How Functional Medicine Heals The Gut And Puts You On The Path To Optimal Health
When the gut is healthy, so are we. The gut – which is made up of the stomach, small and large intestines, and the rectum – is where 70 percent of the body’s immune cells reside. It’s conclusive that when the gut is unhealthy and the microbiome is out of balance, our bodies become susceptible to ailments from hormone imbalance and inflammation, to diabetes and heart disease. Studies have also shown the link between poor gut health and depression and anxiety. So, what’s a person to do in order to restore gut health?
Learn more about Shakthi’s upcoming event, No Guts, No Glory
At Shakthi, the functional approach we take to restore and maintain a patient’s gut health is unlike traditional medicine. Through diet and lifestyle modifications we show patients a natural way to promote gut health. There is no magic pill that can keep the gut healthy. It all begins with what we put in our bodies.
The functional medicine approach to gut health focuses on the 4Rs: Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate and Regenerate.
- Remove. We know that a plant-based diet, such as legumes, vegetables, fruits and whole grains, provides the body with the fuel it needs to function optimally. Removing bad foods such as saturated fats and processed foods, red meat, eggs, dairy, and sugar is the first step to repairing an unhealthy gut. This removal process is called an elimination diet and is one of the most important steps we take to prepare our patients for better health.
- Replace. Through the elimination diet, the bad gut bacteria is slowly replaced by good bacteria that heals leaky gut syndrome, reduces inflammation, and helps reduce the incidence of chronic disease.
- Re-inoculate. Through the process of elimination and restoring gut health, patients are adding back essential nutrients, fiber, minerals, and good bacteria that help protect the gut. Better dietary choices and a decrease or total elimination of caffeine, alcohol, antibiotics, and over processed foods helps repair damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
- Regenerate. Over time, the good bacteria and microbiome regenerate within the GI tract and optimal gut health and balance is restored. When the gut is healthy, people have more energy and less fatigue, less stress due to the decrease in stress hormones such as cortisol, healthier skin, better sleep patterns, and a reduction in chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, depression, and other diseases linked to obesity).
Learn more about the 4Rs and take the first step to wellness in 2017. Dr. Jyothi Rao will show you the way to optimal gut health and overall wellness.
Attend Shakthi Health & Wellness Center’s special event No Guts, No Glory from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The Common Market Community Room in Frederick, MD. Dr. Rao will discuss the role the GI tract plays in wellness as well as the Functional Medicine approach to gut health through the 4R’s: Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate, Regenerate.
You won’t want to miss this special event.
Sign up today as spots are limited and going fast!
At Shakthi, we provide our patients with the comprehensive, functional approach to health and wellness needed for restored balance and vitality. Call today at 301-703-5067.