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Dr. Shustina is an incredibly knowledgeable doctor who truly takes time to find root cause.
RG
Rochel Gordon
Condition · Emotional & Neurological
Anxiety
Anxiety can often be tied to gut health, involving factors like inflammation or gut imbalances. Our integrative approach uses advanced diagnostics and personalized care to address these root causes, aiming to support both emotional and digestive well-being.
Anxiety often stems from more than just emotional triggers; gut health plays a significant role in influencing mood and mental well-being. At Whole Gut Health and Wellness, we understand that imbalances in gut bacteria, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to anxiety. Our holistic approach integrates advanced diagnostics, personalized nutrition plans, and targeted therapies to address the gut's role in anxiety. By supporting gut health, we aim to promote emotional balance and improve overall quality of life.
The Gut-Brain Connection and Anxiety
Anxiety often stems from more than just emotional triggers. The gut, sometimes called the "second brain," has more connections to the brain than any other system in the body, and this relationship runs in both directions. Emotional stress can cause and worsen inflammation in the gut, while imbalances in gut bacteria, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies can, in turn, influence mood and mental well-being. The microbes that make up the gut microbiome help produce neurotransmitters that are vital to brain health. When this connection is disrupted, the result can be a self-reinforcing cycle where digestive dysfunction and anxiety feed one another.
Rather than treating anxiety as an isolated emotional problem, we look at how gut health, inflammation, nutrition, and lifestyle interact to shape mental and emotional balance. By supporting the gut and optimizing the gut-brain connection, we aim to address the underlying drivers of anxiety rather than simply managing the symptoms.
Why Gut Health Influences Mood
At Whole Gut Health and Wellness, we understand that imbalances in gut bacteria, chronic inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies can all contribute to anxiety. A disrupted microbiome may alter the production of the neurotransmitters that regulate mood, while inflammation and poor nutrient absorption can leave the brain without the resources it needs to function calmly and clearly.
This is why we see symptoms not as isolated occurrences but as manifestations of underlying imbalances within the body. Anxiety, like many of the gastrointestinal conditions we treat, is a fire alarm alerting us to a deeper root cause. If we merely turn off the alarm, a person may feel better temporarily, but the underlying cause has not been removed. Our goal is to identify and address those root causes so that emotional balance can be restored and sustained.
Treatment
At Whole Gut Health and Wellness Center, we believe in taking a holistic approach to gastrointestinal and emotional health. We recognize that symptoms are not isolated occurrences but manifestations of underlying imbalances within the body. We strongly stand by the "food is medicine" approach and guide each patient with clear, simple, and strategic dietary changes to support and heal the gut and the rest of the body. By addressing the root causes and considering the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and environment, we can provide comprehensive and personalized care to our patients.
Dr. Alexandra Shustina, a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, and the team at Whole Gut Health combine the best of conventional medicine with evidence-based natural therapies and lifestyle interventions. We take the time to understand your unique situation, listen to your concerns, and conduct thorough evaluations to determine the underlying causes of your symptoms.
Advanced Diagnostics
We use advanced diagnostics to uncover the specific factors driving your anxiety, from gut bacterial imbalances and inflammation to nutritional deficiencies. Understanding your individual picture allows us to build a plan that targets the actual mechanisms at work rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
Personalized Nutrition
Because food is medicine, personalized nutrition is central to our approach. We provide clear, simple, and strategic dietary changes designed to reduce inflammation, rebuild a robust microbiome, and supply the brain with the nutrients it needs for emotional balance and resilience.
Targeted, Gut-Focused Therapies
We use natural tools such as visceral manipulation, cranial osteopathy, breathwork, and energy medicine to calm the nervous system and optimize the gut-brain connection. These therapies help interrupt the cycle in which stress worsens gut inflammation and gut dysfunction worsens anxiety.
