Sacramento gut health expert, Sacramento Functional Medicine use functional medicine to balance gut microbiomes and restore sustainable optimal gut health to patients in Placer County.

Often overlooked or brushed off is the delicate balance in the ever-changing microbiome that is our gut. Continued research on our gut and its processes have led to the discovery of just how influential the bacterium in our gut is on our health. Gut bacteria play a role in heart and kidney health, in mood and brain function, in our weight management and more!

As an expert in gut health Sacramento Functional Medicine is able to educate Sacramento clients about the most up-to-date information, helping them develop dietary and lifestyle changes for better overall health and happiness.

Call (916) 252-3228 today to speak with Sacramento gut health expert, Sacramento Functional Medicine. Schedule your consultation and discover how a balanced gut can improve your life!

Symptoms of Poor Gut Health

Serotonin is the hormone that regulates your sleeping cycles, and the majority of it is a product of your gut. When there is an imbalance in the bacteria of your gut or so much inflammation it isn’t able to produce hormones regularly, you experience a dip in this sleep aid.

Many of us as children heard our parents say “no sugar/caffeine before bed”, turns out they might have been onto something, because those quick acting substances like caffeine and sugar can quickly throw off your gut biome and prevent you from the restful sleep you need.

Are you familiar with the experience of a “gut feeling”? When something isn’t quite right and your gut knows it before your head, only then are you able to act on it? Maybe it’s felt like butterflies in the stomach when you’ve held hands for the first time, or a knot in the pit of your stomach before meeting with your boss. These are ways that your gut and brain are connected. Whether it’s your brain wrapping itself around a stressful situation, or your gut telling you something before you’ve figured it out, they work in tandem.

It stands to reason, then, that your gut would be responsive to the feelings in your headspace and, vice versa, your psychological well being would be altered by imbalanced or unhealthy gut bacterium. It’s a vicious cycle, but it can be helped.

When particularly harmful bacteria enter our gut through foods or liquids that we’ve consumed, we are open to any number of illnesses: some of these are acute and go away quickly, such as food poisoning or gastroenteritis. These illnesses usually go away on their own, though, in rare severe cases, may require antibiotics. Whether you’ve received medication, or it’s run its course naturally, you can trust that your gut biome has been altered.

In very serious cases, gut health can have detrimental long-term effects on our body and produce a chronic condition such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), diabetes, and cancer. Having a comprehensive test done to navigate the bacterium in your gut will allow our experts to help you create a plan to rebalance your gut biome and can help you restore your health in a natural and safe way.

Do you ever get the feeling like no matter what you eat or how hard you work out, you aren’t seeing the weight changes that you were hoping for? There may be more to it than just a caloric deficit and weightlifting!

Researchers from all over are dedicating their careers to studying the intricacies of the gut biome and its effect on what foods and nutrients are being absorbed and how that may change from person to person. While there is still a lot left to be investigated, we do see that there are correlations between gut bacteria and weight.

There is a solid link that connects atopic dermatitis to unhealthy gut microbiomes. There are a number of factors that may influence which bacteria are present and lacking, such as antibiotics and medications, lifestyle behaviors like diet, whether or not you smoke, and how much sun you receive. Your gut works with your immune responses to eliminate threats.

When your gut is imbalanced, your immune system also begins to fail, so when bad bacteria make their way into your system and your body can’t fight them off, they may appear as acne, eczema, and other skin irritations.

The bacteria in your gut can be the cause of mild bowel irritations such as diarrhea or constipation, but may also factor into more major health concerns such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. When harmful bacteria enter your gut, they are usually pushed out, but too much and your gut will begin to have difficulty in digesting and expelling the waste, making the problem worse.

One poor trip to the restroom isn’t a big cause for concern, but when you begin to notice a serious disruption in your body’s typical cycle, it may be time to start looking at your gut.

Bloating and gas are normal on occasion, but consistent feelings of discomfort and tightness may become cause for serious concern. Not only can bloating affect your gut and vice versa, it can affect your mood and confidence as well, which never helps the situation.

