Chronic disease is crippling the American healthcare system, and new solutions are desperately needed. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a 2-day functional medicine conference, and one key message stood out: dysfunction in the gut microbiome and mitochondria lie at the root of nearly all chronic diseases. In simple terms, optimal health requires a well-functioning gut and the ability to produce cellular energy efficiently. Without addressing these two core issues, true healing is unlikely.
This article will focus on the first of these two pillars—gut health and the microbiome.
Why the Gut Matters
Gut health is now linked to mood, cognitive function, metabolic conditions (like fatty liver and diabetes), cardiovascular wellness, and immune resilience. You’ve likely heard terms like gut-brain axis or gut-liver axis, but what do they really mean? Groundbreaking research is revealing just how deeply the gut is connected to major systems of the body, especially the brain, liver, and the cardiovascular system. It also impacts hormone regulation and immune function.
Remarkably, scientists have found that your gut microbiome is 10 times more predictive of your health than your genes. Let that sink in.
These connections happen through several important pathways:
- The vagus nerve links the gut and the brain
- The portal vein connects the gut and liver
- The bloodstream serves as the highway between the gut and hormones, as well as vascular tissues
- The immune system acts as a messenger and regulator across all these systems
Because about 70% of your immune system resides in the gut, a healthy gut microbiome is foundational to a properly functioning immune system—and by extension, your overall health.
The Gut’s Role in Chronic Disease
In 2023, 9 out of the top 10 causes of death were directly connected to gut and microbiome health. These include:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
- COVID-19
Low-grade, chronic inflammation is a common thread among these diseases, often stemming from immune dysfunction that begins in the gut.
The Good News? You’re in Control.
While the research is compelling, the solutions remain refreshingly simple:
- A nutrient-dense, whole-food diet
- Regular movement and exercise
- Mindfulness and stress management
- Supportive supplements
- A sense of purpose
- Efficient digestion and elimination
Put plainly: A healthy gut creates a healthy immune system, which supports healthy organs and sets the stage for healing disease.
Factors that Harm the Gut
Several common lifestyle factors can damage the gut, including:
- Poor diet
- Food sensitivities
- Chronic stress and cortisol imbalance
- Certain medications (especially antibiotics, birth control pills, acid blockers, aspirin, and SSRIs)
- Lack of diversity in the diet
- Latent infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic)
- Inadequate digestive enzymes or bile
- Low levels of short-chain fatty acids
- Moderate to heavy alcohol use
Why Diet is the Key
What you eat shapes the makeup of your microbiome. A healthy diet supports the gut lining, which houses much of the immune system. When the gut immune system is strong, it sends balanced, protective signals to the rest of the body.
On the other hand, an unhealthy diet can lead to:
- Gut inflammation
- Damage to the gut lining
- Impaired enzyme function
- Undigested food particles triggering immune overactivation
- Systemic inflammation and immune exhaustion
This immune overdrive doesn’t just affect digestion. It can compromise the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to reach the brain and perpetuate neurological inflammation.
Testing: The First Step Toward Healing
The best way to uncover the root cause of chronic disease is through a detailed health history with a qualified practitioner. From there, functional testing, especially a comprehensive stool test, can provide crucial insights.
Stool testing evaluates:
- Digestive enzyme sufficiency
- Bile acid levels
- Inflammation
- Presence of harmful pathogens
- Health of beneficial gut bacteria
- Production of short-chain fatty acids
- Integrity of the gut lining
This data forms the foundation of a personalized plan to restore gut health and begin resolving chronic illness.
Work With Me
If you’re ready to assess your digestive health, I offer comprehensive consultations and stool testing to help identify the underlying issues contributing to your chronic condition.
- Stool test: $500
- Initial consultation: $225 (required for new clients)
- 30-minute follow-up: $90 (to review results)
- Existing clients: 1-hour consultation – $175
You can view my services and BOOK AN APPOINTMENT HERE.
DIY Path to Better Gut Health
Prefer to start on your own? Begin with The Mediterranean Diet—a flexible, balanced eating style that has outperformed other diets for a variety of conditions in countless studies. It offers variety, supports gut health, and allows for occasional indulgences.
Helpful resources:
Cleveland Clinic – Clear visuals and breakdown of the Mediterranean diet
Mayo Clinic – Educational content plus recipe ideas for the Mediterranean diet
Check out these additional articles:
Good Digestion: 5 Supplements You Need to Know
The Microbiome: The Key to Digestive and Overall Health
