Gut Health:
Restoring Balance from Within
The gut plays a vital role in overall health, influencing everything from digestion and immunity to mood and energy levels. At Salt Lake Functional Medicine, we recognize the importance of a healthy gut. Dr. Tiffani Fries takes a functional medicine approach to address a wide range of gut-related issues, helping patients restore balance and improve their well-being.
The Gut-Health Connection
The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively called the gut microbiome. This complex ecosystem plays a crucial role in:
- Digesting food and absorbing nutrients
- Synthesizing vitamins
- Protecting against pathogens
- Regulating the immune system
- Influencing mood and brain function
When the balance of the gut microbiome is disrupted (a condition called dysbiosis), it can contribute to a variety of health problems.
The Salt Lake Functional Medicine Approach to Gut Health
Dr. Fries, DC understands that gut issues are often complex and multifaceted. She utilizes advanced testing and a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying factors contributing to gut dysbiosis and related symptoms. These factors may include:
- Food sensitivities and intolerances
- Infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic)
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Stress
- Medication use
- Environmental toxins
Personalized Support Plans:
Based on a thorough evaluation and advanced testing (if needed), Dr. Fries, DC develops personalized treatment plans that may include:
Dietary Modifications:
Implementing personalized dietary changes to eliminate trigger foods, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Targeted Supplementation:
Using probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and other supplements to support gut healing and restore balance.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
Incorporating stress-reduction techniques, improving sleep hygiene, and addressing other lifestyle factors that impact gut health.
Gut Health Conditions We Address:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Food Sensitivities and Intolerances
- Constipation and Diarrhea
- Candida Overgrowth
- Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
- H. pylori Infections
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- Parasitic Infections
