A Functional Nutrition Approach to Digestive Health

Did you know that about one in three Americans suffers from gut-related issues? Beyond those who seek medical attention for gastrointestinal distress, an even larger portion of the population experiences symptoms of gut dysfunction in other ways. These can manifest as skin conditions, nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, frequent colds and infections, mood disorders, chronic fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and even autoimmune disorders.

The Gut as the Foundation of Health

The health of your gut is foundational to overall well-being. As the body’s primary interface with the outside world, your digestive system is responsible for absorbing essential nutrients while keeping harmful invaders at bay. When gut health is compromised, it can lead to a cascade of negative health effects. Functional Medicine recognizes this connection and focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of gut dysfunction, rather than merely suppressing symptoms with pharmaceuticals.

Personalized Care for Optimal Digestive Health

At Wellness Doctor, our Nutritionist Cassie and Dr. Kremer take an in-depth approach to understanding the root cause of each individual’s symptoms. Traditional treatments often aim to manage symptoms without addressing the underlying issues, leading to poor long-term outcomes. By uncovering the “why” behind your symptoms, we can create a plan to restore your body's natural health and function.

Common Symptoms and Conditions We Address:

• Constipation/Diarrhea
• Gas/Bloating
• Abdominal Pain
• Food Sensitivities
• Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, etc.)
• Celiac Disease
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Candida Overgrowth
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

The 5 R’s of Functional Medicine for Gut Health

Our approach to digestive health follows the Functional Medicine framework known as the 5 R’s:

Remove – Eliminate inflammatory foods, toxins, and pathogens that disrupt gut health.

Replace – Restore digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile to support optimal digestion.

Reinoculate – Reintroduce beneficial probiotics and prebiotics to rebalance gut flora.

Repair – Support the gut lining with nutrients that promote healing and reduce inflammation.

Rebalance – Address lifestyle factors such as stress management, sleep, and movement to sustain gut health.

A Whole-Body Approach to Wellness

Dr. Kremer has designed a comprehensive 30-day program integrating clinical-grade nutraceuticals with a low-allergen, anti-inflammatory diet. This program helps to reset metabolic functions, reduce inflammation, and optimize gut health. Many patients experience significant improvements in energy levels, digestion, immune function, and overall well-being.

Why Functional Medicine Matters

Nearly half of all visits to internists are due to functional bowel disorders, such as reflux and IBS. In fact, some of the best-selling drugs in the U.S. are prescribed for gastrointestinal issues. Unfortunately, these medications often only mask the problem rather than resolve it, potentially leading to further complications down the road.

Unlike structural gut disorders that can be identified through procedures like endoscopy or colonoscopy, functional gut disorders involve dysfunctions in digestion, absorption, and gut motility. These issues, though sometimes overlooked in conventional medicine, have very real consequences if left unaddressed.

Start Your Journey to Better Digestive Health

If you have struggled with digestive issues, food intolerances, or unexplained health concerns and have not found relief through diet or conventional treatments, our Functional Medicine approach may be the solution. By focusing on reducing inflammation, enhancing gut function, supporting detoxification, and restoring metabolic balance, we can help you achieve lasting wellness.

Let us help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms and guide you toward a healthier, more vibrant life. Contact Wellness Doctor today to schedule your comprehensive gut health evaluation.

"Click Here" for Dr. Kremer's article on Proton Pump Inhibitors as featured in Paleo Magazine.

Many physicians use the word “functional” to describe problems related to the function of the gut (situations where the intestinal tract simply isn’t working properly), as opposed to “structural” disorders, which are something a gastroenterologist can see on an endoscopy or colonoscopy such as blockages, ulcers, hiatal hernias, villous atrophy (Celiac Disease), etc. and therefore are often considered more “real" and treatable… Functional gut disorders are equally real problems with very real causes and often end with serious consequences.