Thread by @DrBPHealth

The 3 root causes I see most commonly with patients’ health problems are:

•Increased Systemic Inflammation
•Insulin Resistance
•Gut Dysfunction

These lead to SO many health issues.

Today, I am going to focus on gut dysfunction.

THREAD

Early in clinical practice, I underestimated the importance of proper gut function in human health.

Then, about 16-17 years ago, I had my own gut issues.

I had to figure out for myself how to fix it, because none of the traditional treatments were helping.

A colleague gave me a book by Mark Hyman, M.D.

I read it. It made sense. It “clicked” in my mind’s eye.

I then started down a path of functional medicine to address my own gut and health issues.

Then I started applying the principles with patients. They too saw results.

Hopefully, the below will be able to help you as well!

First, there are some important facts you’ll want to know so you can see how dynamic and important the gut is when it comes to your health.

It is estimated that our bodies are made up of approximately 30 trillion cells.

Our guts alone have an estimated 33-39 trillion bacterial cells!

You are, in truth, more bacterial than human.

The trillions of microbes and colonies located in your gut microbiome are the manufacturers and managers of how you look, feel, and think.

Your gut is responsible for how your body breaks down food, and subsequently how well it absorbs the nutrients to fuel your body (and your metabolism).

Your gut makes up 70-80% of your immune system and produces many of your neurological hormones & neurotransmitters.

In fact, approximately 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut.

Serotonin regulates many body functions, including mood, bowel movements, and sleep among others.

In short, your gut health is a BIG deal!

Unfortunately, many lifestyle behaviors, toxin exposures, and dietary choices can compromise gut health and lead to many downstream health issues.

I would estimate that close to 90% of patients who consult with me for metabolic issues have some type of gut dysfunction symptoms.

Here are the most common gut dysfunction symptoms:

•Discomfort/Pain After Eating
•Bloating
•Excessive Gas
•Constipation
•Diarrhea
•GERD/Reflux/Heart Burn

These symptoms clearly tell us that the gut and gut microbiome are weakened and damaged.

The patients will end up with common diagnoses like:

•IBS
•GERD
•Gastritis
•Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis
•Colitis
•And Many Other GI Diagnoses

What many don’t realize is when your microbiome is weakened or damaged, it can “switch on” a number of disease processes throughout the body.

On the surface, they may seem to have very little to do with your actual gastrointestinal system (your gut).

The following are affected by gut health:

•Heart Disease
•Brain Health
•Immune Health
•Aging
•Breathing Dysfunction
•Autoimmune Conditions
•Skin Conditions
•Weight Gain

Below are 11 items that negatively affect the bacterial colonies and the gut lining, leading to gut dysfunction. Which lead to the above-mentioned symptoms & conditions.

•Ultra-processed foods
•Refined sugars
•Seed oils
•GMOs (glyphosate)
•Some medications
•Environmental toxins
•Herbicides
•Pesticides
•Chronic Stress
•Substantial grain consumption
•Imbalanced blood sugar

Luckily, many of these causes can be addressed with simple dietary and lifestyle changes.

In fact, I have seen significant changes in patients within a few days to a few weeks on not only their gut function, but how they feel overall.

They in turn improve their:

•Metabolism
•Health
•Quality of Life!

On average my patients lose 22.4 lbs. (10.1 kg) in the first 6 weeks that I work with them.

And guess what I focus with them the most on?

Getting their gut functioning correctly & getting it healthy.

When the gut is healthy, the body will most likely be healthy. It’s exactly why I put so much emphasis on it with patients.

Just this week I had a patient who finished his program in my clinic.

When he first came in, every time he ate, he had to go to the bathroom (bowel movement) within 30 minutes or less.

If he didn’t find a bathroom, he was going to have an accident.

This had been going on for years, and it was no way to live.

Within the first 2 weeks this was MASSIVELY improved.

By day 30 he was no longer having any issues.

Fast forward 6 months later, he lost 70+ lbs (32 kg), he has sky high energy, and his gut is working perfect with no bloating or any type of gut symptoms (and no medications).

Why?

Primarily because we got his gut functioning correctly.

To ensure the gut microbiome is healthy, one of the best things you can do is make sure you are getting sufficient amounts of soluble fiber.

Soluble fibers are broken down by the water in the gut.

They help feed and proliferate the gut microbiome and good bacteria.

Soluble fibers are found in vegetables and fruit.

You want to get a minimum of 4 cups per day. Ideally, 6 cups or more.

Consume a 2:1 ratio of vegetables to fruits. And eat a wide variety of colors to maximize nutrients in your body.

The other type of fiber is called insoluble fiber and is found mainly in grains.

Insoluble fiber does not readily break down.

An example is corn, which is technically a grain.

Not to be gross, but this is why you see whole corn kernels pass through the digestive tract and end up recognizable in your toilet.

Here’s what you need to know:

The insoluble fibers of grains do not readily help proliferate the good healthy bacteria as much as soluble fiber.

Many with gut dysfunction symptoms will want to "jump start" their microbiome by inoculating it with a broad spectrum & high-dose probiotic.

This has also been key for my patients getting better.

Tomorrow in my free newsletter I cover the details & guidelines for what kind of probiotic is best to jump-start your gut health.

I also cover which probiotic I personally take.

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