Gut Health. Step 1 in Regaining Control

The First Two Steps to Transforming Your Health

In functional and integrative medicine, two foundational pillars must be restored before almost anything else can heal:

1) Repair and rebalance the gut
2) Stabilize insulin and blood sugar. (View our course on Weight Loss and Insulin)

When these two areas begin to normalize, inflammation drops, energy rises, hormone balance improves, mood stabilizes, and many chronic symptoms begin to resolve naturally.

1. Gut Health – Why It Comes First

The health of the gut sets the tone for the health of your entire body.

Inside the digestive tract live approximately 100 trillion bacteria—more bacteria than human cells. These organisms are not just passive passengers; they are critical to your survival and wellness.

Healthy gut bacteria:

  • make up over 60% of your immune system

  • help digest food and extract nutrients

  • manufacture B-vitamins & vitamin K2

  • assist in detoxification (chemicals, metals, medications)

  • support neurotransmitter balance and mood

  • help regulate inflammation throughout the body

A healthy microbiome = a healthy immune system, brain, skin, and metabolism.

What Damages Gut Health?

  • Sugars and refined carbohydrates

  • Processed foods

  • Alcohol

  • Antibiotics

  • Chronic stress

  • Environmental toxins

When harmful bacteria or yeasts dominate, the result can be:

  • IBS symptoms

  • bloating, gas, pain

  • frequent infections

  • constipation or diarrhea

  • skin rashes

  • low immunity

  • fatigue

  • anxiety or depression

This imbalance is called dysbiosis.

The Role of Probiotics

Probiotics help restore microbial balance.

Research shows probiotics can:

  • reduce digestive symptoms

  • prevent and treat urinary tract infections

  • reduce eczema and allergies in children

  • support immune resilience

  • help repair leaky gut

Probiotics are especially important during and after antibiotic use.
In severe dysbiosis, higher doses (sometimes 60–100+ billion daily) are required, and are generally well tolerated.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics feed and support healthy bacteria.

They are found in:

  • onions

  • oat bran

  • bananas

  • asparagus

  • chicory root

Or as supplements:
Inulin, FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides)

Prebiotics and probiotics used together can greatly enhance results.

Why Gut Repair Matters

Every system is influenced by the gut:

  • hormones

  • metabolism

  • mental health

  • immunity

  • skin health

  • inflammation

When we correct gut imbalance, the body finally has the foundation to heal.

2. Balancing Insulin & Blood Sugar

Insulin dysregulation (including insulin resistance) is one of the most common and overlooked drivers of modern chronic illness.

When blood sugar is unstable, the downstream effects include:

  • fatigue

  • weight gain

  • inflammation

  • cravings

  • hormonal imbalance

  • mood swings

  • sleep disruption

  • impaired detoxification

Correcting insulin balance—through nutrition, meal timing, stress control, movement, and lifestyle—is one of the most powerful strategies for healing and long-term disease prevention.

In Summary

To change your health at the deepest level, begin here:

Rebuild the gut.
Rebalance insulin.

When these two systems are strengthened:

  • the immune system stabilizes,

  • inflammation subsides,

  • hormones normalize,

  • cravings decrease,

  • energy returns,

  • and the body begins to restore itself.

Everything else becomes easier from there.

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