When people think of "the gut" they often just think about colonoscopies, reflux, and antacids. But the gut is much more than that! A healthy gut is the foundation of overall health. It is home to most of our immune system and to the majority of our microbiome (all the organisms that live in us and on us), and is interconnected with all systems of the body. The gut produces and absorbs nutrients, secretes hormones, and makes neurotransmitters. These substances affect every other organ and system in the body, so what happens in the gut has a major impact on the rest of the body.

If the gut is inflamed (from certain foods or toxic substances), not functioning well, or if the microbiome is out of balance, the result can be "leaky gut." This is a breakdown in the normal gut lining and communication system, so that molecules that should stay in the gut are actually slipping through and causing confusion in the immune system. This can trigger immune cells to then attack not only foreigners, but "self" cells, and this "attack on self" is autoimmunity. A high sugar/high glycemic load (foods like processed grains that quickly turn into sugar) diet, processed foods, dairy, and gluten are common foods that can cause inflammation in the gut.

The functional medicine approach to helping heal the gut is the "5R" approach: Remove problematic foods, substances, and harmful bacteria or yeast overgrowth. Replace things that may be deficient, such as digestive enzymes, stomach acid. Repair with nutrients that help heal the gut such as zinc, vitamin A, glutamine, curcumin. Reinoculate, re-introduce beneficial bacteria with probiotics. And lastly, Rebalance with sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle factors that influence gut health. Your gut is crucial to your health and well-being, so give your gut a lot of TLC by making healthy lifestyle choices, and working with your provider on a gut healing program if needed.

Monica Eggleston, ARNP, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner board certified in family practice. She treats adults and children of all ages with a functional medicine approach at Lakeside Holistic Health. Information: www.lakesideholistic.com or (208) 758-0568