I believe that everyone should be able to eat without pain. 

Whether that is the pain from a gastrointestinal disorder that causes you to feel sick or it’s the pain of socially inappropriate gas or the pain of not being able to go to your child’s soccer game because there’s no bathroom in the field. None of that is okay. The pain of not knowing what to eat at a restaurant or having to explain (again) to friends and family, why something makes you feel bad and having them not get it, is also not okay.  

I believe that in health, a person should be able to eat the widest variety of foods possible (which doesn’t include Doritos and Big Macs - if they make you feel bad that is to be expected) - but whether you choose to eat wheat or dairy or meat is your business (like I choose to believe bananas taste and smell awful and will never eat them). Health is not limiting your diet more and more to the point of having more foods that you can’t eat than you can. 

I believe that health doesn’t have to be so hard. And I believe that science can make it easier - I support using the best research available, along with clinical experience and combining it with patient preference. This can’t just be a one-way street - we need to work together.

Things I Love

You can find me growing heirloom tomatoes and basil in my tiny backyard raised garden beds. Cooking - as I love food almost as much as I love eating it. Spending time with my amazing group of travelling running friends - who truly are amazing because otherwise I would not be running. Faking it at Crossfit (and I even hesitate to use the word Crossfit because I refuse to do a lot of things). Spending time with my wonderful passionate and amazingly smart colleagues who make me better at what I do…and make my life better by being my friend. And heading out for amazing adventures (or binge-watching Netflix) with my super supportive partner Don.

The Technical Version

Dr. Kim Bretz ND is a naturopathic doctor working and living in Waterloo Region. She is a speaker, consultant and adjunct faculty at the University of Waterloo, Pharmacy.

She is a passionate international public speaker, having presented to multiple corporations and agencies, and is a guest lecturer for Canadian universities in the areas of health promotion, function foods and natural health care products. She also runs continuing education for healthcare professionals in the area of the microbiota, strain specific probiotics and gastrointestinal health. For 6 years, Kim was part of Human Nature Network, a nationally syndicated radio program though CHUM radio, speaking in the areas of women’s health.

She is a ardent supporter of education and interprofessionalism. Kim taught gastrointestinal physiology and endocrinology at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy. She teaches a course in Complementary and Alternative Medicine focusing on Interprofessionalism at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo, and has worked with the PIPER program out of McMaster (Program for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research). She has also been involved in the role of clinical lead in a research trial through the University of Guelph with the Spagnuolo Research Lab.

She has spoken or consulted for numerous companies including Thorne, Designs for Health and Rocky Mountain Analytical (LifeLabs). She was on the advisory board for Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ natural health care products and is the past president of the University of Guelph’s College of Biological Science Alumni Association.

Highlighted Speaking Events:

Restorative Medicine Conference – Santa Fe, NM; San Diego, CA; Toronto, ON

Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors – Toronto, Ontario

Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors AGM

Health Masters Live Online - Australia

BCNA Pre-Conference Digestive Discussion

California Naturopathic Doctors Association

OTIP Long Term Disability Benefits Workshop - Toronto, ON

Canadian Health Food Association Expo East – Toronto, Ontario

Osteoporosis Canada – Kitchener, Ontario

Functional Foods and Beyond, Inter-professional Event – University of Waterloo, Pharmacy School

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair: Health Professionals’ Day – Toronto, Ontario

Inter-professional Geriatric Symposium – University of Waterloo (Pharmacy, Optometry, Medical)

Human Health and Nutritional Sciences Symposium: Preventative Medicine – University of Guelph