Happy Spring!

It's the Gut Health Issue!

Ever wonder why integrative doctors seem obsessed about asking what you ate and how often you had a bowel movement? They even may ask what your stools look like.  In naturopathic and integrative medicine getting to the root of a medical issue often circles back to conversations about gut health. 

The gut and its microbiome are both a trafficway and a community of bacteria that are constantly interacting with each other and influencing the metabolic function of the rest of the body, changing in response to internal and external inputs. 

It’s an area of research that continues to astound, confuse, and fascinate because there are over 100 trillion microbes that make up the gut microbiome. Areas of research on gut microbiome range from irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurological diseases like brain injury and dementia, to cancer. The gut microbiome is mutable, which means it is dynamic and can be influenced by external inputs. Learn more about how: nutrition (fiber, sugar, malnutrition), bacterial invasion (infection, fecal transplant), and autonomic inputs (mindfulness, intention, stress) can change your gut health and empower you in making powerful health changes.

Enjoy the IWGR April Newsletter!

Zhiling Trowbridge MD, Medical Director

Could Your Gut Be the Root of Your Health Issues?

By: Kelly Peterson, ND

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I’ve seen time and again how symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, joint pain—even ADHD—can all trace back to one surprising source: your gut.

Your digestive system does far more than process food. It powers your immune system, balances your hormones, and even produces neurotransmitters that affect your mood. When things go off track, it can show up in places you'd never expect.

In my latest post, I’m breaking down six common health issues that might actually be gut-related—and why healing your gut could be the key to finally feeling better.

Read more to discover if your symptoms might be rooted in your gut—and what to do about it.

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Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: Understanding the Gut Boosters You Need

By: Danni Hamilton, ND

You’ve likely heard the terms probiotics and prebiotics tossed around in conversations about gut health—but what’s the difference, and why does it matter?

This post breaks down the unique roles these gut allies play in supporting digestion, immunity, mood, and more. From the powerful bacteria in probiotics to the fiber-rich fuel found in prebiotics, you’ll learn how they work individually—and together—to keep your gut in balance.

Discover which type is right for your health goals, what to look for in a supplement, and why a one-size-fits-all approach might not be the best path to a healthier gut.

Curious about how to nourish your microbiome and feel your best? Read the full post to find out what your gut really needs.

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IBS and Hypnosis: Can You Convince Your Brain to Calm Your Gut?

By: Zhiling Trowbridge MD

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be a frustrating and often misunderstood condition. For many, symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and unpredictable bowel movements persist despite normal test results. But what if your gut isn’t just reacting to food—it’s responding to your brain?

Recent research supports a powerful link between the gut and the brain, especially in IBS patients. With up to 40% of individuals also experiencing anxiety or depression, exploring treatments that target the nervous system makes sense.

One emerging approach? Hypnosis.

Gut Directed Hypnotherapy is recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) as an evidence based medical management practice for IBS.

Far from the dramatized versions seen on stage, hypnotherapy offers a focused, controlled method for addressing unconscious stressors that may be driving gut symptoms. Clinical studies have shown that gut-directed hypnotherapy can significantly reduce IBS symptoms—and those effects can last for months.

Curious how it works and whether it's right for you? In this blog, we explore how hypnosis taps into the brain-gut connection and why it’s gaining traction as a tool for long-term IBS relief.

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The 5R Approach to Gut Healing: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring Digestive Health

By: Zhiling Trowbridge MD

Your digestive system does more than just process food—it influences your immunity, mood, hormones, and overall vitality. If you're experiencing chronic symptoms and can't seem to find relief, your gut may be trying to tell you something.

Discover the 5R Framework for Gut Healing—a holistic, functional medicine approach designed to Remove, Replace, Repair, Reinoculate, and Rebalance your digestive health. From food sensitivities and enzyme support to microbiome balance and stress reduction, each step helps restore harmony from the inside out.

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