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Not all disease begins in the gut

But of the ones that do, we are here to help.

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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 an extensive organ system that starts in your mouth and goes through most of your body. It includes your mouth and tongue, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, and small and large intestines. Together, these organs oversee the digestion of food into the essential 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 vital 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 essential chemicals, such as SCFAs, which directly influence the functioning of our bodies.


The composition of the gut microbiota and 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 on our brain is still a topic of active research.


You need to answer a key question is whether you are taking all the necessary measures to have a healthy gut and mind.

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WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF POOR GUT HEALTH?

Intestinal permeability is a gastrointestinal condition in the intestines and digestive tract. When you suffer from this condition, your digestive system cannot gain vital nutrition from your food.


This means there is a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system, often causing pain and discomfort and potentially leading to other severe 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

WHAT CAUSES INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY AND GUT HEALTH ISSUES?

Gut microbes have been identified as an essential player in maintaining gut health and in the development and prevention of disease. Studies are now establishing correlations between gut microbial composition and health and 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 foreign particles. In recent decades, studies have discovered excellent 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 comprises 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 immune system components.

DISEASES LINKED TO A FAULTY IMMUNE SYSTEM

A significant health problem affecting Australians relates 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 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 Australia’s most essential types of chronic diseases.


More than 80 known diseases 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

GUT HEALTH JOURNAL

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.

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Functional Medicine petri dish

AUSCFM'S FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

At your first appointment, time is invested to gain a thorough understanding of your medical history, lifestyle, symptoms and genetic predispositions to autoimmune diseases.

Comprehensive labs and testing are recommended to provide a more accurate understanding of what is happening to you internally.​

Recommendations are made in regards to your treatment, including alterations to your lifestyle, diet, supplementation and more, to provide an effective path to healing.​

More about Functional Medicine

ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT AUSCFM

In order to better understand your condition and offer the best treatment, we may perform the following tests and procedures:

  • Comprehensive Blood Chemistry
  • Saliva Testing
  • Advanced Stool Analysis
  • Allergy Testing
  • Dried Urine advanced HPA-Axis Testing
  • Comprehensive Urine Analysis
  • Genetic Testing
More about testing

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