Bloating, poor digestion, heartburn and indigestion (which create burning sensations in the stomach, chest, and throat) may be indicative of a problematic diet, a stomach malfunction, or imbalanced digestive enzymes.

As recently as 2019 a team of researchers discovered evidence demonstrating a positive effect of probiotics on the symptoms of migraines. It was shown that the severity, frequency, and duration of migraines could be alleviated by the introduction of more gut-friendly probiotics.

Who would have guessed that sauerkraut and kimchi would help a headache better than dark chocolate and a coffee?

It should come as no surprise that what you eat and how your gut responds can have a hefty impact on your mental health. Research has shown a clear link between gut bacteria and your feelings of depression and anxiety and, likewise, your depression and anxiety can further stress out your gut.

While it may feel like a losing battle, these symptoms are cause for hope! They may help indicate the problem and, therefore, alleviated with a few simple and sustainable lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help run tests regarding your gut and discover what foods are causing the inflammation.

What Are The Benefits Of A Balanced Gut?

Balancing the biome of your gut creates a domino effect that can promote total health and wellness for multiple functions in your body. Patients who have healed their gut biomes can experience the benefits of:

  • A stronger immune system
  • Elevated mood and energy
  • Boosted digestion and metabolism
  • Improved cognitive function
  • Better brain and heart health
  • More restful sleep
  • Clearer skin
  • Diminished cravings
  • Fewer stomach upsets
  • Feeling less bloated

Some of the added benefits are long term and preventative such as:

  • Better blood sugar regulation and lower risk of diabetes
  • Lowering the risk of certain cancers

The trend today seems to be living healthier, more active lifestyles which can not only help your gut health but can be improved by a balanced gut. If you’re looking to drastically change how you look and feel, then gut health expert, Sacramento Functional Medicine can help you discover sustainable changes for enhancing your overall vitality!

How Do I Know If I Have Poor Gut Health?

The best way to understand your gut health is by discussing your options with a medical professional. They may recommend a microbiome test using a stool sample or another method. However, key indicators of poor gut health can be tracked by taking note of:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sugar Cravings
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Frequent or painful bloating
  • Skin irritations
  • Food allergies
  • Unexplained fatigue or lethargy
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Unexplained weight fluctuations

Another indicator of poor gut health could be a chronic autoimmune disorder such as thyroid imbalances, type 1 diabetes and arthritis or a functional bowel disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Generally, if you are feeling less than your best, or know you could be performing better, then diet and gut health is a great place to start. Gut health experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine offer education and plans for sustainable lifestyle alterations to help Sacramento men and women smash through the barriers of poor gut health and get them back to feeling their best.

What Can I Do To Improve My Gut Health?

Beginning to heal your gut’s microbiome can be an easy and fulfilling way to begin your journey back to a healthier lifestyle. Some easy changes you can make today are:

Eat a healthy diet: focusing on eating nutritious foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and refined carbs. Your gut also loves healthy fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, and, of course, yogurt with lots of probiotics.

Practice good dental hygiene: your mouth is the gateway to your stomach, and the bad bacteria that is found in your pearly whites can make its way to your gut and wreak havoc. Keeping your teeth clean by brushing and flossing and scheduling regular cleanings can do wonders for your gut and, as an added bonus, for your smile!

Staying hydrated: your body is composed of 50-60% water so it stands to reason that your body operates best when it has plenty to work with. A healthy amount of water is wonderful for flushing toxins, improving bowel functions, keeping your mouth clean, and boosting your digestive and organ functions, all of which are helpful to your gut’s biome.

Exercising regularly: even if it’s only getting in your daily steps, a healthy workout routine can do wonders for your gut by helping with the digestion of your meals, releasing toxins through your sweat, fighting off inflammation, and more. It’s not bad for your waistline either!

Sacramento Gut Health Treatment

Feeling Off? Go with your Gut!

Call (916) 252-3228 to speak with digestive health and wellness expert, Sacramento Functional Medicine and schedule your consultation today!