Broken Metabolism? It Could Be Your Gut.
Are you trying to get answers to what you feel is a broken metabolism?
While many factors play into metabolic health, research shows that one critical factor is GUT health.
YOUR GUT & YOUR HEALTH
It’s a common misconception that the only signs of poor gut health are digestive problems, like gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.
Research has shown that gut health is linked to many aspects of our overall health and well-being, including hormonal balance, immune function, inflammation, mental health, and more!
Problems in the gut can cause or aggravate a myriad of symptoms outside the digestive tract, such as:
▪️ Food Sensitivities
▪️ Skin Irritations
▪️ Hunger & Cravings
▪️ Mood Changes
▪️ Brain Fog
This is why Functional Medicine physicians (like myself) follow this key principle:
✨ START WITH THE GUT ✨
Optimizing gut health can have a powerful effect on many of the most common health issues, which makes this a great place to start for those seeking improved health and well-being.
THREE WAYS THAT GUT HEALTH AFFECTS YOUR METABOLISM
1️⃣ Appetite
Specific microbes in your gut regulate gut hormone levels, like peptides YY and GLP-1, which communicate with the brain and affect appetite and fullness.
2️⃣ Fat Storage
Some gut microbes increase the absorption of glucose (sugar) from the intestines - promoting weight gain, blood sugar dysregulation, and fat deposition in the liver.
3️⃣ Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of metabolic dysfunction and can be driven by inflammation in the gut.
SUPPORT YOUR GUT TO FIX YOUR METABOLISM
Here are three easy steps you can take to support gut health, and, in turn, support your metabolism.*
1️⃣ Add Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms found in fermented foods and probiotic supplements.
While the methods by which probiotics affect metabolism and body weight aren’t yet fully understood - both human and animal studies have found that moderate-weight people have different gut bacteria than those with overweight or obesity. Specific probiotic species are known to influence appetite and energy regulation, reduce inflammation, and reduce the absorption of dietary fat.
2️⃣ Try an Elimination Diet
I have found elimination diets to be one of the most powerful tools for health in my practice. Specifically in the gut - eliminating certain foods (like gluten, sugar, and highly processed foods) decreases inflammation, which allows the gut to heal. Additionally, a healthy gut microbiome can be rebuilt by eating healthy whole foods, especially those high in protein, phytonutrients, probiotics, and prebiotic fibers.
3️⃣ Consider a Gut Microbiome Cleanse
I frequently prescribe a gut microbiome cleanse as a starting point for patients seeking a metabolism boost. This type of program combines the elimination of potential trigger foods with products designed to support healthy gut microbial balance, the removal of toxins from the gut, reduced gut inflammation, and a healthy gut lining.
Are you ready to heal your gut? Let’s explore how you might benefit from targeted assessments and customized protocols to heal your gut and support optimal metabolism and well-being.
Contact us to schedule an appointment or learn more!
*These recommendations should not be interpreted as personalized medical advice. Consult your healthcare practitioner to discuss which recommendations are appropriate for you.