Good gut health helps you absorb nutrients, eliminate toxins, and dispose of waste — and a healthy gut can even help you fight off disease. But good gut health isn’t a given. At The Center for Integrative and Functional Health and Wellness in Bloomingdale, Illinois, the integrative medicine practitioners help you improve your gut health and bodywide wellness by making personalized recommendations. Book your appointment online now or call the office for help.

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Gut Health Q&A

What is gut health?

Gut health means the health and function of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your GI tract is a tremendously complex system involving many organs. For these organs to work together at peak efficiency, you need good gut health.

Good gut health relies on the gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of bacterial and fungal organisms that exist within your GI tract. Many of these microorganisms are good for you. They’re, in fact, crucial in maintaining your overall health. Others, however, can have severely damaging effects.

If anything disrupts the delicate balance of your gut microbiome (that collection of bacterial and fungal organisms), you can experience anything from mild symptoms to serious disease. The Center for Integrative and Functional Health and Wellness can help you achieve good gut health and, in turn, better whole-body health.

What are the symptoms of poor gut health?

Poor gut health can cause hundreds of symptoms, the more common including:

  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Restless sleep
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Skin conditions, including rashes
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Some studies indicate that poor gut health can lead to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases like thyroid disease, Type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Research also links some mental health problems to poor gut health.

How do you achieve good gut health?

The first step to restoring your gut health is understanding what problems exist in your gut microbiome. You’ll usually undergo thorough testing to identify the healthy and harmful microorganisms in your gut, your immune and inflammatory markers, and signs of disease.

After extensive lab testing, The Center for Integrative and Functional Health and Wellness can develop a customized gut repair plan for you. They emphasize integrative and holistic care, providing you with several natural approaches to reach your ideal gut health.

Your treatment plan can include nutritional therapy and dietary supplements. It can also incorporate individualized care of problems that arise due to poor gut health.

For example, if you suffer from depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue related to poor gut health, you might benefit from one or more solutions. These include medication management, and psychotherapy as you simultaneously improve your gut health through diet and other changes.

If you’re saddled with a chronic pain-causing condition related to gut health, natural treatments like acupuncture can ease your symptoms as your gut health improves.

With their extensive testing and in-depth individualized treatment plans, The Center for Integrative and Functional Health and Wellness can help you achieve great gut health. Call the office now to make an appointment or schedule one through online booking.