If you’ve been following us for a while (or are a patient here), you know that we’re all about addressing the gut-brain connection. The gut affects the brain (and mood!)…and vice versa.
And if you’re struggling with belly aches, you might wonder why some people tend to have “stomachs of iron” while you’re always the “sensitive one” and have to watch what you eat.
That’s where nutritional testing comes in.
The tests we use in our clinic identify harmful bacteria, yeast, inflammation markers, enzyme production, immune mucous layer integrity, and what’s happening with the levels of your gut bacteria (as well as presence of undigested fat in the stool).
Once you have an idea of what’s going on, you can move onto the “Four R’s”: Remove, Replace, Repair, Reintroduce:
1️⃣ Remove inflammatory foods. Some people are even eating “healthy” junk foods like protein bars and shakes that are actually highly inflammatory. We also address dysbiosis (the “bad guys” when it comes to gut flora) including bacteria, yeast, parasites, worms. This process can take a few weeks, but people love the benefits – including clearer skin, weight loss, better moods, and more energy.
2️⃣ Replace digestive enzymes and specific nutrients you’re lacking (like Vitamins B, D and A, choline, B12, or even iron), bile, acid, and keep on the clean diet protocol from the “Remove” phase.
3️⃣ Repair the gut lining with healing herbs and functional foods. Sometimes, the lining of your intestines can take a hit and get damaged or even torn. At Pacific Integrative psychiatry, we use natural supplements that help your body repair that lining so you don’t get bacterial overgrowth and toxins that can leach into your bloodstream.
4️⃣ Reintroduce good gut bacteria as needed – with probiotics, fermented foods and prebiotic foods that feed the good bacteria.
Then you can reintroduce some of the foods you were sensitive to in the past – but remember to do one at a time slowly to see how you react.
Many of our patients love their new way of eating and lose the taste for trigger foods (that can also harm the gut…like gluten) and don’t even worry about this phase because they feel so much better.
In our practice, we offer personalized nutrition consultations that guide people through the 4R process.
Schedule a free 20-minute call with our team to learn more.
