15
MAY
2025
Gut Health is the Foundation: Why Testing Matters and How to Support It
When clients come to Root Cause Nurse struggling with fatigue, brain fog, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, or chronic skin issues like acne—the first place we look is the gut. That’s because your digestive system is about so much more than food. It’s the foundation of nutrient absorption, immune function, detoxification, and even mental health.
Why Gut Health is at the Core of Every Wellness Journey
If your gut isn’t functioning optimally, nothing else in the body can either. You cannot absorb vitamins or minerals, regulate inflammation, or balance your stress hormones. It all starts with digestion—and that’s why it’s our first stop.
What We Test (And Why It Matters)
At Root Cause Nurse, we use the GI-MAP test from Diagnostic Solutions to assess everything from microbiome imbalances to intestinal inflammation. It’s one of the most advanced stool tests available and is done in the comfort of your home.
What it reveals:
- Bacterial overgrowth or undergrowth
- Presence of parasites, yeast, or viruses
- Pancreatic enzyme sufficiency (how well you’re digesting)
- Immune markers like secretory IgA
- Zonulin, calprotectin, and anti-gliadin (markers for leaky gut, gluten reactivity, and inflammation)
- β-glucuronidase (impacts detox and estrogen metabolism)
These aren’t just numbers. They’re the why behind your symptoms.
Case Study: Marsha's Gut Turnaround
Marsha, a 44-year-old landscaper from Southwest Florida, came in with extreme fatigue, dry skin, constipation, and acne that just wouldn’t go away. His primary care provider told him everything was fine, but he knew something wasn’t right.
His GI-MAP revealed:
- Low Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (a critical anti-inflammatory bacteria)
- Elevated streptococcus and enterococcus (often from processed food and stress)
- Low secretory IgA—his gut’s immune system was tired
Through a 12-week gut support protocol—removing irritants, adding digestive enzymes, a spore-based probiotic, and calming inflammation—Marsha reported more energy, clearer skin, and regular digestion for the first time in years.
How We Support the Gut Holistically
Everyone’s gut support plan is different, but here’s what we often focus on:
- Anti-inflammatory diet (removing processed foods, gluten, dairy)
- Digestive enzymes to help with breakdown and absorption
- L-glutamine and zinc carnosine to heal the intestinal lining
- Spore-based probiotics to rebuild the terrain
- Herbal antimicrobials (if pathogens are present)
- Nervous system regulation—stress slows digestion, so we teach breathwork and calming strategies
Let’s Talk Probiotics (and Why They’re Not One-Size-Fits-All)
You’ve probably heard about probiotics—but not all strains are the same. The GI-MAP helps us determine which strains may help based on your unique terrain.
For example:
- Low bifidobacterium? Consider a Bifido-based blend
- Post-antibiotic recovery? Consider soil-based strains (like Bacillus subtilis)
- Dealing with bloating? Go slow. Even 'good' bacteria can cause symptoms if your gut is inflamed
We make these recommendations based on your results—not just trends.
Gut Health and the LIFESTYLE Model
At Root Cause Nurse, we use the LIFESTYLE model in every personalized plan:
- L – Lab Interpretation: We use GI-MAP results to identify imbalance, inflammation, and dysfunction.
- I – Inflammation Reduction: Through food and targeted supplements, we calm the gut lining.
- F – Food First: Nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory meals are the cornerstone.
- E – Exercise: Movement supports healthy bowel function and lymphatic drainage.
- S – Sleep: Quality sleep supports microbiome repair and motility.
- T – Tension Management: We teach clients how to downregulate the gut-brain axis.
- Y – Your Supplementation: Carefully curated gut support protocols via Fullscript.
- L – Long-Term Maintenance: Retesting, food reintroduction, and ongoing gut hygiene.
- E – Enjoy Life Again: With digestion back on track, your energy and mood return.
Ready to Get to the Root of Your Gut Issues?
If you’re tired of guessing, bloating, or bouncing from food to food wondering what’s safe—this is your chance to test, not assume.
📞 Schedule a Consult
🛍️ Explore My Fullscript Shop
🧬 Complete Intake Forms
📚 References
Slavin, J. L. (2013). Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417–1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5041417
Mayer, E. A., & Tillisch, K. (2011). The brain-gut axis in abdominal pain syndromes. Annual Review of Medicine, 62, 381–396.
Lord, R. S., & Bralley, J. A. (2008). Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine. Metametrix Institute.
Kau, A. L., Ahern, P. P., Griffin, N. W., Goodman, A. L., & Gordon, J. I. (2011). Human nutrition, the gut microbiome and the immune system. Nature, 474(7351), 327–336.
Diagnostic Solutions Lab. (2024). GI-MAP Clinical Applications. Retrieved from https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com
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