According to the National Institute for Health (NIH), digestive disorders affect 60 to 70 million people in the United States. Rina Kapoor, MD, ABOIM, of ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine of the Philadelphia Main Line in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, protects and cares for your gut health to prevent and treat digestive disorders of all kinds. If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gut health issues, call or schedule an appointment online with her office today.
Your gut health significantly impacts your body's overall wellness. Gut health refers to how well the lining of your digestive tract protects from toxins, absorbs nutrients, releases hormones, and breaks down foods. It also takes into account the balance of your microbial flora which is known as your" microbiome.”
Your gut health affects your immune system, heart health, sleep patterns, digestion, brain health, and mood stability. Poor gut health contributes to digestive conditions such as:
Recent research suggests that your gut health and your microbiome may also contribute to anxiety, dementia, fibromyalgia, depression, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune disease, allergies, diabetes, obesity, and more.
Several factors can impact your gut health. An essential step in protecting and healing your gut is identifying the underlying causes of your improper digestion, malabsorption, and gut inflammation.
Some things that could affect your gut health include:
ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine uses food, supplements, and a personalized protocol to improve your gut health and get you on your way to your best health.
Dr. Kapoor utilizes the 5R Protocol to identify and treat the root causes of poor gut health, taking each step in succession until your gut is healthy again.
The program begins by removing anything that impacts your gut health, including pathogens, foods, medications, physical and mental stress, systemic inflammation, and environmental stressors.
After removing harmful impacts on your gut health, your treatment plan focuses on replacing vital digestive enzymes, bile salts, fiber, and other elements necessary for proper digestion and absorption.
To rebuild a strong gut, you must re-inoculate your intestines with good bacteria that heal your gut lining and help fight harmful bacteria that cause inflammation and breakdown of the protective barrier between your digestive tract and body.
Once healthy bacteria thrive in the gut, you must regenerate and repair your intestinal lining with nutrient-rich foods and targeted supplements.
Finally, Dr. Kapoor supports you as you incorporate appropriate mind-body practices that support your gut's ability to protect and heal itself.
The 5R program incorporates the essential aspects of gut health, including microbiome assessment, effective absorption, balanced gut flora, improved intestinal permeability, reduced inflammation, immune regulation, and a healthy nervous system. Together, these steps heal your gut and protect your overall health.
Call or schedule an appointment online with ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine today to protect and restore your gut health.
