NCI Well Connect

November 11, 2026

Greetings,

DID YOU KNOW that a patient's gut microbiome may carry the mark of antibiotics for up to eight years, with the biggest hits from clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and flucloxacillin?

Even one course can leave traces that recover slowly, according to a study of fecal metagenomes from nearly 15,000 adults, appearing in Nature Medicine.

The steepest diversity drop followed use within the prior year. Clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and flucloxacillin showed the strongest associations, averaging 47, 20, and 21 fewer detected species, respectively. At 4 to 8 years, 10%-15% of species still showed altered abundance, and richness never fully rebounded. Flucloxacillin's link was especially unexpected given its narrow spectrum.

Announcements

Services

Loyalty Rewards

We're nearing the end of 2026, so this is your reminder to stock up and take advantage of your loyalty points. Loyalty points reset to zero on December 31, 2026 this year. We track and apply loyalty points for you, but you can always text us to see if you're close to a loyalty reward. Note: if you order exclusively from our shopsite, ask us if you have rewards BEFORE placing your final order of 2026.

Online Ordering Alert

Our shopsite service made a change that has confused some clients. The phone number field now requires a country code. Type +1 and you're done!

We're In Our New Office!

We're so excited to greet you in our new home.

155 Revere Drive, Suite 11

Northbrook, IL 60062

Phone, fax, text, and email addresses will all be the same.

New Saturday hours are 9AM-2PM.

What Does Steve Minsky MS, HWC Do?

As a Health and Wellness Counselor, Steve evaluates the whole person. While an internist may prescribe meds, procedures, and specialists, Steve evaluates and optimizes your eating style and habits, supplements, physical activity, sleep, stress, and more. His empathy and ability to make the complex understandable sets him apart. Required Materials to Make an Appointment With Steve | Case Studies

HSA and FSA

This is a reminder if you are eligible to expense through your HSA or FSA account, use it for our services, labs, and supplements.

Text Us If Convenient at (847) 497-0902

Text is the quickest way to communicate with us (questions for Bonnie need to be by email).

Online Gift Cards

Giving the gift of wellness has never been easier. Order your gift cards here.

Loyalty Rewards

Start racking up your loyalty points early. They reset to zero at the end of each calendar year. We track and apply loyalty rewards for you, but you can always text us to see if you're close to a loyalty reward before placing an order.

Wellness Screenings

Standard Blood Work

For a list of standard blood tests for new or existing clients, please go to this page and look at Steve or Bonnie's wellness forms. You can now get our blood test requirements through Quest Diagnostics Labs at its thousands of locations across the country. This is the perfect option for those who do not want to, or cannot, go through their physicians. The cost is very reasonable. Text our office for details.

Stool Analysis

For gastrointestinal, autoimmune, or allergy-related maladies, stool analysis is a wonderful way to detect how to heal from the inside out.

Genomics Testing

For lifestyle and diet-related genetic predisposition, go to the "Pure Insight" section below.

Food Reaction Testing

Because true food allergies are rare, please Email Steve or Bonnie for authorization to get our IgE food allergy, IgE mold/fungus allergy, or celiac panel. For questions about the tests and how to prepare, contact our office staff.

Infection Support

Year-round infection is the new normal. We are exposed to many endemic viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus (stomach flu), adenovirus (common cold), monkeypox, and four other coronaviruses (common cold), among others. Support your immune system with our Free Prevent and Fight Infection 3.0 Protocol here.

Warning: Counterfeit, Adulterated Supplements Online

On the internet, especially at Amazon, there is an epidemic of counterfeit, adulterated, and purposely mislabeled dietary supplements. Recent analyses of methyl vitamin B12 supplements sold on Amazon found only 56% met label claim. Only 14 of 35 oregano oil brands met label claim. A study from JAMA Network Open found that half of immune products analyzed from Amazon had labels that did not match the contents. Amazingly, aman was arrested for selling counterfeit Pure Encapsulations products.Know your supplier!

Have a happy, healthy day! Steve and Bonnie Minsky

In Today's Issue...

WC Feature* Eczema
Making the Case for Exercise Snacks
November 20% OFF Sale
Case Report NEW! - Bones, GI, and More

Chiro Corner NEW!
Why Pure Insight?
Blog Briefs - A Statement From General Mills
Well Connect Member Benefits

*Paid Member Access Only

Share This Email

Well Connect Feature*

*This article is reserved for paid NCI Well Connect Membership.

Making the Case for Exercise Snacks

Steve: Exercise “snacks,” or “short bouts of accumulated exercise” or SBAE, show greater and greater promise as an alternative for people who can’t sustain a full-bore exercise regimen. Increasingly, research suggests exercise snacks can even tip the seesaw, capitalizing on the health benefits of movement while minimizing the harms of not moving.

SBAE, including vigorous bursts and less intense movement breaks, have beneficial acute effects on more than 10 clinical biomarkers of endocrine, cardiovascular, and brain health, according to a study in the upcoming December 2026 issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science.

For longer interventions, lasting an average of 11 weeks, quick, frequent bouts appear to improve more than 20 health outcomes, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and function, and metabolic health. Short spurts may even have an edge over longer workouts for short- and long-term glycemic control.

