Digestive Health
A Natural Approach To Digestive Health in Nacogdoches, TX
What is leaky gut syndrome?
A major cause of disease and dysfunction in modern society. Research has shown that up to 50% of chronic complaints in the U.S. can be linked back to leaky gut.
Some examples of digestive issues that may require an in-depth look at other areas of health include:
Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Disease, Leaky Gut Syndrome, a Microbiome Imbalance, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, and more.
Symptoms of these and many other issues can also include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, acid reflux, and new food allergies. However, it is vital to look beyond the labels and identify the underlying mechanisms that are out of balance leading to symptoms manifesting.
One of the most common questions we get about how to find those mechanisms in digestive health is:
What causes leaky gut?
- Food Allergies, Sensitivities & Intolerances - This seems to be a recurring theme with a lot of health challenges & THIS is WHY I am a fan of testing when elimination diets are not working! We need to remove foods that are harming your intestinal lining and ultimately causing an immune reaction. Just as we must stop adding fuel to a fire, we have to stop adding things which lead to an activation of the immune system.
- Stress - Elevated stress hormones put a complete stop to digestion since your body diverts the blood flow from the GI tract for you to deal with the stressor (work, relationships, finances - whatever your stressors may be). They also put an extra burden on our detox system since even our hormones must be detoxed out of our body.
- Incomplete Chewing - While this seems so simple, it can have an enormous impact on our digestive health. Incomplete chewing allows larger than normal proteins into the bloodstream. Which is not where they are meant to be! These proteins can then lead to activating our immune response along with inflammation.
- Low Levels of Pancreatic Enzymes - Digestive Enzymes are so important & are imperative in the digestive process. Once you have intestinal permeability this will only worsen the issue.
- Dysbiosis - Having an imbalance in the microbiome will weaken your GI system, making it less effective, prone to inflammation, and weakening your natural defense system.
- Large meals - Overeating will overwhelm your digestive system.
- Medications - Prescription antibiotics are indiscriminate killers - they kill the good AND the bad. Frequent use of NSAIDS such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve etc. can often damage the gut lining.
- Alcohol - Alcohol compromises gut health, particularly on an empty stomach. Alcohol abuse makes people much more susceptible to a compromised gut.
"Unknown Cause"
This is where most of those who come to me are. They have been to countless other providers and have explored all of the "common" reasons and are left without answers. This is why I do what I do! In order for us to tap into our innate healing system we have to go beyond the common way of looking for clues to why there is an imbalance. There are so many stones left un-turned by the conventional approaches, and sadly by many natural approaches. We must look at the big picture if we are going to get to the root cause(s) and support the body so it can win the battle which has lead to a manifestation of symptoms. For this to happen we have to continually ask the question - Why? Why is the body responding in this way?
What is the Solution to Leaky Gut?
This is the other question we are asked on a regular basis. While an individual approach is best, there is a core foundation for tapping into the healing power of our body. It is a simple 3-step process:
- Remove triggers, such as harmful foods.
- Implement a customized strategy based on clues from history, lab tests, and even our genetics!
- Supplement when needed. (Keyword when!)
The easiest way to do this is through an elimination diet but, there are limitations to that. Many foods will have a delayed reaction which can make it difficult to pinpoint which food or foods are problematic. Which is why I often suggest looking into dietary antigen and food sensitivity testing if an elimination diet has not resulted in a reduction of symptoms such as skin issues, bloating, constipation, and neurological imbalances such as depression or anxiety.
Holistic Approach to Heal Your Gut
To develop a strategy requires looking at the body holistically and natural ways to support healing. Again, removing stressors and triggers is key. The most overlooked areas are those which pertain to the basics of digestion. When we start at the top and work our way down it is much easier to identify where the roadblocks are in the digestive tract. As we support those areas we tap into the power of our body to heal!
As for supplements for digestive issues, leaky gut, IBS, Crohn's, and such, it really needs to be an individual approach and to only supplement when needed and for very specific purposes.
At The Functional Perspective, we collaborate with a select group of health providers across the country to help you get to the true root cause of your adverse GI health. When dealing with a compromised digestive system, now is not the time for a one size fits all approach which is why we offer a complimentary strategy session to ensure our individual approach is a good fit for you.
Our functional health trained team is here and ready to discuss the symptoms and causes of your digestive health problems. Together we can map out an effective action plan. We will look at areas such as nutritional issues, toxic exposures, a gluten allergy, or inflammation and the most important area of all: Stress.
Our team will help guide you in restoring your health as quickly as possible before any damage to digestive organs occurs.
If you have been experiencing symptoms that may be connected with digestive problems and are looking for answers, schedule an appointment with The Functional Perspective today!
History Gathering
Gathering a health history is key to collecting valuable clues to why symptoms are manifesting. In order to get to the underlying root as to why there is a chronic health situation one must become a health detective.
Identify Pathogens & Triggers
There are two types of an immune response: Innate and Adaptive. It is important to determine if the symptoms are driven by the innate response, adaptive response, or BOTH!
Test, Don't Guess
This is where it is important to look at all the clues to the puzzle. Most symptoms can have multiple causes, and most causes can manifest as multiple symptoms. Because our body is complex and everything is connected in some form or fashion, it is important to have an understanding of what is going on biochemically to assist the body where needed, and to avoid getting in it's way where not needed
Ready to get started taking back your health?
Book a complimentary strategy call today!
Some of the best tests are the most simple tests. We always like to get as many clues as we can from general blood chemistry however, many times the clues from that point to something bigger under the surface which leads us to looking into functional health tests. Such as...
The GI-Map Comprehensive Stool Analysis
This is one of our favorite tests for delving into bacterial and lower bowel imbalances. This test gives a great overview of pathogens, digestive and inflammation markers, including the gold-standard calprotectin.
Great Plains Organic Acids Test
While the GI Map stool analysis is great at delving into what is going on in the digestive tract, the OAT can give us more insights to other pieces of the puzzle. The GPL test is great for getting markers such as: Oxalates, Fungal, Mold, Nutritional Status, Detox Burden, and Neurotransmitter Metabolites.
As with any test, it is important to look at the results in context and to have a good understanding of biochemistry and a good grasp on identifying patterns and clues about the processes under the surface.
MEET YOUR TEAM
With a shared passion Salena joined together with other likeminded health professional to bring you a successful gut healing program centered around an investigative, holistic approach to supporting your body's natural ability to heal.
Salena Rothenberger
After 4 miscarriages then her oldest child being diagnosed with a life-long autoimmune condition she went head first into functional and natural approaches to health.
Her mission has become sharing the information she has learned to heal her child from his many chronic illnesses to empower others so they too can regain their health.
FIONA MAO
Upon coming against roadblocks and lack of answers to her children's adverse health, one non-verbal and the other with chronic eczema. Fiona sought answers outside of mainstream medicine.
It was with a functional approach that she was able to heal her children and her once non-verbal child now speaks up a storm! Her mission is to empower other mothers with the information they need to regain their and their children's health.
Looking to connect with someone who "gets it"?
The philosophy at The Functional Perspective is... look not for someone to solve your problems, rather,
someone who will face them along side of you
Book a complimentary call if you are ready for a wellness partner who has been in your shoes and ready to guide and support you in regaining your vitality!
Headquarters at:
1329 N. University Drive
Suite F1
Nacogdoches, TX 75961
Phone: 936.463.0272
Serving East Texas in: Longview, TX and Lufkin, TX as well as Denver, Colorado | Florida | Indianapolis, Indiana | Montana | Akron, Ohio
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