By Dr. Amy Davis, MD
Functional Medicine identifies the Root Cause of disease, and recognizes that symptoms manifest and provide clues to the underlying cause. The symptoms experienced provide key information to help identify and treat the root cause.
Symptoms that correlate with digestion and the gut microbiome are among the most common. They provide us with the opportunity to identify and treat underlying causes of many disease processes.
There are three food groups that are needed to survive. Each serves different important functions. Carbohydrates provide fuel (energy) for muscles and the nervous system. Proteins are mainly for structure and only used for energy when carbohydrates are not available (as in a starvation). Fats are important to digest and process properly because they serve so many functions. Fats provide four-to-five times more energy than carbohydrates, fat soluble vitamins (D, E, K and A), hormones (communication system of the body), the structure of the nervous system and brain (90% of the brain IS made of fat) and impacts immune regulation. Improper digestion or processing of any of these food groups leads to characteristic symptoms.
Symptoms and Possible Indications
- Carbohydrate craving – poor digestion of carbs and abnormal microbiome.
- Sugar craving – poor carbohydrate and fat digestion.
- Bad breath – indicates either dental problems or poor digestion.
- Constipation – frequently occurs when people don’t digest fats well or abnormal gut flora.
- Undigested food in stool – poor digestion in general.
- Foul smelling stools – poor digestion and abnormal gut microbiome.
- Fatigue – frequently comes from poor digestion of carbs and fats, abnormal flora or food sensitivities.
- Poor endurance – poor digestion and processing of fats.
- Fluid retention or bloating – poor digestion or inflammatory foods.
- Gassy – poor digestion and abnormal flora.
- Hangover feeling when no alcohol has been consumed – poor carb digestion especially if sugar is also consumed, or food sensitivities.
- Heartburn – poor protein digestion or flora imbalance.
- Frequent infections – poor carbohydrate digestion, fat processing or abnormal flora.
What can you do to help?
Supporting digestion and flora with a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, digestive enzymes, probiotics, fiber, omegas and herbals can favorably impact many symptoms. Choosing the right support for you can be challenging. We can help get you back on the path to optimal health. Currently we are still accepting new patients.
Tip for the New Year
Practice Mindfulness every day.
Ninety five percent of the mind is on autopilot filled with patterns and beliefs you are not aware of. These patterns create dysfunction, and they negatively impact your health.
Practice staying in the present moment. Worrying about the future and regrets about the past, neither of which you can control, keeps you from enjoying today. Decide what you want this year and focus on that. Keep out of patterns that don’t serve you well e.g. survival reactive mode.
Start each day with time for you to reset your mind. Breathe, create positive feelings, imagine how you want your life to look and feel. Practice daily and you will transform your life!
Have a Healthy New Year!
Dr. Amy Davis M.D.
Crossing Back to Health
485 Wildwood Parkway Suite 2
Ballwin, MO 63011
(636) 778-9158