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Why Gut Health Is the Key to Whole-Body Wellness: A Naturopathic Doctor Explains

If you’ve been a patient of mine, you’ve likely heard me talk about gut health. Although you might be coming to see me for acne or even fertility, we’re still going to talk about your gut. Why? As a Naturopathic Doctor, I’ve witnessed time and again that when we support the gut, we support every other system—including the immune, neurological, hormonal, and even emotional systems.


A well-functioning digestive system is the foundation of whole-body wellness, and research continues to affirm what many Naturopathic Doctors have known for years.


Let’s start with the basics. What does your gut do for you? Your gut plays an active role not only in digesting your food, but also in immune regulation, neurotransmitter production (like serotonin and GABA), detoxification, and inflammatory control. When your gut microbiome is imbalanced—due to factors such as poor diet, stress, antibiotics, or chronic inflammation—it can contribute to symptoms you might not associate with digestion. Fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, hormone imbalances, acne, and mood changes, to name a few.


When I mention the microbiome, I’m referring to the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in your gut that play a dynamic role in your physiology.


A 2025 study on gut microbiota dysbiosis confirmed that disruptions in gut microbiota (dysbiosis) are strongly associated with inflammatory diseases, obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and immune dysregulation [1]. That’s why I place such importance on microbial diversity and balance when assessing chronic or unresolved health conditions. Supporting the microbiome with food, herbs, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplementation can be a game-changer.

You may have heard of something called “leaky gut.” While it might sound like your intestines are spilling out onto the floor, rest assured, that’s not what’s happening. “Leaky gut,” also known as intestinal permeability, refers to when the lining of the intestine becomes too permeable. This allows undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to enter the bloodstream, leading to widespread inflammation.


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A key review published in Frontiers in Immunology explains how intestinal permeability contributes to autoimmune disease, allergies, and systemic inflammation [2]. Even in patients without digestive complaints, leaky gut can underlie fatigue, food sensitivities, eczema, joint pain, and other seemingly unrelated symptoms such as chronic congestion.


One of the most fascinating areas of current research is the gut-brain connection. I’ve had many patients present with brain fog, and once we start to balance their microbiome, their brain fog begins to lift. Your gut influences your mood, memory, and even how you respond to stress—mainly via the vagus nerve, which runs from the base of your brain down to your stomach.

A 2023 study entitled Gut Microbiota in Anxiety and Depression: Unveiling the Relationships and Management Options highlighted how alterations in gut microbiota are linked with depression and anxiety, showing real potential for microbiome-targeted therapies [3]. This is why gut health is often part of the care plan—even when patients come to me for mood support or brain fog.

No two microbiomes are the same, which is why personalized care matters. If we’ve worked together, you know I assess gut health through clinical symptoms and functional testing. When necessary, I utilize botanical antimicrobials, probiotics, glutamine, and dietary changes, to name a few.


Even if you’re seeing me for hormones, fatigue, or skin issues, you probably remember us addressing your digestion at some point. That’s because gut health is foundational. When we support and restore gut integrity, we often see improvements across multiple systems.


So, if you're wondering where to start with your health, take a look at your gut. It’s not everything—but it’s almost always something.


At IVY Integrative, you can work with one practitioner or build your own team of holistic practitioners! Reach your optimum health in-person or online. Check out our Get Started page to learn how to work with us!






References:

  1. Shen Y, Fan N, Ma SX, Cheng X, Yang X, Wang G. Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Pathogenesis, Diseases, Prevention, and Therapy. MedComm (2020). 2025 Apr 18;6(5):e70168. doi: 10.1002/mco2.70168. PMID: 40255918; PMCID: PMC12006732.

  2. An J, Liu Y, Wang Y, Fan R, Hu X, Zhang F, Yang J, Chen J. The Role of Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in Autoimmune Disease: A Potential Target. Front Immunol. 2022 Jul 1;13:871713. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.871713. PMID: 35844539; PMCID: PMC9284064.

  3. Kumar A, Pramanik J, Goyal N, Chauhan D, Sivamaruthi BS, Prajapati BG, Chaiyasut C. Gut Microbiota in Anxiety and Depression: Unveiling the Relationships and Management Options. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Apr 9;16(4):565. doi: 10.3390/ph16040565. PMID: 37111321; PMCID: PMC10146621.


Disclaimer: This information is generalized and intended for educational purposes only. Due to potential individual contraindications, please see your primary care provider before implementing any strategies in these posts.

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