Digestion- The Root Of Health
Naturopathic and functional medicine places great importance on the health of our digestion and gastrointestinal tract, Our digestive tract is where we interact with the world-it is where we absorb our nutrition. It is how we remove our wastes and toxins. It influences our immune system’s health greatly ( see AutoImmune Diseases for more information). And it is one of our most susceptible systems to the havoc that modern day living ensues.
Diet, Stress, and Antibiotics
What we eat is important. It is our fuel. Proper food choices and meals are essential to the health of the whole body. Food can be health-giving, or disease-causing, Dr Kathleen will create a personalized food plan for you based on YOUR health- not the latest craze or fad. This will allow your body to thrive, and give the nutrients it needs to achieve optimal health.
Unfortunately the integrity of our digestive tract is threatened daily. Stress reduces our ability to properly digest our foods- leading to heart burn, gas, bloating and other symptoms. Over time it leads to a low level of inflammation in the GI tract, predisposing us to increased gut permeability which increases food sensitivities, immune reactions and total body inflammation. Additionally, frequent use of antibiotics can add to the problems by increasing chances for dysbiosis ( the wrong gut bugs in your belly), SIBO ( small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and more.
Proper identification of these issues using state of the art testing, as well as integrative treatment is what will lead to total healing and optimal function of the digestive tract and give your body the strong foundation for health it needs.
Common Issues Treated
- Gas, bloating, cramping
- IBD- Crohn, Ulcerative Colitis
- SIBO- small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Food Allergies/Sensitives