If there is one organ system that is central to health, it is the gut.  It not only turns what we eat into absorbable nutrients and energy while clearing waste out of our bodies, it is pivotal to our immune health, mental-emotional health and is home to the microbiome – trillions of microorganisms that can set the stage for health or disease.

Studies have linked imbalances in the microbiome to asthma, allergies, obesity, autoimmune disease, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. A large amount of our mood-regulating chemicals, neurotransmitters, are made in the gut. Recent studies are demonstrating that our microbes are also able to produce and consume these same neurotransmitters, which is one reason gut health is linked to anxiety, depression, dementia, autism, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

The gut is also where our immune system matures, or “goes to school.” The immune system learns what is safe and what is not, what to attack and what to leave alone. When there is an imbalance in the gut flora, or inflammation in the gut, this can set the stage for autoimmune inflammatory disorders.

These are some of the reasons why treating the gut is such an important part of my practice. People may come in wanting to be rid of an annoying symptom, such as bloating or heartburn, but these symptoms can have further reaching implications, and can be a major obstacle on the road to health.

The gut is central to immune function, mental-emotional health, inflammation, hormone health and overall energy and vitality

I have many years of experience treating the following conditions:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – gas, bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea

• Heartburn/GERD

• Chronic indigestion/dyspepsia

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis

• Ulcers and gastritis

• Celiac Disease

In order to understand the cause of these symptoms, a better understanding of how food affects the gut is important. Patients may be asked to track their diet for a time, complete a version of the elimination diet, or do a blood test to identify one type of food sensitivity (IgG).

Next, addressing the microbiome is key. Understanding the types of bacteria, amounts, and the location in the GI tract is very important, and sometimes SIBO testing or comprehensive GI tests are used.

Lastly, making sure each organ involved in digestion and assimilation is working optimally is critical. This often involves addressing stomach acid production, liver/gallbladder function, small intestine inflammation/permeability/motility and pancreatic enzymes .