yogurt, honey, and fresh lime. Kiwi: Packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants that support gut health and help protect cells from damage. Studies show that eating 2 green kiwis daily can improve constipation, bowel regularity, and abdominal comfort. Greek yogurt: Provides protein, calcium, and probiotics when it contains live cultures. Higher calcium intake has been associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, while probiotics can support beneficial gut bacteria. Honey: Adds natural sweetness and makes the combination taste even better. Lime: Another source of vitamin C and citrus antioxidants. Interestingly, research has also linked higher citrus fruit consumption with a lower likelihood of fatty liver disease. This is one of those easy breakfast ideas that combines protein, fiber, probiotics, and antioxidants in a meal that tastes delicious while supporting your digestive health, gut microbiome, and colon health. Original video: @Emily Mariko
Dr. Joseph Salhab196,400 views • 7 days ago
6 drinks that can help improve your gut health. Some of these drinks contain prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, and polyphenols that can help support your gut microbiome and feed beneficial gut bacteria. Cranberry juice contains polyphenols that may help support healthy gut bacteria. Blueberry juice is packed with anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that may benefit your gut microbiome. Orange juice provides vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds that support digestive health. Kefir is a fermented dairy drink containing probiotics that can help introduce beneficial bacteria into your gut. Hot cocoa contains cocoa polyphenols that have been shown to influence gut bacteria, including Bifidobacteria. Kiwi juice provides vitamin C and plant compounds, while whole kiwi also contains fiber that supports constipation relief and bowel regularity. One important tip: Blend your fruits instead of juicing them whenever possible. Blending keeps the fiber, which acts as a prebiotic and helps feed your good gut bacteria. Juicing removes much of that fiber. Your beneficial gut bacteria, including Bifidobacteria, use certain fibers and plant compounds to help them grow and thrive, supporting a healthier gut microbiome and digestive system. If you love learning simple ways to improve gut health, hit that follow button and share this with someone who needs it! Credit: @Olivia Amitrano✨
Dr. Joseph Salhab268,400 views • 11 days ago
5 constipation warning signs you should NEVER ignore. Constipation is common, but sometimes a change in your bowel movements can be a sign of something more serious. 1. Abdominal pain that radiates to your back: Severe or persistent stomach pain that travels to your back may indicate something more serious than ordinary constipation and needs medical attention. 2. Can’t pass gas, swollen belly, and vomiting: These can be warning signs of a bowel obstruction, where something is blocking your intestines. This is a medical emergency. 3. Blood in your stool: Bright red blood, maroon stools, or black, tarry stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. Never automatically assume it’s hemorrhoids. 4. Pencil-thin stools and incomplete emptying: A persistent change in stool shape, especially if you never feel completely emptied, can sometimes indicate narrowing in the colon or rectum. 5. New constipation after age 45: If you’ve always had regular bowel movements and suddenly develop constipation that lasts longer than a week, get it checked out. These symptoms don’t automatically mean colon cancer or a bowel obstruction. Conditions like IBS, medications, and other digestive problems can also cause changes in bowel habits. But new, persistent, or unexplained constipation should never be ignored, especially when accompanied by other warning signs. And remember, if you’ve always been regular and suddenly you’re not, that’s a reason to talk to your doctor.
Dr. Joseph Salhab57,800 views • 4 days ago
How I try to avoid food poisoning when I travel ✈️ A few simple habits can lower your risk: • Wash your hands before you eat. It sounds simple, but germs from stool can easily spread to your hands from bathroom surfaces, door handles, phones, and other frequently touched objects. • Choose foods that are freshly cooked and served hot. This is especially important in airports, food courts, and buffets. • Avoid foods that have been sitting out at room temperature, especially meat, seafood, dairy products, rice, and sauces. One thing many people don’t know is that bismuth subsalicylate has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of travelers’ diarrhea and is included as an option in travel medicine guidelines for some travelers. However, bismuth is not appropriate for everyone. It can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners, aspirin, and other medications, and may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to discuss it with your healthcare professional before taking it. Even if you do everything right, food poisoning and travelers’ diarrhea can still happen. But practicing good hand hygiene, choosing freshly cooked foods, and following food safety recommendations can significantly lower your risk while traveling. This is not medical advice. This post is a review of gastroenterology and travel medicine guidelines for educational purposes only. Always discuss medications with your own healthcare professional before taking them.
