SYMPTOMS OF DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

Leaky Gut and Functional Medicine

Fixing the gut is typically the first place we start when treating chronic health conditions. Having a healthy gut is essential to overall health. Approximately 60-80% of the immune system is located in the gut. Therefore, having gut issue can affect the immune system. Leak gut occurs when the lining of the gut has broken down. Toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles will escape from the GI tract and enter the blood stream. Your immune system recognizes these things as foreign invaders and initiates an immune response. This is how many autoimmune problems are related to gut issues.

Our brain, also, relies on a properly functioning gut. When it is not functioning right, even the brain is affected. There is a large neurological network located in our gut. Our gut is called our “second brain” because of this neural network. The gut communicates with the brain. Therefore, if the gut is not working properly, it doesn’t send the proper messages to the gut and vice versa.

Poor diets can upset gut balance. Some examples of things that upset gut balance are:

• Diets low in fiber
• Diets high in sugar
• Eating too many processed foods
• Eating food that have little to no nutrients
• Utilizing medications
• High stress
• Not having enough digestive enzymes
• Toxins in food, water and the environment

There are good bacteria that line your intestines. You must have the proper amount of good bacteria in your gut to remain healthy. If bad bacteria start to get out of control and you have too many good bacteria versus bad bacteria, your system gets out of balance. When the system is out of balance, you will start to develop symptoms, such as, what are listed above.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Digestive Problems

After obtaining a detailed health history, we will have you complete the functional medicine testing specific for you case. Typically, we follow a 4 Step Protocol.

Step 1 – Remove – We will remove irritants to the digestive tract, such as, foods that you are allergic to, pathogens that are in your gut, and stress.

Step 2 – Restore – We restore the gut using digestive enzymes and Hydrochloric Acid.

Step 3 – Reinoculate – We will utilize probiotics to help build the good bacteria back up in your gut.

Step 4 – Repair – We will repair the digestive lining with specific supplements that are necessary for your specific case based on the functional medicine lab testing.

What Can be Done for Thyroid Problems?

After having a consultation, review of an extensive health history, lifestyle, and environmental factors, the proper functional medicine testing can be recommended. After reviewing the results with Dr. Kalie, a treatment plan will be given to you to follow. The treatment plan will include lifestyle, dietary, and supplementation recommendations.

Please contact us now to regain your health by working with Dr. Kalie