Gut Health

Struggling with Digestive Issues?

What Happens in Your Gut Can Affect Your Whole Body. Learn more by watching this video approved by our gut health specialist and functional medicine doctor in Concord, MA, Dr. Sarah Williams.

As the gateway to optimal health and wellness, the gut helps regulate many body functions, including immune function. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract digests and absorbs food and helps maintain balance of bacteria. It also maintains a barrier against harmful toxins that threaten your health. The GI tract contains several pillars that support your overall health and wellness. If one pillar breaks down through illness or imbalance, it affects your health. Frequent GI issues can result in acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, autoimmune issues, and more. 

Functional medicine focuses on identifying the root cause that breaks down the pillars of GI health and the reason is different for each person. This healthcare approach looks at each body system and addresses the connection between each one to encourage overall recovery and prevent further health issues. This means laying a solid foundation for gut function by examining the pillars of GI, which include:

• Digestion and absorption
• Elimination and detoxification
• Microbial balance
• Gut barrier function

Nutritional deficiencies, environmental issues, medications, genetics, stress, and  other lifestyle choices can disrupt the pillars of GI health. Distributions can prevent the GI tract from eliminating toxins, which triggers imbalance and other digestive issues. A compromised gut barrier can affect immunity, making the body susceptible to numerous illnesses and diseases. 

Your health and wellness begins in your gut. Through balanced nutrition, diet, exercise, and avoiding food triggers, you can heal and maintain the gut barrier and promote optimal health and wellness. These steps will boost microbial balance for health and vitality and balance your entire GI system for optimal wellness.