Dr. Joseph Salhab1,100,000 views • 3 months ago
Warning signs of colon cancer you should never ignore. Save and share! Duet with @Jessica Sanchez Changes in bowel habits: New constipation, diarrhea, or changes in how often you poop that persist for more than a week. A growing tumor can sometimes narrow the colon and interfere with normal bowel movements. Blood in your stool: Colon cancer can cause bleeding anywhere along the colon or rectum. Sometimes the blood is bright red, darker, or even invisible to the naked eye. Persistent abdominal pain or cramping: A tumor can cause narrowing, pressure, or irritation inside the colon, leading to unexplained abdominal discomfort that keeps returning. Feeling like you haven’t completely emptied: A growth in the rectum can make you feel like you still need to poop, even after you’ve just gone to the bathroom. Unexplained weight loss: Colon cancer can affect your appetite, metabolism, and how your body uses energy, sometimes causing weight loss without any changes to your diet or exercise. Unusual fatigue or weakness: Slow bleeding from colon cancer can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, leaving you feeling exhausted, dizzy, or short of breath. These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have colon cancer, but new, persistent, or unexplained changes should never be ignored. And unexplained rectal bleeding deserves evaluation even if it happens only once. Early detection matters. Colon cancer screening can find precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. #coloncancer #coloncancerawareness #healthtips #medicine
Dr. Joseph Salhab171,100 views • 19 days ago
How to eat healthy and save money on groceries. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. These are some of my favorite budget-friendly grocery shopping tips for getting more protein, fiber, and nutritious foods while spending less money. Buy canned beans. They’re packed with cheap protein and fiber, and you can often find them for around $1 a can at Aldi. Buy dry lentils. They’re incredibly affordable. Soak them if you want, cook them, and mix them into ground beef. You’ll stretch your meat further and have more leftovers for the next day while adding extra fiber and plant protein. Buy frozen fish. It lasts much longer, so there’s no pressure to cook it right away. Look for bulk bags at Costco to save money. Buy frozen fruit. Perfect for smoothies, Greek yogurt bowls, oatmeal, and healthy desserts. Walmart’s store brand is a great place to look for affordable options. Buy frozen vegetables. They’re nutritious, convenient, and easy to throw into a pan, soup, or stir-fry. You can sometimes find bags for around $1 at Aldi. Freeze your bread and toast it later. Freezing and reheating bread may increase resistant starch, which can help reduce its blood sugar impact. Plus, your bread lasts longer, so you waste less. Healthy eating on a budget doesn’t have to be complicated. A few smart grocery swaps can help you save money, reduce food waste, eat more fiber, and get plenty of protein without spending a fortune. #grocerieshopping #savingmoney
Dr. Joseph Salhab153,900 views • 23 days ago
RECIPE BELOW 👇 Cinnamon apple pie yogurt Recipe: • 1/4 apple, sliced • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey • Cinnamon, to taste • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce • 1 tablespoon walnuts Directions: • Add the sliced apple to a pan with honey and cinnamon • Sauté and lightly stew until soft and browned • Add Greek yogurt to a bowl • Stir in the unsweetened applesauce • Top with the warm cinnamon apples • Finish with the walnuts and enjoy You’ve got a gut-healthy breakfast bowl packed with protein, fiber, probiotics, and liver-friendly ingredients. Save and share. #highproteindessert #yogurtbowl #fitdessert #easymeals #proteinrecipes
Dr. Joseph Salhab1,300,000 views • 7 months ago
The viral chia seed applesauce is worth the hype. Credit @Brittany Carpenter | MS, RD/LD If Greek yogurt isn’t your favorite, this is one of the easiest ways I’ve found to add chia seeds to your diet. Ingredients: • 8 ounces unsweetened applesauce • 1½ tablespoons chia seeds • Cinnamon (optional) Mix the applesauce and chia seeds together really well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you want it even thicker. Top with a little cinnamon and enjoy. What I like most about this recipe is how easy it is to eat. The chia seeds soften as they sit, and the applesauce makes the texture much lighter than something like Greek yogurt. If you don’t love thick foods, this can be a great alternative. Chia seeds are rich in fiber and can help support digestive health, gut health, bowel regularity, fullness, satiety, and healthy eating. One important tip: drink at least 8 ounces of water after eating it. Chia seeds absorb water, so staying hydrated helps them do what they’re supposed to do. Not a fan of chia seeds? You can make a similar snack by mashing fresh raspberries or ripe mango into applesauce for a naturally sweet, fruit-packed alternative. Simple ingredients. Easy recipe. High in fiber. Great for gut health. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or meal prep.
