In our Denver-based functional medicine practice, we frequently see patients struggling with gut health issues, and one of the most common complaints is abdominal bloating. Many people report feeling bloated, even without having eaten anything, while others experience bloating after consuming seemingly harmless foods. This persistent and uncomfortable symptom can be incredibly frustrating, and I often hear patients say, "I look like I’m six months pregnant."

Many clients struggle to get the recommended levels of protein in daily…me too. At my house, we know that including healthy fats and protein in each meal, especially breakfast, sets a you up for a better day. This translates into more stable blood sugar, steady energy, stable moods, a sharp mind and feelings of satiety which means less snacking though the day. I know many traditional cereal based breakfasts (including oatmeal) are lacking in protein power. Here is a quick list of protein forward breakfast ideas to bring to the table. Pun intended!

One of my favorite tests that we run at Tendwell as part of the comprehensive functional medicine assessment is a stool analysis. We generally recommend Vibrant Wellness’ Gut Zoomer 3.0. This stool test looks at digestive enzyme levels, inflammatory markers, pathogens, and the total gut microbiome, among other things. One of these other things is a fecal zonulin test. This is a diagnostic test that measures the levels of zonulin in a person's stool sample. Zonulin is a protein that regulates the permeability of the intestinal barrier. What does this mean? It means that zonulin controls the openings between the cells of the intestinal lining, allowing nutrients to pass through while preventing the entry of harmful substances.

At Tendwell, we use a comprehensive approach to balancing the gut microbiome. “Test don’t guess.” We use advanced stool testing to fully assess your unique gut milieu. We can identify potential pathogens (parasites), Ph levels, digestive enzymes, and bile salt levels. We can see which gut “bugs” are deficient and which ones are present in abundance. It’s fascinating. And, above all, it helps us guide you to a personalized functional medicine treatment plan.

As we continue the journey of finding balance within our bodies, let’s discuss what happens when bacteria from your large intestine travels into your small intestines and makes a home there. Your small intestine facilitates the digestive process and works in concert with enzymes you need to digest food. Your large intestine uses bacteria to continue the final breakdown of the foods you take in. Water and salts are absorbed from the undigested material and any waste products left over are excreted. Occasionally, the bacteria which help your large intestines work properly get displaced and end up in your small intestine. This can cause a type of dysbiosis known as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), an often painful and very uncomfortable condition.

Wherever I turn these days, I encounter articles discussing the gut microbiome. This makes sense to me as a functional medicine and integrative medicine clinician. From day one in functional medicine education, we learn: “All disease begins in the gut.” This statement is attributed to Hippocrates, the father of medicine, from around 2,000 years ago. Amazingly, this message still rings true today. When the gut microbiome is disrupted, processes regulated by the gut, such as immunity and brain function, are impaired. This ultimately may lead to the development of chronic conditions such as autoimmune disease, metabolic dysfunction, and mental health issues, among many other health problems.