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Gastrointestinal dysfunctions are the most overlooked and mismanaged disorders in healthcare today.  

• Traditional healthcare providers are not trained to diagnose and manage functional GI patterns or provide adequate lifestyle and dietary support.
  
  
• Most alternative healthcare providers recognize GI dysfunction but focus on the colon where absorption occurs and ignore the upper portion of the digestive tract where physical and chemical digestion< occur.
  
  
• The Most Advanced Stool Profiles use DNA analysis to identify microbiota including anaerobes, a previously immeasurable area of the gut environment. DNA assessment is specific and accurate, avoids the pitfalls of sample transport, reports results as specific numbers, and is more sensitive than classic laboratory methods. An expert diagnostician will understand and utilize DNA analysis to help determine your treatment plan.

How Do Gastrointestinal Problems Occur?

Digestion begins in the mouth and improper chewing leads to foods being swallowed without being broken down or adequately mixed with salivary juices.   Inadequate chewing does not stimulate the gastric secretions (stomach acid) necessary for the chemical breakdown of the food.   Large food particles then begin to putrefy which can stimulate a Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) response, creating food sensitivities.   Deficient stomach acid and gastric juices leads to inadequate chemical breakdown of food and inadequate release of pancreatic enzymes.   This equates to incomplete digestion for this stage of the digestive process.

The inadequate breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins results in the failure of the body to obtain nourishment.   This dysfunction also offers a buffet of food particles that can result in a bacterial, Candida, yeast, and/or fungal overgrowth.  Food putrefaction and fermentation causes abdominal distention, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation and a feeling of malaise.  Degradation of the intestinal brush-border with blunting of the micro-villi that line the stomach and intestinal tract can result, often leading to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Gas formation in the gut causes unsynchronized contractions.   This depletes serotonin reserves in the stomach, leading to altered moods and inadequate bowel contractions.   95% of the neurotransmitters responsible for mood are formed in the stomach so it's easy to see how gastrointestinal upset can affect mood.   If gas is formed faster than it can be absorbed and eliminated, it can create alterations in smooth muscle tissue, causing the abdomen to expand, putting pressure on the heart.   This is can also result in raising blood pressure.

Proper digestion is foundational to good health so unless you address these issues, it will be difficult for you to break out of the vicious cycles you may be in and get on the path to optimal wellness. Gastrointestinal problems can cause much distress and can lead to even more serious disorders.   Let Wellness Alternatives help you determine how to best address your gastrointestinal problems—please call us today.