Dr. Joseph Salhab654,000 views • 4 months ago
Foods I tell people to eat with a fatty liver. Diet is just one part of this but it is an important part! Fatty liver, also called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is one of the most common liver conditions, and the good news is that liver fat can often improve with the right dietary changes. Certain foods are especially helpful because they contain fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and nutrients that support liver health and metabolic function. High-fiber foods help support blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and your gut microbiome. That’s important because gut health and liver health are closely connected through the gut-liver axis. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially fatty fish, may help reduce liver fat and improve triglyceride levels. Extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and avocados provide unsaturated fats that can support liver health, particularly when they replace foods high in saturated fat. Colorful fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, and other antioxidants that may help protect liver cells from oxidative stress. And don’t forget coffee, one of the best-studied beverages for liver health, with research linking regular consumption to a lower risk of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The biggest improvements in fatty liver usually come from combining these foods with regular exercise, reducing added sugars and excess saturated fat, and losing weight when appropriate. Fatty liver can improve, and in many cases liver fat can return to normal. The goal is to build a diet that supports your liver every day, not rely on a detox or cleanse. #fattyliver #liverhealth
Dr. Joseph Salhab130,400 views • 29 days ago
This fiber can help with BOTH diarrhea and constipation. Duet with @Kirti Tewani It’s called psyllium husk, and the reason it can work in opposite situations is because it holds onto water. If your stool is too loose or you have diarrhea, psyllium can absorb some of that extra water and help make the stool more formed. If you’re constipated, it holds water inside the stool, making it softer, bulkier, and easier to pass. That’s why psyllium can be useful for constipation, diarrhea, stool consistency, bowel regularity, and IBS. Another benefit is that psyllium is less fermentable than many other fibers, so it generally produces less gas and bloating. It’s also considered low FODMAP, which is one reason it can be a good fiber option for people with IBS. How to start: • Start with about 1 teaspoon, or roughly 3–5 grams, once daily • For every 5 grams of psyllium, drink at least 8 ounces of water • Morning is an easy time to take it consistently • Increase the amount gradually, about once a week, depending on how you tolerate it I like mixing psyllium with mashed fruit or fruit juice and letting it thicken into a healthy fiber jelly that I can add to Greek yogurt. The key with psyllium is to start low, increase slowly, and drink enough water. If you love simple gut health and constipation tips like this, hit the follow button.
Dr. Joseph Salhab311,500 views • 2 months ago
Fibermaxing with avocado and beans. #duet with @Fiber_China 💫 This meal had nearly 25 grams of fiber in a single sitting. • 1 large avocado = about 14 grams of fiber • ½ cup cannellini beans = about 9 grams of fiber • 1 slice sourdough toast = about 2 grams of fiber That’s roughly 25 grams of fiber from one simple meal. Fiber helps support gut health, digestive health, bowel regularity, healthy bowel movements, microbiome diversity, fullness, satiety, appetite control, blood sugar management, cholesterol reduction, heart health, metabolic health, and healthy weight management. Avocados provide fiber, healthy fats, and nutrients that can help keep you satisfied after a meal. Cannellini beans are packed with fiber, plant-based protein, prebiotics, resistant starch, and nutrients that help nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support a healthy gut microbiome. Even the sourdough toast contributes additional fiber and helps round out the meal. High-fiber meals like this can help increase fullness, reduce cravings, support weight loss goals, improve digestive regularity, promote healthy cholesterol levels, support blood sugar balance, and make healthy eating easier. If you’re looking for a simple high-fiber meal for gut health, digestive wellness, microbiome health, heart health, metabolic health, and overall nutrition, this is a great place to start. Nearly 25 grams of fiber. One meal. #fiber
Dr. Joseph Salhab598,500 views • 4 months ago
Fatty liver disease is strongly linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress — and your food choices can directly affect all three. Foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenols may help support liver health and reduce fat buildup in the liver. Chia seeds and flax seeds provide fiber and omega-3 fatty acids that help support the gut-liver axis, while high polyphenol foods and vitamin C rich foods help combat oxidative stress associated with fatty liver. A diet focused on antioxidant-rich foods, healthy fats, fiber, and whole foods may help improve metabolic health and support a healthier liver over time. #fattyliver #fattyliverdisease #liverhealth #liverdetox #inflammation
Dr. Joseph Salhab538,900 views • 5 months ago
