By Dr. Alexandra Shustina, DO
“All disease begins in the gut” is a famous quote from Hippocrates, the father of western medicine. Heartburn, belly pain, and a change in bowel habits are clear indications that the gut needs attention. What about heart disease, chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, brain fog, depression, anxiety? These can also be rooted in an unhealthy digestive tract. As we learn more about chronic inflammation, leaky gut, and the gut microbiome, we are finding out Hippocrates was right. The digestive system is the main entry point for vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. It is also the entry point for infections, toxins, preservatives and much of the bad stuff which cause inflammation.
Chronic inflammation causes the gut to become permeable or “leaky” and can alter the microbiome from a healthy, vibrant and robust population of good bugs to one of “dysbiosis. This can cause an overgrowth of abnormal populations with less of the great, healthy species which support our immune system, keep our hearts, brains, joints and the rest of our organs healthy.
Treating the gut is a vital part of healing inflamed joints, chronic infections, improving mood, obtaining mental clarity, optimizing heart function, increasing energy and much more. It is often the first place to start. Dr. Shustina has years of experience treating the digestive tract with both conventional and integrative modalities and has performed thousands of endoscopic procedures.
Contact us to learn how we can provide solutions to your health problems by treating the gut first.
