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Gut health organ diagram

GUT HEALTH BASICS

Gut health treatment in Perth and worldwide begins with gut physiology, in this case, the gastrointestinal tract. The Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) is a large organ system that starts in your mouth and goes through most of your body. It includes your mouth and tongue, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, plus the small and large intestines. Together, these organs oversee the digestion of food into the basic components your body needs. However, they are not alone in this arduous job.

Virtually every inch of your GIT is laced with microorganisms. Thousands of species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, live in different parts of your GIT. Most of these microbes are localized in your large intestine, and most of them are bacteria. The microbes inhabiting your digestive system (stomach and intestines) are collectively known as your gut microbiota or gut microbiome.

Gut health to brain health connection

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD GUT HEALTH FOR YOU

A key component of the GIT is the gut microbiota, a massive ensemble of bacteria, fungi and viruses that lead a highly active life inside our GIT. These microorganisms oversee the production of important chemicals, such as SCFAs, which have a direct influence on the functioning of our body.
The composition of the gut microbiota, as well as the microbiota from other parts of the body, has proven (direct and indirect) effects on many different aspects of our physical health and our mental health.

Neurological conditions like depression, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety or autism (among many others) have been linked to the gut microbiome. Just how much influence these tiny inhabitants exert in our brain is still a topic of active research.

A key question you need to answer is whether you are taking all measures needed to have a healthy gut and healthy mind.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF POOR GUT HEALTH?

Intestinal permeability is a gastrointestinal condition in the intestines and digestive tract. When you are suffering from this condition, your digestive system is unable to gain vital nutrition from your food.

This means that there is a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system, often causing pain and discomfort and potentially leading to other serious conditions. The symptoms of intestinal permeability include:

  • Food sensitivity
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Malabsorption of nutrients
  • Inflammatory skin conditions

  • Thyroid problems
  • Mood swings
  • Bloating
  • Allergies
  • Migraines

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WHAT CAUSES INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY AND GUT HEALTH ISSUES?

Gut microbes have been identified as an important player in the maintenance of gut health and in the development and prevention of disease. Studies are now establishing not only correlations between gut microbial composition and health, but actual mechanisms that explain how this relationship works.

You may not be aware of it, but we are in a constant battle against an army of invisible pathogens that threaten our health. At the core of this battle is our immune system, which leads the fight against invading microorganisms, toxins and any foreign particles. In recent decades, studies have discovered amazing connections between our immune system and the microorganisms lining our gut1.

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM EXPLAINED

Our body is in constant war with external pathogens that try to enter our body and our first line of defence is the immune system.

This complex defence system is made up of specialized tissues, cells and organs that work together to prevent the entry of microorganisms and fight off those that manage to enter the body.  When an invading microorganism, for example, enters the body, our immune system launches a response, attacking the invaders.

This attack is commonly known as an inflammatory response or inflammation. On a superficial level, inflammation can be seen when a wound swell, turns red and starts hurting. At a cellular level, an inflammatory response is a complex process involving many components of the immune system.

DISEASES LINKED TO A FAULTY IMMUNE SYSTEM

A major type of health problems affecting Australians relate to malfunctions of the immune system, involving either the innate or the adaptive immune system, autoimmune responses and inflammation.

Autoimmune diseases occur when our adaptive immune system attacks our own cells, tissues or organs, resulting in inflammation and cellular damage. It has been estimated that about 5% of all Australians suffer from autoimmune conditions, making it one of the most important types of chronic diseases in Australia.

There are more than 80 known diseases that involve the immune system, including autoimmune conditions, reduced activity of immune cells, and other pathologies.

Some of the most common diseases involving the immune system include:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Heart disease
  • Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

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OUR PROCESS

Discuss & Analyse Symptoms

At our Perth centre, we begin by listening to your concerns and create a list of your symptoms. Based on this list, we draw on our experience and research to identify possible conditions that may be linked to your ailments. These could include certain nutritional or hormonal deficiencies, genetic alterations or gut dysbiosis – where there is an imbalance in your gut microbiome.

Lifestyle Changes and Considerations

We also examine your lifestyle, as research shows that eating habits, exercise, sleep patterns, and other common lifestyle choices have a direct effect on your health. All these factors have proven effects on different aspects of your health and wellbeing. Alterations in activity levels and sleep or following an unhealthy diet can directly affect the functioning of different systems in your body. These factors also interact with your body chemistry and genetics to cause, maintain or worsen specific conditions.

Comprehensive Medical Testing

Next, we perform comprehensive medical testing to obtain clear evidence of which systems in your body may be performing at less than 100%. For these tests, we examine samples of your blood, stool, and urine to obtain chemical and biological signals about the sources of your problems.

Adjustments and Advice

Once we’ve gathered the crucial information from questionnaires, lifestyle analysis, and test results, we’ll provide you with a tailored solution to help rebuild and repair your gut. This plan may include lifestyle changes, dietary alterations, and natural & herbal supplementation.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE RESEARCH

We like having our finger on the pulse of the latest Functional Medicine research, take a look at some of our articles regarding the contributing factors to your health.

Why Choose The Australian Centre for Functional Medicine?

Experience

We are experienced at solving gut problems and have helped thousands of people overcome their issues and live healthy lives. We have treated a range of conditions from skin problems, to arthritis, to fertility issues, to numerous autoimmune diseases, and everything in between.

Process

We examine your health from all angles to determine what factors are causing your gut problems and determine the best treatment solution. Our holistic approach ensures that we’re not only treating the symptoms, rather we are getting to the root cause of your problem for long term results.

Tailored Protocol

Our advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. We take all the factors of your unique case into consideration and come up with a solution that sets you up for success.

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