Gut Health

Gut Health Doctor in Georgia

Want to improve bloating, chronic gut issues, brain fog, support your immune system, and so much more?  Then it’s time to sort out your gut health. 

Too many people only equate their gut with how it digests food.  But that’s only a small piece of the puzzle. The gut runs from your esophagus all the way to your anus (about 30 feet in an adult).  Its function impacts nutrition absorption, cognition, mood, sleep, hormone production and much more.  Unfortunately, many conventional doctors overlook the gut as a source of numerous health issues..

Functional medicine, on the other hand, prioritizes the gut.  At Foothills Functional Medicine, Dr. Philip Kimsey will help you rebalance your digestive tract and get you back to feeling your best. As one of Georgia’s leading functional medicine practices, we are here to provide personalized medicine that works for you.

Functional Medicine Targets These Five Common Gut Symptoms

  • Many people suffer from chronic digestive discomfort, including bloating, gas, indigestion, and irregular bowel movements. While these symptoms are often dismissed as common, they can indicate underlying gut issues. Functional medicine practitioners dig deeper to identify the root causes, such as food sensitivities, imbalanced gut microbiota, or inflammation, and then design personalized plans to address them. This may involve dietary modifications, probiotics, or targeted supplements.

  • Fatigue is a pervasive symptom that can often be traced back to gut health. The gut-brain connection is well-established, and a compromised gut can lead to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. Functional medicine approaches fatigue by identifying and addressing factors like nutrient deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, or inflammation that might be sapping your energy. By restoring gut health, energy levels can significantly improve.

  • Food sensitivities and allergies are often the result of an overactive immune response in the gut. Functional medicine practitioners use comprehensive testing to identify specific triggers, such as gluten, dairy, certain additives and other common foods. By eliminating these triggers and healing the gut lining, they can alleviate symptoms and improve overall health.

  • The gut-brain connection is bi-directional, meaning that the state of your gut can influence your mental health. Conditions like depression and anxiety have been linked to gut dysfunction. Functional medicine seeks to balance gut microbiota, reduce inflammation, and support neurotransmitter production through dietary changes, supplementation, and lifestyle modifications, thereby improving mood and cognitive function.

  • Many autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, are associated with gut dysfunction. Functional medicine recognizes the link between autoimmune disorders and the gut's role in immune regulation. By addressing leaky gut and the underlying causes of autoimmunity, functional medicine practitioners can help manage and even reverse autoimmune conditions, often through personalized dietary protocols and targeted interventions.

Address Leaky Gut in Georgia

Many people in Georgia have leaky gut, which is where the lining of the intestines becomes compromised. Undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria enter the bloodstream and wreak havoc. This triggers an immune response and can lead to a wide range of health issues.

Unfortunately, some doctors say that leaky gut is a myth and therefore they do not take it seriously.  This stems largely from a lack of knowledge.  Functional medicine, however,  places a strong emphasis on addressing leaky gut as a key aspect of restoring gut health. Not all gut- related health issues are caused by leaky gut, but we will look closely to see if you suffer from this condition. 

The Wider Impact Gut Dysfunction Has on Your Body

Sometimes, healing the gut isn’t the primary goal of a personalized wellness plan, but it should be. In functional medicine, we focus on the gut in order to boost function in another area. Gut health extends its influence far beyond the digestive system. 

For example, 70% of our immune system resides in the gut. When the gut is compromised, the immune system may become overactive or weakened, leading to autoimmune diseases or frequent infections. Functional medicine focuses on restoring the balance in the gut to support a healthy immune response.

The gut is responsible for absorbing essential nutrients from the food we eat. If the gut is inflamed or damaged, it can lead to malabsorption issues, resulting in nutrient deficiencies. Functional medicine aims to heal the gut lining and improve nutrient absorption, which is crucial for overall health.

Chronic inflammation (and this is a big one) in the gut is a common factor in many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Functional medicine seeks to identify and address the sources of inflammation in the gut to reduce the risk of these conditions and improve overall health. Many people in Georgia suffer from chronic inflammation, but you don’t have to.

Hormonal imbalances, such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, or thyroid disorders, may be influenced by gut dysfunction. Functional medicine takes a comprehensive approach, considering the interplay between the gut, hormones, and other body systems to restore balance.

Address Leaky Gut in Georgia

So, how does Foothills Functional Medicine help?  We work with people across Georgia by providing personalized wellness plans. These plans include.

  • Functional medicine practitioners conduct thorough assessments, including medical history, symptoms, and specialized testing. This helps identify underlying causes and triggers of gut issues.

  • Based on the assessment, practitioners develop personalized treatment plans that address the specific needs of the individual. This may involve dietary changes, targeted supplements, lifestyle modifications, and stress management strategies.

  • Functional medicine is an interactive process. Patients work closely with their practitioners to monitor progress and make adjustments to their plans as needed.

  • Functional medicine empowers individuals to take an active role in their health. Patients are educated about their conditions and encouraged to make informed choices that support their well-being.

Work with Foothills Functional Medicine for Natural and Effective Healthcare

Gut health is foundational to our overall well-being, and functional medicine offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to resolving common gut symptoms and restoring optimal gut function.

By addressing issues like chronic digestive discomfort, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and more, functional medicine can have a profound impact on your health. 

When it comes to your health, you deserve two things: hope and respect. We promise to work with you one-on-one to get to the root cause of your issues. We also offer a health transformational 16-week program which includes one-on-one care PLUS a wealth of education, coaching, and support to take your health to the next level of wellness.