Discovering What’s Going on In There
Diseases date back to the dawn of humankind. As humans have evolved, so too have their diseases: some that were once rare have become common, others have disappeared, and new varieties have emerged. Many of these changes have taken place in the wake of important transformations in human civilizations and ecology. It is therefore feasible to propose that diseases succeed and fail in response to humanity’s advances. My hypothesis to explain the appearance and disappearance of some of these diseases—both infectious and chronic—is that changes in human ecology result in changes in the microbes that populate our bodies. This, in turn, affects our physiology and ultimately our health.
Behind the curtain, our gut is responsible for putting our body into working order. As it breaks down the foods we eat, our gut absorbs nutrients that support our body’s functions — from energy production to hormone balance, skin health to mental health, and even toxin and waste elimination.
Here’s a fact, about 70 percent of the immune system resides in the gut walls, so making sure our digestive system is in optimum form can be key to addressing many of our bodily woes. That’s a Big Deal! But how do we translate our gut feelings into health solutions?
Your gut may not be a literal voice, but its functions communicate in a form of code. From complete silence to hunger grumbles and bathroom habits, get insight into what’s going on inside. –Healthline, Natalie Butler, RDLD 1/30/18
When we turn our attention to what’s going on in there, we must always consider the health of the gut. The health of the gut is implicated in every single system in the body. Every health challenge experience is related to the gut: depression, skin rash, fatigue, mood swings, too many colds, even eye twitching — you can’t address it without looking at the gut. In fact, a few years ago, while in my training to become a functional nutrition coach, I heard of Dr. David Brady, who spoke about the autoimmune trifecta, which I now use in my practice to help my clients understand how autoimmune illnesses take a hold in our bodies.
There needs to be the perfect storm of three biological factors.
- Genetic predisposition.
- The makeup of the bacteria in the gut (this is otherwise known as the microbiota and sometimes this number, number two, is considered in the realm of infection).
- The compromised integrity or permeability of the gut lining.
You got that, right? Genetic predisposition, the makeup of the bacteria in the gut, and compromised integrity or permeability of the gut.
Look at this three-legged stool onto which the overactive immune gremlin that is autoimmunity can climb.
- One leg is your genetic predisposition
- One leg is the makeup of bacteria in your gut
- The middle leg is your compromised integrity or permeability of your gut lining. In other words, Leaky Gut! This is a Huge Deal!
Without one of those legs in place, there is no stool to stand upon. Think about this. Two, yes, two of those legs on the three-legged stool are related to the health of the gut. How can this critical system be so overlooked in conventional medicine approaches? Well, this is where Functional Nutrition comes in.
I work with my clients and teach them how to get to the root of their health concerns, and auto correct. We’re not just addressing how to remedy signs and symptoms, but we’re looking at why the signs and symptoms are there in the first place. If we simply alleviate symptoms without looking at the root cause, we are essentially putting a lid on a pot of boiling water. What happens when you do that? The pot eventually boils over, even though the lid is on top, right? When instead we find the root cause, we then turn off the heat and the boiling will stop. The symptoms will not just be masked but will go away. That’s what this is all about.
My goal is to work with you and go deep. Find out ‘What’s Going on in There’ first by clearing the murky waters. We do this by eliminating inflammatory foods, situations and environments. This step will reduce systemic inflammation (the cause of so many symptoms) and helps us see what is going on in your body that is specific to you. I will offer you both the tools and the Nutrition that your body needs to thrive not just survive along with support for uncovering and discussing your health challenges.
Adapted by Diane Guillory, excerpts taken from Andrea Nakayama, Founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance
Through my one-on-one coaching or virtual online programs, you’ll finally get a handle on how to listen to your body as it calls out for help. Together we will dig deep for your answers rooted in the cause of your symptoms and find the solutions that work.