Healing Your Gut with Natural Medicine
In today’s health-conscious world, the significance of gut health cannot be overstated. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is not only essential for digestion but also plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. Dr. Joseph Dubroff, a naturopathic doctor at the Akasha Center for Integrated Medicine, provides valuable insights into how natural medicine can effectively address GI health issues.
Why is natural medicine considered effective for GI health? Natural medicine is considered effective because it is generally safe and can be used to match medicines with different physiological functions of the GI tract without causing harmful effects.
What are some key physiological functions of the digestive tract? Some key physiological functions include pancreatic secretions, amylase in the mouth, stomach acid, tight junctions in the gastric membrane, and the role of microvilli in absorption.
How does natural medicine differ from conventional medicine in testing for food sensitivities? Conventional medicine typically tests for strong allergenic tendencies using IG mediated food sensitivities. In contrast, natural medicine uses white blood cells, IGG, and IGA, which can indicate food sensitivities over a longer period (up to 72 hours).
What is the significance of transit time in GI health, and how is it assessed? Transit time is important for understanding how long food takes to move through the digestive system. It is assessed using activated charcoal, which helps determine if the transit time is too long, indicating potential issues like gastroparesis.
What are some natural treatments mentioned for specific GI conditions? For ulcerative colitis, butyrate enemas can help regenerate the lining of the colon. For diverticulosis and diverticulitis, decreasing the pocket size in the colon can reduce infection rates.
What role does diet play in natural medicine for GI health? Diet is a crucial aspect, as knowing which foods help or hinder GI health is essential. Comprehensive assessments of allergenic tendencies and tests like the GI map can provide detailed information about inflammation, parasites, microbiome health, and barrier integrity.
How does intestinal permeability affect overall health? If the intestinal membrane is compromised, larger molecules may pass into the body, triggering immune responses and leading to complications like cognitive dysfunction, skin rashes, and energy issues.
What is the GI map test, and what does it assess? The GI map test provides extensive information on GI health, including inflammation, parasitic infections, microbiome composition, and the integrity of the intestinal barrier.
What is the importance of secretory IGA in GI health? Secretory IGA is part of the immune response in the GI tract, helping to protect against pathogens and maintain gut health.
What are some potential problems with using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux? PPIs can lower stomach acid too much, compromising the ability to break down food and potentially leading to other disease processes. Monitoring the acid-base environment of the stomach is essential when using PPIs.
Are you interested in learning more about natural medicine for GI health? Dr. Dubroff offers a 10-minute complimentary information session at the Akasha Center for Integrated Medicine for those interested in discussing their GI health further.
The Akasha Center looks forward to helping patients achieve better health. If these symptoms are present, please reach out for a consultation.
