about gut health

The gut plays a vital role in overall health. It functions not only as a digestive organ, but also as a key player in immune function, hormonal regulation, neurotransmitter production and mood, skin health and nutrient absorption.

Functional nutrition focuses on optimising gut health to support these essential functions, ultimately promoting overall well-being. Here's how the gut's role intersects with functional nutrition principles

Digestive Health

Functional nutrition emphasizes supporting optimal digestion, absorption, and elimination processes in the gut. This involves consuming a nutrient-dense diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which provide essential nutrients and promote regular bowel movements.

Gut Microbiota Balance

Functional nutrition recognizes the importance of a diverse and balanced gut microbiota for overall health. Probiotic-rich foods, prebiotic fibers, and fermented foods are key components of a gut-friendly diet, helping to nourish beneficial gut bacteria and maintain microbial balance.

Gut Barrier Integrity

The gut lining serves as a protective barrier, regulating the passage of nutrients and preventing the entry of harmful substances into the bloodstream. Functional nutrition supports gut barrier integrity through the consumption of nutrients like glutamine, zinc, and vitamin A, as well as anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Immune Function

Approximately 70% of the body's immune cells reside in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), highlighting the critical role of the gut in immune function. Functional nutrition supports immune health by promoting a healthy gut microbiota, reducing inflammation, and providing essential nutrients for immune cell function.

Hormonal Regulation

The gut produces and responds to various hormones involved in appetite regulation, metabolism, and mood. Functional nutrition focuses on supporting hormonal balance through balanced meals, blood sugar regulation, and the consumption of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin D.

Neurotransmitter Production

The gut-brain axis involves bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, with the gut producing neurotransmitters like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Functional nutrition supports neurotransmitter production by providing precursors like tryptophan and promoting gut health to support optimal neurotransmitter signaling.

Inflammation Management

Chronic inflammation in the gut has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including digestive disorders, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic dysfunction. Functional nutrition emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and omega-3 fatty acids, to help reduce gut inflammation and support overall health.

Healing our gut if often the gateway to better general health, as well as immune, hormonal, skin, thyroid, metabolic and mental health.

conditions supported

• Gas, bloating, discomfort/pain, belching, indigestion

• Reflux, GERD

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD (Chron’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis)

• Chronic constipation and/or diarrhea

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS

• Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth or SIBO

• Intestinal permeability or leaky gut

• Gallbladder and Liver health

• Halitosis or bad breath and more

• Immune Health

• Skin health

• Asthma

• Autoimmunity

functional gut & other testing

Microbiome Testing
The GI Map, GI 360, Microba Map and Nutripath Microbiome Map or CSDA stool testing, screen for pathogenic bacteria, commensal bacteria, opportunistic pathogens, fungi, viruses and parasites that can cause gut dysfunction and health problems. Some of these tests also provide information on gut leakiness, gut inflammation, fat digestion, gluten response and more. This forms the basis of a personalised and targeted protocol to eradicate these and restore gut health and immunity

Food Sensitivity & Allergy testing
Includes ALCAT, IgG, IgA, IgE and more, outlining which foods to avoid while healing your gut and body before beginning a possible reintroduction program

SIBO testing
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth testing is useful when other gut healing has not fully resolved digestive issues

Functional Blood Chemistry
A comprehensive and fresh new look at blood testing to identify developing nutritional deficiencies and disease patterns

Genetic testing
Designed to optimise well-being and health, improve longevity and reduce disease risk by personalising lifestyle and diet choices based on specific gene variants. This can be useful with complex illnesses when married with other testing to see which genes are expressing and need to be turned off

Other testing
Also available, including Thyroid, Hormone & Adrenal, OAT, OMX, Mycotoxin, Marcons and more

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