Heal Your Leaky Gut

The gut lining serves as a physical barrier, preventing potentially harmful substances, pathogenic microorganisms, and undigested proteins from entering the body. This multifunctional organ contains a significant amount of immune tissue, produces protective antibodies and plays a role in detoxification.

A healthy GI tract and gut lining is crucial to maintaining our health and well-being. Permeability is key to the function of the GI tract; it must be permeable enough to allow vital nutrients through, but not so permeable that it allows unwanted substances to get absorbed.

The cells that line the gut divide rapidly, and the entire GI epithelium is continually replaced every three to six days. This fundamental process requires a significant amount of energy and nutrients as well as a balanced and thriving “flora” of beneficial microorganisms.

It is estimated that 60-80% of the immune system lives in the gut, and it’s called the GALT or Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue. The gut is also called the second brain, and it actually has as many if not more neurons than the brain. This nervous system of the gut is called the enteric nervous system, and it produces more serotonin than the brain. Research shows that over 60% of patients’ symptoms and nearly 100% of all chronic diseases have a direct correlation to GI dysfunction. Our diet, the contamination of our food and water, toxins and pesticides, and the overuse of antibiotics have created a situation where most all patients have some level of gut dysfunction and/or Leaky Gut.

As a Functional Medicine doctor, I’m constantly looking for the underlying Root Cause of a patient’s health challenges. And while symptoms and diagnoses are important, treating symptoms and the typical “naming and blaming diseases” of traditional medicine is of little help to YOU, the patient. Healthy digestion, assimilation, absorption and elimination, however, are imperative for each and every one of us, no matter what the diagnosis.
This is why part of my 6-Step Protocol is to heal the gut. To do this effectively, I constantly review the latest research to understand which complementary blend of nutrients, herbs, and probiotics offer the best clinical results. I’m constantly refining a long list of supplements and nutrients with an emphasis on restoring gut health, gut integrity and gut healthy bacteria (the microbiome). Things like digestive enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics to aid digestion, as well as establish and maintain healthy bowel flora. I utilize a full line of plant and animal based digestive enzymes, because every patient and circumstance is unique. I also utilize functional lab testing such as comprehensive stool analysis, organic acid testing and allergy/sensitivity testing to further tailor our program to your specific needs.

Proper nutritional intervention supports the oral cavity, the stomach, the small and large intestines and the gut microbiome in order to promote gut restoration. This is instrumental in health, healing and the functioning of all of the systems of the body.

I have successfully treated thousands of patients and utilized hundreds of different nutritional products in my 22+ years of practice. And, I have come to realize that some products work, many do not work and even do harm — and then there are the “Rock Star” formulas that I could not be without. When my patients’ health and my professional reputation depend upon getting great results, I don’t leave those results to chance. At this time, some of my favorite formulas are from Standard Process, Metagenics and Apex Energetics – all clinical grade supplements. They have the right synergistic blend of nutrients and cofactors like nature intended. They contain clinical amounts of the key nutrients to be effective in this modern environment of stress and toxic exposure. I feel their purity, potency and delivery systems are unsurpassed anywhere.