How Functional Medicine Can Address Intestinal Dysbiosis

For many people with chronic illnesses, the road to recovery begins with healing the gut.

Functional medicine practitioners often focus on addressing dysbiosis, or an imbalance of gut bacteria, which can lead to a variety of problems, including inflammation, impaired immune function, and damage to the intestinal barrier.

Dysbiosis has been linked to a number of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis. In many cases, addressing dysbiosis can help to improve the symptoms of these diseases.

How does dysbiosis lead to chronic disease?

Proinflammatory signaling and bacterial translocation are two mechanisms by which dysbiosis can contribute to disease.

Proinflammatory signaling occurs when the body mounts an inflammatory response to something that is not actually harmful.

This can happen when the gut bacteria are imbalanced and produce substances that trigger the inflammatory response. This inflammation can damage the intestinal barrier and allow bacteria to translocate into the bloodstream.

Bacterial translocation occurs when bacteria from the gut get into places they shouldn’t be, such as the bloodstream. This can happen when the integrity of the gut barrier is impaired. When bacteria translocate, they can trigger an immune response and lead to inflammation.

The microbiome may also play a role in other diseases such as Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis.

 

How can functional medicine help address intestinal dysbiosis?

Functional medicine practitioners take a holistic approach to health and healing. This means that they look at the whole person, not just the symptoms of a disease. They also consider the root cause of a problem and the interconnectedness of different body systems.

This comprehensive approach can be beneficial in addressing intestinal dysbiosis. By looking at the whole person, functional medicine practitioners can identify factors that may be contributing to dysbiosis.

These factors can include diet, stress, medications, and underlying health conditions. Once these factors are identified, functional medicine professionals can design a treatment plan to address them.

Diet is one of the most critical factors in gut health. Functional medicine practitioners often recommend dietary changes such as eliminating processed foods, eating more fiber, and avoiding trigger foods.

In some cases, a functional medicine doctor may recommend probiotics and other supplements to help restore balance in the gut. Medications may also be necessary to treat underlying conditions that are contributing to dysbiosis.

Learn more with Internal Healing and Wellness – The Woodland’s Leading Functional Medicine Practice

If you are struggling with chronic illness, functional medicine may be able to help. At Internal Healing and Wellness, we take a holistic approach to health and healing. We offer comprehensive care that includes testing, dietary counseling, and supplements.

Dr. Khan and the Woodlands team at Internal Healing and Wellness are passionate about helping people achieve their health goals. With expertise in functional medicine and integrative health, we can help you get to the root cause of your problem and improve your overall health.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how we can help you heal your gut and improve your overall health – you have nothing to lose but your symptoms!