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Points for Wellness
5161 Soquel Dr. Suite C,
Soquel, CA 95073
Phone. 831-475-1055
Optimal Digestive Health
Optimal digestive health is known as the gateway to health
If you have a healthy gut then the chances are that you are in pretty good health. It is imperative that you are able to digest and absorb nutrients well. Assimilation of vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential fatty acids from the foods you eat and the supplements you take is required for optimal health.
Any therapeutic program you may use will be of limited value without good digestive function. If digestive issues are left untreated, it can lead to a host of health problems and has been linked with many autoimmune conditions.
Your body is designed to absorb nutrients in the small intestine, and anything the body does not need moves through to the large intestine and is eventually eliminated. However, if you have low stomach acid, SIBO, Helicobacter pylori or other infections, food intolerances or allergies these can all compromise the intestinal gut barrier which will lead to “leaky gut.”
When your gut is leaky, things like toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and more can escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these “foreign invaders” as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response caused by leaky gut can lead to serous health problems such as autoimmune conditions, diabetes, heart disease, but also headaches, mental health problems, brain fog, arthritis, skin issues and much more.
Other Symptoms of Leaky Gut
- Aches and pains
- Allergies
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Asthma
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Autoimmune disease (lupus, multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes, Hashimoto’s, and more)
- Fatigue (chronic, ME or fibromyalgia)
- Fertility (male and female)
- Headaches & Migraine
- Gastric ulcers
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Celiac disease
- Esophageal and colorectal cancer
- Chronic inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis)
- Thyroid disorders
- Propensity towards weight gain or obesity
How to Identify Gut Infections
When diagnosing gut infections, it is important to identify the cause of the infection. The best way to do this is through comprehensive testing that identifies potential parasites, pathogenic bacteria and yeasts, levels of commensal bacteria and beneficial bacteria, as well as the overall intestinal health. In some cases, we will also include testing for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
Once the health of the gut has been evaluated, we create a comprehensive treatment plan that will removes the stressors creating havoc on the digestive system. Replace the healing ingredients missing from the body required for proper digestion and absorption that may have been depleted or compromised by diet, disease, aging or other factors. Reinoculate with beneficial bacteria by ingesting probiotic foods or supplements that contain the “good” bacteria.
Once the infection, yeast, or parasites have been eradicated we then focus on repairing the lining of the GI tract by supplying key nutrients. Lastly, we will rebalance your system to promote optimal health. This looks at lifestyle choices that contribute to good health: Sleep, exercise, and stress which all affect the GI tract as well as additional strategies to help to boost immunity and help prevent future ill-health. Balancing those activities is important to an optimal digestive tract. There is no one size fits all approach, this process is individualized and catered specifically to you!