GI Health

The Role of the GUT Biome in Disease and Health

Knowledge of the gastrointestinal tract has exploded in the last several years. We now understand that more than 100,00 of microflora (bacteria, yeast, virus, lectins ) reside in our GI tract work together within what is called the GUT BIOME. This biome has many important functions including digestion, absorption, barrier protection to the outside world, and is a key player in immune health. We now know that there is direct communication between the GUT biome and the Brain influencing our mood and sleep.

Functions of a healthy GUT biome (gastrointestinal tract) include:

Digestion and absorption of micronutrients and macronutrients in our diets. Foods that we eat, fluids that we drink, as well as medications and supplements all require processing within the GI tract. If the GI tract is not functioning properly than absorption will be greatly limited.
Elimination and detoxification of things harmful to our bodies (even healthy foods need to be processed and removed). Environmental chemicals that our bodies encounter must be properly cleared to maintain optimal health.
Immune support -both directly and indirectly (80 percent of our lymph nodes are right around the GI tract)

SIGNS OF PROBLEMS IN THE GUT BIOME

Direct symptoms that involve the GI tract:

Abdominal Pain
Chronic constipation
Chronic indigestion (heartburn)
Chronic loose stools or diarrhea
Cramping
Flatulence (excessive gas)
Food allergies or food intolerances
Foul smelling stool
Frequent burping, or a bloated stomach (feeling like your clothes are too tight after a meal)
Halitosis (chronic bad breath)
Less than one bowel movement daily
Nausea
Undigested food in stools

Indirect symptoms that we may not realize are related to our GI tract:

Brain Fog
Cognitive and memory deficits
Cold extremities
Fatigue
Hormonal imbalances
Joint pains
Mood issues (anxiety, depression, mood swings)
Pruritis (Itching)
Skin Rashes
Thyroid Issues
Yeast Overgrowth

DYSBIOSIS is a general term used to describe an imbalance within the GI system. Causes of Dysbiosis include poor nutrition, certain medications, stressors, low stomach acid, low digestive enzymes, food allergies, viruses, lectins, excessive alcohol intake, genetic predisposition – to name a few. The result is a bacterial imbalance, barrier disruption, immune disruption as well as those listed above.

LOW STOMACH ACID (HYPOCHLORHYDRIA)

The role of our stomach acids includes digestion of proteins, absorption of key minerals such as B12, calcium, magnesium copper, and zinc, and first line defense against offenders such as H. pylori, bacteria linked with food poisoning, infections and parasites. Today we use medications to lower stomach acid (antacids) at an alarming rate, with a potential long-term impact to the GUT Biome.

INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY (LEAKY GUT SYNDROME)

The GI lining is a single layer of cells responsible for the passage of essential nutrients and works as a barrier to harmful substances and organisms. This barrier or GI lining is impacted by many things including the use medications (antacids, chronic antibiotics, pain relievers such as NSAIDS), stress, poor diet, food allergens or intolerances and environmental chemicals.

IRRITABLE BOWEL DISEASE

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is recurrent abdominal pain and discomfort (bloating) present for several months with a change in frequency of stool and appearance of stool such as constipation or diarrhea. IBS may occur after an infection.

SMALL INTESTINAL BOWEL OVERGROWTH

Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth termed SIBO involves bacteria normally found in the large intestine that translocate (moves) into the small intestine. Symptoms include extreme bloating after the ingestion of carbohydrates, constipation, nutritional malabsorption. Integrative approaches to the management of SIBO include diet changes, specific probiotics for SIBO, correction of stomach acid balance, nutraceuticals rather than antibiotics, and specific measures to optimize vagal nerve stimulation.

GASTRITIS

Gastritis is an inflammation of lining that can cause pain in the upper GI, nausea or bleeding that may be caused by use of some medications (NSAIDS, aspirin), excessive alcohol, H. Pylori, or other infections.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES

Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Lymphocytic and Collagenous Colitis characterized by chronic or relapsing immune activation and inflammation. Functional medicine looks for environmental triggers, genetics, the adaptive immune response, the Gut microbiome, and potentially an initiating event.

GALLBLADDER DISEASE

Gallbladder disease includes symptoms such as right upper stomach pain that may be worse after eating certain foods (fried, fatty). Functional approaches include diet changes, nutraceuticals, and gallbladder flushes.

CELIAC AND FOOD ALLERGIES/INTOLERANCES

Celiac and Gluten sensitivity and other foods can cross the GUT barrier stimulating an immune response, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, rashes and more. Additionally, we see vitamin and mineral deficiencies in these conditions.

Innovative Health provides comprehensive programs targeted to the GUT BIOME our 5 R Program includes the following steps:

REMOVE (determine and remove food allergens, toxins, and other organisms such as parasites and harmful bacteria).
REPLACE items for optimal digestions such as HCL and digestive enzymes.
RE-INNOVULATE with targeted pre and probiotics to enhance a balanced microflora inside the GUT biome.
REPAIR the GUT lining to maintain GUT barrier function and integrity using nutraceuticals and herbals
REBALANCE to maintain and fortify.