Less than 10 SBAE/exercise snacks improved acute endocrine, cardiovascular, and brain markers. Those averaging 11-week interventions improved 20 outcomes including fitness, strength, and metabolic health. Short bouts may match HIIT for body comp, BP, LDL, fitness in overweight women. Even 1-min vigorous bouts improve glucose in type 2 diabetes. Simple, frequent movement breaks lowered fatigue, mood, and productivity in sedentary workers.

It doesn't take much to improve your health!

20% OFF NOVEMBER SALE

Place My Order*

*Use password discount2018 at Guest Area to access pricing

Case Report NEW!

Bones, GI, Sleep, and More

A 49 year-old female came to see Steve for osteoporosis, slow digestion/constipation, chronic back, hip and neck pain, memory and concentration troubles at times, low sleep quality, trouble staying asleep.

She was doing numerous preventive therapies already. Unfortunately, some of them were misguided and Steve helped her target the ones that were helping, harming, and bring in other solutions to get her back to optimal health.

After considerable screening of blood, scans, lifestyle, health and family history, and more, Steve provided her with a succinct, manageable diet, exercise, sleep, and targeted supplement plan given her daily responsibilities with work and family.

In a few short months, she went from being osteoporatic to osteopenic. Moreover, her sleep improved and her bowel movements normalized!

Did you have a great experience working with us? Please let others know by leaving a review here.

Disclaimer: Case reports are not intended for self-healing. Case reports are for references purposes only and should be discussed with your health professional.

Chiro Corner NEW!

The Human Brain Is Two Separate Organs

Findings from researchers at Stanford University, published in Nature Neuroscience September 2026, have revealed that the brain is two distinct organs, which are derived from two different biological cells.

The front and mid part of the skull contains brain tissue that originates from one type of biological cell. This expresses a gene called Otx2 and allows this part of the brain to handle higher-level thinking, language, consciousness and abstract reasoning.

The back of the skull contains the hindbrain, and comes from a different biological cell. This expresses a gene called Gbx2 and is often called the brain stem. This controls automatic functions that keep us alive, from breathing, sleeping, and regulating our heartbeat and hunger urges. The neurons of the hindbrain also control the muscles of the face, tongue and throat, which affect speech and swallowing.

Researchers can now grow certain cells in a petri dish to study these devastating diseases that affect the brain stem. This includes spinal muscular atrophy, a leading genetic cause of death in children under 1 year of age, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is often diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70.

Sadly In both disorders, certain hindbrain neurons gradually cease to function, and the patient loses the ability to swallow. This can cause pneumonia when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs and eventually, patients lose the ability to breathe. Hopefully being able to study these specific cells of the brain can lead to an ability to help these patients in the future.

Dr. Liselotte Schuster is a Holistic Family Chiropractor and has been in practice with Nutritional Concepts since 1989. She uses a variety of techniques, including low level laser, to help patients reach their full potential. Contact Dr. Schuster at (847) 509-9067 or drliloschuster@sbcglobal.net.

Why PureInsight (formerly Genomics)?

PureInsight (formerly )Genomics harnesses the science of nutrigenomics so you can understand the relationship between your genes, nutrition, and wellness at the deepest level. Covering 72 genes in 11 trait categories, we've used Pure Insight since 2015 to help clients live longer with better quality of life.

How to Get Started

Order a genetic kit directly from Ancestry.com (AncestryDNA for $99) or 23andMe.com (Basic Ancestry for $99) and send back your saliva specimen. When your results are ready, request that we set up a PureInsight account for you. We just need your full name, email address, and date of birth. You will receive an email invitation from PureInsight with a link to set up your account and instructions for how to upload your Ancestry data. You will receive a confirmation from PureInsight when your report is ready and we can then set up an appointment to go over your results.

eNews Blog Briefs

A Statement From General Mills

What Is a Paid NCI Well Connect Membership

Twice Weekly eNewsletters with Tons of Extra Content

Long-form issues on Mondays and Wednesdays address all aspects of wellness including nutrition, mental and emotional health, physical activity, cooking, brand awareness, dietary supplements, medical breakthroughs, and much more.

Pure Genomics Wellness Screening

Results are free. Analysis with Steve or Bonnie is a separate fee.

Website Page Dedicated to Members Only

Only paid members have exclusive, password protected access to our 48 title Action Plan Library, Natural Foods Shopping List (updated quarterly), and the most recent 100 issues of our email newsletter.

Start Your 1 Year Membership Here (password: discount2018)

Navigating Our Website

Wellness Shop

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Reorder Easily By Registering At Our Website

Registering as a member of our website will allow you to reorder items quickly. At our homepage, simply click on "Log In" and sign up. There, you can create a profile and see all of your previous orders, as well as make a wishlist of items you frequently order. Click the heart icon next to the add to cart button to add any item to your wishlist.

There are two passwords returning customers need to have.

Password to log into your account. This is the password you entered when you first registered at our site. Only you know this password.
Password to get past the "Guest Area" firewall: discount2018. The password will always be discount2018 unless we notify you.

3 Options for Fulfilling Your Order at The Wellness Shop