Hidden culprit Many of my clients come to me because they are experiencing diverse symptom patterns, which they have not been able to resolve. Although at first glance the gut may not appear to be the causative factor, gastrointestinal dysfunction can affect, for example, mood, hormones, energy and our overall wellbeing. In fact our digestive system is a pivotal system for the whole body. Common health complaints Did you know that 95 percent of the serotonin produced in the body is made in the digestive system and 65 percent of our immune system is found in the gut associated lymphatic tissue (GALT)? The intestinal tract plays a bigger role in our wellbeing than many practitioners realise and when things go wrong, the most common response from clients is to simply cope or try over-the-counter treatments that will only temporarily cover up the symptoms. With the right tools and GI training, holistic nutritionists, naturopaths, massage therapists and personal trainers can offer a wealth of options to restore true health and create intestinal balance. Plus many of these approaches will improve all aspects of the client’s life, such as their approach to exercise and fitness and attitudes towards food and nutrition. GI checklist Do your clients suffer from any of these conditions? If they do, gut dysfunction could be to blame.
- Lack of concentration
- Frequent yeast infections
- Frequent colds, sinusitis, or respiratory infections
- Arthritis and other inflammatory problems
- Persistent unexplainable aches and pains
- Chronic fatigue
- Skin problems like acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Hormonal imbalances
- Digestive difficulties
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Food sensitivities
- Feeling bloated or gassy
- Ulcers, heartburn, acid indigestion or GERD
- Diarrhoea, constipation, and/or irritable bowel
- Poor sleep
Can you decode the gut? Without the proper training it’s easy to miss the causative factors of health problems such as allergies, hypoglycaemia, depression, chronic fatigue and IBS, which are often symptoms arising from GI dysfunction. Often this misdiagnosis stems from the fact that poor gut health affects many other systems in the body. When the digestive system is not able to function properly, our bodies can literally become malnourished even if we’re eating well. That sets the stage for fatigue, poor metabolism, compromised immune response and a myriad of other whole-body ailments. Cure versus healing Rather than looking for the quick fix that does not help resolve the problem long-term, wouldn’t you rather help your clients attain ongoing health and vitality? There are unique approaches to combatting each GI health issue, however these steps are the grounding of any treatment programme:
- Build a platform of wellbeing by addressing areas of stress for the person and the body
- Remove the causative factors, for example food to which the person is reactive, parasites or excess sugar
- Where the body needs specific support, replace or boost what’s needed. For example HCL, digestive enzymes or good bacteria
- Provide nutritional support to help rebuild the tissue which has been damaged
- Address the individual digestive issues that are being experienced and support the body’s natural healing process by natural holistic means
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