Gut Health
The Gut, essentially is the core of life, as it sustains lifeforce through the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food sources. Modern research has also demonstrated the gut’s importance in maintaining: microbial balance, immune function, brain health, mood regulation, and so on.
At Zimmermann Modern Wellness, we place an emphasis on gut health as we recognize its vast role in overall health.
What is Gut
Dysbiosis?
Gut dysbiosis occurs when there is a disproportionate amount of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and/or parasites within the gut’s flora. This overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms crowds out beneficial flora, induces inflammation, and damages the GI tract’s protective barrier.
What is
“Leaky Gut”?
“Leaky Gut” occurs when the gut’s protective barrier composed of tight gap junctions becomes more porous. Essentially, the junctions that are supposed to be tightly knit together become loose, allowing particles to escape into systemic circulation. When food antigens, bacterial toxins, and other particulates escape, the immune system gets involved causing immunological imbalance.
Gut Imbalance:
Symptoms
Oftentimes, gut symptoms manifest due to disturbances in the gut’s flora and protective barrier.
Acid reflux
Abdominal
bloating
abdominal
discomfort
skin issues
(acne, eczema)
belching/
flatulence
constipation/
diarrhea
food
sensitivities
allergies
fatigue/ low
energy
Gut Conditions We Treat
Candida, an opportunistic yeast, that normally inhabits the gastrointestinal tract overgrows due to disturbances in the gut’s ecosystem. This condition typically arises after the use of antibiotics, with excessive sugar consumption, and/or with heavy exposure to environmental pesticides.
This condition occurs with bacterial overgrowth in the Small Intestine, which is normally pretty sterile. As food digestion and nutrient absorption take place in the Small Intestine, bacteria in this section of the intestine can cause malabsorption, excessive gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort as they “eat” the nutrients.
Gastrointestinal parasites such as Giardia, Helminths, and Liver Flukes are common in today’s landscape. Likelihood of the presence of gut parasites increases with: travel, pets, and consuming unclean water or foods.
This bacterial imbalance occurs in Large Intestine (colon) usually due to: antibiotic use, toxins, and/or poor diet. This pathogenic bacterial overgrowth can cause inflammatory gut conditions such as ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and/or IBD.
This condition occurs when the GI tract’s protective barrier becomes loose, allowing particles to escape into the bloodstream. When food antigens, toxins, and other particles enter systemic circulation- it elicits an inflammatory and/ or autoimmune response.
Gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and/ or IBD are typically the end product of the above gut imbalances.
Common Gut
Triggers
While gut triggers can be unique to the patient, these common exposures have been found to disturb both the gut’s lining and microbiome
pesticides/
herbicides
prolonged
antibiotics
gluten
vegetable/
seed oils
refined
sugars
alcohol
Gut
infections
Processed
foods
Nsaids
The
Gut-Immune
Connection
Gut health is innately intertwined with the body’s overall immune system. This is because the GI tract houses an incredible amount of immune tissue known as the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). This immuno-protective tissue guards against foreign antigens and pathogens from anything we consume orally. Unfortunately, when gut health is in a suboptimal state with dysbiosis and inflammation, the immune system can be compromised. When we optimize the gut, we optimize our immune health as well!
Diagnosing Gut
Disorders: Testing
We diagnose gut health differently at Zimmermann Modern Wellness. We don’t aim for a standard medical diagnosis such as IBD or diverticulitis, we get to the core of why the gut dysfunction is occurring. For example, one patient’s IBD might be due to multiple food sensitivities while another patient’s same IBD diagnosis might be caused by bacterial overgrowth. In this instance, these two patients would have vastly different treatment plans to target their IBD. This is because we focus on the root causes of gut dysfunction whether it be bacterial imbalance, GI parasites, food intolerances, and/or motility issues.
At Zimmermann Modern Wellness, we utilize the latest and most accurate gut health labs to ensure proper diagnosis for our patients. Some of these labs include:
- GI MAP stool culture
- Alletess food sensitivity testing
- Micronutrient testing
- Parasite stool culture
- SIBO breath testing
- “Leaky Gut” markers
Optimizing Gut Health:
The ZMW Protocol
1. Remove Pathogens
The first step in any gut healing protocol is to remove the pathogens wreaking havoc in the gut microbiome. Pathogens are discerned through stool cultures. We typically utilize antimicrobial herbal protocols to: break down biofilms, eliminate harmful microorganisms, and clear the endotoxins that the pathogens release.
2. Repair the Gut Lining
As the gut’s protective lining is often damaged as a result of dysbiosis, the next step is to repair. Reparative substances are supplemented to assist the GI tract with repair work. Once a healthy and optimal barrier is restored, the gut can effectively carry out its functions of digestion and absorption.
3. Repopulate the Microbiome
If the gut’s microbiome is deficient in certain commensal bacterial strains, this step is the time to re-inoculate. Stool testing can pinpoint which beneficial bacterial strains are absent or in abnormally low levels. Medical grade probiotics and probiotic rich foods might be recommended to optimize the gut’s microbiome.
4. Restore Digestion
The last step in the gut healing protocol is to maximize nutrient absorption. Typically, with the aforementioned steps, digestion is now operating more efficiently. However, if there are still gaps in the digestive functions, supplements that stimulate and assist digestion can be given.
Our Treatment Superstars
Herbal medicines are utilized as a potent tool to remove gut pathogens. Bioactive plant constituents can effectively dissolve microbial biofilms, target the pathogenic microorganisms, and assist in removing toxins. Because herbs contain multiple biochemicals, pathogens are less likely to become resistant to treatment.
Supplements that support digestive processes such as bile acids, bitters, digestive enzymes may be utilized to aid digestion during the treatment process. Oftentimes, they alleviate digestive discomfort and help with nutrient absorption as we rectify the underlying issue.
Once gut pathogens are cleared, medical grade probiotics might be added into a treatment plan if there are microbiome deficiencies. Often, we like to rotate different strains and brands of probiotics to ensure maximum gut flora diversity.
Medical grade herbal binders may be given to bind to and eliminate bacterial endotoxins from circulation. This ensures the effects of bacterial die-off will be lessened. Activated charcoal, zeolite, apple pectin, humic and fulvic acids - all are key binders that have incredible binding capacities.
Based on food sensitivity and micronutrient testing, nutritional recommendations and/ or elimination diets may be recommended. Typically, once the gut protocol is complete, triggering foods can be re-introduced one at a time.
Sequences of amino acids, peptides are the fundamental building blocks of proteins that carry out numerous bodily functions. BPC-157 (body protective compound) is a healing peptide found in gastric juice and can be utilized to heal the lining of the GI tract.
Are you ready to begin your journey to wellness and feel your best?
Reach out to our team at Zimmermann Modern Wellness to get your personalized treatment plan today.