Gut and Digestive Health Naturopathic Treatments in San Diego

Gut function directly influences emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, loose stools, heartburn, constipation are all signs that something is going on in the gut. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to read further!

What Causes An Unhealthy Gut?

Several factors may contribute to an unhealthy gut. Individuals taking frequent antibiotics are at an increased risk gut disorders as these medication also impact good microbes.

Those consuming a Standard American Diet which is low in fiber are also prone to gut problems as fiber is crucial for a healty gut.

Lastly, chronically-stressed individuals may also be more likely to develop an unhealthy gut due to the impact of stress hormones on the GI tract.

Why Is Gut Health Important?

Digestive problems have profound effects on various aspects of health including the following:

Gut Health and Sleep

Most people are aware of the connection between gut health and sleep. Recent research suggests that the gut plays a crucial role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. An unhealthy gut manifests as disturbed sleep patterns and insomnia.

Immune and Gut Health

Approximately 70% of the immune system resides in your gut! When the gut is imbalanced, this can affect immune function. The gut is home to billions of bacteria, many of which are beneficial and aid in immunity. Disruption of gut bacteria leads to several problems including autoimmune diseases, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Gut health and Mood

The second brain of the body comprises the gut. Vagus connects the gut and brain, transmitting signals between the two organs. This allows the influence of the gut on the brain and vice versa. Research demonstrates that an unhealthy gut is associated with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. The gut also influences production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays an important role in mood.

Concentration and Gut Health

Numerous studies have demonstrated a connection between the function of the brain and gut health. The gut-brain axis is associated with cognitive function, stress, and mood. One theory explains that gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters affecting the function of the brain. For instance, dopamine is produced in the gut and plays an important role in focus and concentration.

Skin and Gut Health

Gut health can have a significant impact on skin health. Certain microbes in the gut cause inflammation, resulting in skin problems. This includes acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It also includes the worsening of skin conditions. The microbiome also affects immune function causing impaired regulation and balance, resulting in increased inflammation and skin infections.

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Conditions Associated With An Unhealthy Gut

Dysbiosis

An imbalance in the bacteria in the intestines is referred to as gut dysbiosis.

This manifests as health problems including nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and digestive disorders. Symptoms of dysbiosis inclyde bad breath, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain etc.

Dysbiosis is usually diagnosed by your doctor by reviewing your medical history, assessing your symptoms, and by ordering tests including a comprehensive digestive stool analysis (CDSA).

A CDSA can tell your doctor if there is an imbalance or overgrowth or bacteria in your digestive tract.

A digestive disorder associated with dysbiosis is SIBO. SIBO is a condition when abnormally high amounts of bacteria move up from the large intestine into the small intestine. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. SIBO is a common cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Though diagnosis might seem like the primary challenge here, it’s key to catching this issue early on. Many patients suffer from SIBO for years because their doctors are unaware of it. If you think you might have SIBO, bring it up with your doctor.

Leaky Gut

Contact of the intestinal wall with inflammatory foods, toxins, or even metabolites from bacteria and fungi, can lead to damage to the cells lining the gut. The barrier between the cell of the digestive tract form a barrier between the gut and the bloodstream. It is important to prevent toxins and larger proteins from escaping the GI tract and into the bloodstream. Impaired tight junctions cause the barrier to become leaky, resulting in the escape of proteins from the digestive tract and into the bloodstream, resulting in an immune response against them. A leaky gut can lead to food allergies, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and neurological disorders.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is described as the chronic inflammation of the gut, encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Symptoms of IBD are diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and blood in the stool. IBD is often caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The Standard American diet contains foods that are highly refined and low in fiber which results in dysbiosis that may worsen symptoms of IBD. IBD is a serious conditions and should be evaluated by a health care practitioner that is well versed at addressing digestive disorders.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD are prevalent diseases affecting hundreds of people in the United States. GERD is often worse at night when lying down. While GERD can be highly uncomfortable, there are several ways to manage and treat the condition. If you suspect you may be suffering from GERD, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Learn More About These Common Gut Health Symptoms

Naturopathic Approach to Gut Health

When it comes to addressing gut conditions, as naturopathic and functional medicine doctors we take was is called the 5 R approach.

Remove: any infection, bacterial, yeast, or fungal overgrowth, or food sensitivities and/or allergies that might be contributing to the condition.
Replace: any digestive enzymes or stomach acid that needs to be added support healthy digestion.
Repair: Repairing the gastrointestinal lining which is often compromised in gut conditions as discussed earlier in this article using supplements and herbs.
Re-inoculate: adding back in any friendly bacteria that is lacking in the digestive tract.
Rebalance: rebalancing the patient’s life to be able to maintain this new gut friendly way of life.

As naturopathic doctors will tell you, testing is vital in figuring out the source of any condition.

This includes testing blood for food allergies and sensitivities, yeast or bacterial overgrowth using breath or stool tests, as well as digestive and absorption markers.

Following a testing, your doctor will make a treatment plan that is personalized to you.

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