Harmony with Food Radio Show #240: Treating Dysbiosis & GERD

This week on the Harmony with Food show, I talked about treating leaky gut, GERD, and what you need to know about PPIs.

Treating Leaky Gut

If you've ever been on antibiotics before, you probably have leaky gut. What is leaky gut? Your intestine is made up of tight junctions. Think of it like a cheesecloth, certain things can pass through and other things are filtered out so they don't pass through.

If you've been on antibiotics, have eaten a lot of junk food, have abused alcohol, or are on certain medications, it can affect the integrity of your intestinal wall. Leaky gut can lead to GI issues, fatigue, weight loss resistance, and more.

When you do testing with me through the Biounique Boutique, one of the most useful tools I have for healing dysbiosis, or leaky gut, is the Gut Zoomer. It helps me see whether the gut flora is balanced, whether any beneficial bacteria are missing, and if there are any inflammatory bacteria or other microorganisms or pathogens present.

One of the most common features of dysbiosis is low diversity. There are two main factors: richness and evenness. Richness refers to the number of species present in a certain niche. Evenness compares the uniformity of the population size of each species present. We look at two different indexes for this, called the Shannon's index and the Simpson's index, and we want to have a high number for richness and evenness.

With this information, I can figure out which pre and probiotics you need, what supplements you should be taking to help heal the gut, and what types of food you should or shouldn't be consuming too. For example, if your test shows that something called gliadin is too high, you may have a sensitivity to wheat, barley, or rye.

Micronutrient Testing

Another test that really goes hand in hand with the Gut Zoomer is the Micronutrient test. This test can help us figure out exactly which nutrients you may be missing because nutrients play a huge role in our health. Certain metabolites can actually slow down your metabolism if they're not in the normal range.

In functional nutrition, the ranges are different than when you go to your regular doctor. For example, if your Vitamin D was at a 41, they may say that is fine, but we want it closer to 60-80 so you are feeling your best.

Your doctor may check a few things like iron, Vitamin D, and maybe Vitamin B12, but there are so many more nutrients that never get checked. Your vitamin levels can influence your immune system, cause immune dysfunction if they're low, and cause anemia, depression, fatigue, anxiety, and more. Some psychiatrists are even prescribing nutraceuticals because they see the connection between nutrient levels and mood.

PPIs and GERD

If you're dealing with GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux, know that there are natural options that can help with that as well. The most common medication prescribed for GERD, Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs, are not meant for long-term use. It actually says this on the bottle, but people wind up using them for years.

What often happens is that people try to get off of them, they wind up having a rebound effect, so their reflex comes back. They end up calling their doctor, who advises them to start taking the PPI again. We know that cancer is one of the side effects of PPIs, so I want you to be able to get off of them and have other choices that will help you feel better.

This testing can help to identify root causes so you can get off of your medications and feel better.

How to Work with Me

If you're interested in working with me, I have a few different options available depending on your goals and budget.

BioUnique Boutique - If you want to get testing done to get to the root cause of your health problems, the BioUnique Boutique is the best place to start. Click HERE to schedule a free 45-minute call with me to determine which tests are right for you.
1:1 Consultation - Right now, I do telemedicine consultations. I accept Blue Cross, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, and I also accept HSAs and FSAs. If you're interested in a 1:1 consultation, click HERE to schedule a free 45-minute call with me so we can determine the best way to work together.
Your Diet Do Over - This is my signature 6-week course that will help transform your relationship with food. Click HERE to learn more and use the code RADIOMEG for $100 off the course price.
Harmony Within Monthly Membership - In my monthly membership, you'll get two 45-minute group Zoom calls with me each month, plus a wealth of knowledge from multiple experts. Click HERE for details.