So, often people ignore proper gut health and may not know about gut health conditions. In fact, many people are completely oblivious to how their digestive system could be the cause of their various health complaints. Quite simply it all begins in the gut. Being present to your gut noises, gas, bloating, bowel habits, and more can be key indicators as to overall health and function of the system. The digestive systems house majority of our immune system, hormonal system, as well as our neurological system so keeping them in good health is key to maintaining our metabolic health. Let’s imagine every time that you eat you have heartburn or indigestion, or perhaps you feel a little nauseous, or maybe even vomit after meals. These are all signs that your digestive system may be off balance. Not having healthy bowel movements after drining plenty of water, as well as fiber can also prevent the body from being able to function on its own. Quite simply if your gut is off balance, then so is your health. Imagine that your gut is the foundation to which your health is built off of, kind of like your blood sugar. As an aspect of digestion if your blood sugar is off balance then so is the rest of your health. Naturopathic doctors, such as myself, work to stabilize and heal the digestive system in an effort to heal the overall system of the body. If a person is experiencing a thyroid complaint the first place we check is the balance in the gut. If a person is experiencing brain fog, to feeling fatigued, again our first check is the digestive system. If a person does not have healthy bowel movements without the assistance of a laxative, then we know the digestive system is off balance. our first priority must be to balance the gut, but how?
I tend to approach gut healing from the top down. Meaning I begin with how a person is eating first by balancing their macronutrients. Are they eating too many fats and not enough carbs, or are they focusing mainly on protein and nothing else. Once we get a nice balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats then we can start the process of assisting someone in breaking their food down. This can look like enzymes, HCL support, or even food pairing and planning. This guidance is key to having a strong stable digestive system one that is a powerhouse of digestion and assimilation. As we continue to heal downward in the digestive tract we discover more imbalances such as in the small intestines as well as the large intestines which may be littered with infections and coinfections such as parasites, bacterias, fungus, or viruses. Working to heal the body of these foreign infections not only helps free up the digestive system but also the immune system which is commonly bogged down by these pathogens. Reinoculating the system with appropriate microbes such as pre and probiotics as well as key nutrients all found in the gut such as zinc, b complex, folic acid is critical in the restoration of total health and function of the digestive tract.
When healing the digestive system, we always look at the 4 R rule; Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, and Repair. Sometimes we Remove and then Repair while other times we always Reinoculate last. This is where the individual takes place. We focus on working with the individual with their own unique needs. Comprehensive Stool Analysis or Small Intestines Organic Acids Testing can all help to identify the underlying causes to which prevent the overall health and well being of the person. Evaluating nutrient deficiencies as well as increased toxic loads within the body can also help to support the imbalances within the system from both the GI system as well as any subsequent systems that may need support. Looking forward to teaching you more about the digestive system either in a class or a one on one consultation.
All information contained in this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is neither intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment nor for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.
