As a functional medicine practitioner, I understand how critical gut health is for achieving optimal well-being. When I worked in conventional medicine, the most common patient complaints involved gastrointestinal (GI) issues like abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating and disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). So many suffer from these digestive problems, yet how we can support gut health is often overlooked.
Let's explore both what damages the gut and strategies to nourish it. Stress negatively impacts not only digestion but also gut bacteria. Medications also commonly dysregulate our microbiome, with antibiotics, NSAIDs, acid blockers, antidiabetics, blood pressure meds and birth control all potentially contributing.
Other gut offenders include artificial sweeteners, processed foods with added sugars/preservatives/emulsifiers and excessive alcohol - all known to damage bacteria and digestive function. An elimination diet can uncover sensitivities to common culprits like gluten, dairy or soy exacerbating inflammation.
So how do we protect and support our gut? Limiting the overuse of potentially harmful medications is wise when possible. It's also beneficial to avoid unnecessary antibiotics by finishing prescribed courses fully. Minimizing artificial sweeteners while reducing or eliminating processed foods can relieve gut stress.
Positive steps you can take include consuming plenty of soluble fiber from fruits, veggies, beans, seeds and legumes to nourish beneficial bacteria. Our healthy gut microbes thrive on this fermentable fiber. Be sure to include healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds and oils to support a balanced microbiome as well.
Incorporating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir infuses your digestive system with probiotic goodness. These cultured options all contain live microorganisms to maintain a balanced inner ecosystem.
Stress management also plays a role, as stress hormones influence bacterial composition. Consider relaxation strategies to reduce everyday tension on your GI tract. My Facebook Community offers gut health challenges to further support your microbiome through targeted nutrition plans and lifestyle tips.
I'm happy to discuss customized functional medicine protocols utilizing supplementation, laboratory testing and personalized wellness modifications. Reaching optimal health first requires a happy, balanced gut. Please reach out to explore how we can work together towards gut - and overall - healing for you.
Book a consultation HERE.
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