Treating the Person, Not Just the Symptoms
We treat the person, not just the symptoms. We know that symptoms are fire alarms alerting us to the root cause. If we merely turn off the alarm, we may feel better temporarily, but the cause of the alarm has not been removed—the house is still on fire. We examine the symptoms, lifestyle, personal history, and life traumas, shedding light on the potential causes, associated conditions, and effective treatment approaches.
By focusing on the root causes rather than just symptom management, we aim to restore balance and promote optimal health. Our goal is not only to alleviate anxiety but also to enhance overall well-being and quality of life. We believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in their own healing process.
We encourage healthy eating habits, stress reduction techniques, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices to support your overall well-being. The care you receive at our practice provides more than just help with your current concern; the tools we provide can benefit you for a lifetime.
Related Gastrointestinal Symptoms We Regularly Encounter
Because anxiety and digestive health are so closely linked, many patients who come to us for emotional balance are also living with gastrointestinal symptoms. Beyond focusing solely on symptom management, our holistic approach aims to restore balance and optimize your digestive health, addressing the physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors that influence how you feel. Our practice helps with a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
Abdominal pain
Belching
Bloating
Constipation
Crohn's disease
Diarrhea
Diverticulosis
Gallbladder disease
GERD / heartburn
H. pylori infection
IBS
Leaky gut
Liver disease
Parasites
SIBO
Swallowing disorders
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcers
Expert-Led, Personalized Care
Dr. Alexandra Shustina is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist specializing in complex digestive disorders, gut health, and the gut-brain connection. Drawing from both conventional gastroenterology and integrative medicine, she takes a comprehensive approach to uncovering the underlying factors contributing to anxiety and guides patients toward lasting wellness.
At Whole Gut Health, every patient receives highly personalized care rooted in a deep understanding of digestive health, nutrition, the gut microbiome, and the interconnected systems that influence overall well-being. By combining evidence-based medicine with a thoughtful, individualized approach, we help patients move beyond symptom management and create a clear path toward long-term emotional balance and vitality.
Our approach
Why Whole Gut Health is different.
At Whole Gut Health, we go beyond conventional symptom management and traditional functional medicine protocols. We trust your body's innate ability to heal itself when given the right support.
In Dr. Shustina's many years of practice, she has seen that many digestive diseases have their root cause in emotional traumas and unhealed wounds. When these underlying causes are healed, the body can heal from the inside out in a lasting way.
We focus on the mind-gut connection, incorporating energy healing techniques, personalized nutrition that evolves as you heal, and integrative approaches addressing mind, body, and spirit. If this resonates with you, contact our office to schedule your consultation and take the first step on your healing journey.
Reviews
The body remembers when it's finally heard.
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Dr. Shustina goes to the root level of the issue, not only superficial, so there's healing.
LG
Leah Glickman
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She has significantly improved my health. I was suffering from Ulcerative Colitis and now live normally.
ML
Monica LaBadia
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Dr. Shustina has helped me change my lifestyle and heal my gut in a way I thought impossible.
DL
Dalit Lonstein
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She listens to patients and treats conditions, not symptoms.
GS
Gabriela Salazar
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Dr. Shustina is the best doctor I have ever been to. She assesses the root of the problem.
MS
M. S.
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She is an outstanding doctor who understands the body's ability to heal itself and holistic remedies.
SS
Sibel Sebi Sharabi
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Dr. Shustina has a wealth of knowledge and is helping me heal years of gastrointestinal issues.
DC
Daniela Chaparro
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Dr. Shustina is an amazing doctor. She diagnosed my cancer early and saved my life.
MW
Mordechai Weinstein
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After one session with Dr. Shustina, my digestive pain went away.
TP
Taryn Parascand
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Doctor Shustina is the absolute best. She has helped me resolve numerous issues other doctors dismissed.
RS
Rachel S.
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Dr. Shustina is a fantastic doctor who truly cares. Her holistic approach attacks the root cause.
CS
Clay Simonsen
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