Gastrointestinal Health

The health of your gut is vital to your overall health and well-being.

Aside from its role in the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste, the gastrointestinal system is also critical to:

1. The strength of the immune system

2. Modulation of inflammation

3. Synthesis of vitamins and neurotransmitters

4. Regulation of hormones

5. Metabolic health

A healthy gut is comprised of a healthy gut lining as well as a diverse array of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms. This is collectively known as the microbiome. Everyone’s microbiome is unique, like a fingerprint. When one has an imbalance between beneficial and harmful microorganisms, this is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can trigger damage to the gut lining, rendering it hyperpermeable (leaky). This can lead to substances being allowed through the lining that should not be allowed to pass through, such as food proteins, pathogens, and toxins. Since the majority of your immune system resides within the gut, when these substances pass through the gut lining, the immune system is triggered, causing a cascade of events that leads to food sensitivities, inflammation, and even auto-immunity.

There is much research underway related to gastrointestinal health and its effects on health and disease. However, we already have evidence based therapies that significantly impact the health of the gastrointestinal system in a positive way, healing the gut lining and balancing the microbiome.

The following tests are available at Surya Medicine:

- Food allergy and sensitivity testing

- Comprehensive stool testing

- SIBO testing (3 hour lactulose breath test)

- Organic acid testing

- Micronutrient testing