.jpg)
Let’s talk guts.
Not the kind it takes to get up in front of a crowd of strangers to belt out karaoke or jump out of a perfectly good plane to skydive (though kudos to you if you’ve done either) - I mean your actual gut. This incredible system is home to trillions of microbes and acts as the command center for digestion, energy, mood, hormones, and even your immune system. When your gut’s happy, you’re happy. But when it’s off balance? Bloating, gas, constipation, brain fog, skin issues, and fatigue can quickly become unwanted issues.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Digestive issues are incredibly common, and they often require more than a quick fix. That’s where functional medicine comes in: instead of simply masking symptoms, I help patients uncover what’s causing the imbalance so we can restore the gut from the inside out.
Here are seven of my favorite ways functional medicine can help your gut - and your whole body - thrive:
1. Unmasking Food Sensitivities
Sometimes the very foods we think are “healthy” are quietly stirring up inflammation behind the scenes. Unlike allergies, food sensitivities don’t always cause immediate symptoms, but they can spark low-grade inflammation that disrupts your gut over time.
Through elimination diets, food sensitivity testing, and careful detective work, we can pinpoint which foods are fueling your symptoms. Once we clear the culprits, the gut lining can finally rest and repair (goodbye bloating and brain fog, hello relief).
2. Rebalancing Your Gut Microbiome
Your gut is like a bustling city of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes - most of them friendly, if they’re in the right balance. When the “good guys” get outnumbered, trouble starts: gas, cramping, mood shifts, even immune dysfunction.
We can rebuild harmony with targeted probiotics, prebiotic fibers, and microbiome-friendly foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha. This is like planting a thriving garden in your gut, you just might need some guidance on the care and maintenance of that garden.
3. Healing a Leaky Gut
Think of your gut lining as a fine mesh strainer. If the holes weaken and widen (a condition often called “leaky gut”), toxins, bacteria, and food particles can slip through into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation, immune flare-ups, and, well, chaos.
I often use the 5R approach to repair and protect the gut:
- Remove inflammatory triggers (foods, stress, hidden infections)
- Replace missing enzymes and nutrients
- Reinoculate with beneficial microbes
- Repair with gut-healing nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc, and omega-3s
- Rebalance with lifestyle habits for long-term management
This method calms inflammation and helps rebuild your gut barrier so it can go back to doing its job protecting you.
4. Supporting Stomach Acid and Digestive Enzymes
Here’s a surprising fact: most people with reflux actually have too little stomach acid, not too much. Without enough acid or enzymes, food sits and ferments, causing gas, bloating, and poor nutrient absorption.
We can gently support digestion with things like digestive bitters, apple cider vinegar, betaine HCl, or targeted enzyme supplements. Think of it as giving your digestive system the tools it needs to do its job well.
5. Calming Stress (Because Your Gut Feels It Too)
Ever get “butterflies” when you’re nervous? That’s your gut-brain connection at work. Chronic stress flips your body into fight-or-flight mode, diverting energy away from digestion and often triggering IBS, reflux, and even leaky gut.
I coach my patients on simple, doable stress resets - mindfulness, breathwork, journaling, nature walks, grounding, gentle yoga - that help bring the nervous system out of overdrive. When stress settles, the gut can finally heal.
6. Eating to Heal, Not Just to Fill
There’s no one-size-fits-all “gut diet,” but the right nutrition can be incredibly powerful. Depending on your symptoms, we might explore approaches like low-FODMAP, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, or an anti-inflammatory Paleo-style plan.
We’ll work together to customize a plan that reduces inflammation, nourishes your microbiome, and fits your real life (yes, you can still love your food).
7. Supporting Detox Pathways
Your liver, kidneys, and intestines are your body’s clean-up crew. When they get sluggish, toxins can build up and circulate, putting extra strain on your gut.
We’ll boost your natural detox systems with hydration, high-fiber and antioxidant-rich foods (think berries, leafy greens, broccoli), and sometimes gentle liver-supporting supplements like milk thistle or NAC. A well-functioning detox system helps your digestive system (and whole body) feel lighter, clearer, and more energetic.
The Bottom Line
Your gut is not just about digestion, it’s the foundation of your overall health. When it’s out of balance, your whole body feels it. But with a functional medicine approach, we can uncover what’s really driving your symptoms and build a personalized plan to bring your gut (and the rest of you) back to life.
If you’re tired of the bloating, the mystery food reactions, and the endless cycle of trial and error, it’s time to get answers.
You don’t have to live with gut issues. Let’s get your gut back on track together.
Schedule a 1:1 consultation with me today and start your journey toward a calmer, happier, healthier gut.
Functional Reset NP | Telehealth care across Oregon
