When most people think about gut health, they think about food. Maybe they need to eliminate gluten. Maybe they have SIBO. Maybe they need probiotics, digestive enzymes, or more fiber. While all of those tools can be helpful, there's another piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: Your nervous system.
If you’ve been dealing with bloating, gas, or unpredictable digestion, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of SIBO—or you’ve been told everything is “normal” when it doesn’t feel that way. In this blog, we walk through it simply.
One of the most common themes we see in functional medicine is a compromised gut barrier—sometimes called “leaky gut,” but more accurately described as impaired intestinal integrity. This shows up clinically as bloating, food sensitivities, inflammation, fatigue, autoimmune flares, and even hormone dysregulation.
At Tendwell, we talk a lot about the gut—and for good reason. Your gut is not just about digestion. It’s central to immune function, hormone balance, brain health, and inflammation throughout the body. One of my favorite tools for getting a truly comprehensive picture of gut health is Vibrant Wellness’s Gut Zoomer 3.0.
Bone broth and collagen peptides both offer unique benefits. Bone broth is a time-honored, whole-food way to support gut, joint, and immune health, while collagen peptides provide a more potent and clinically studied approach to skin, hair, and connective tissue health.
At Tendwell, we know that true wellness starts in the gut. Your digestive tract is more than just a place where food is broken down—it's home to a complex ecosystem that influences everything from your hormones to your mood, immune resilience, and even how your body clears toxins. That’s why, when patients come to us with symptoms like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, or hormone imbalances, we often start by looking closely at the gut.
In functional medicine, we often say, “All health begins in the gut.” This is especially true when it comes to autoimmune conditions. Whether you're dealing with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis, there’s a common theme: immune dysregulation—and often, gut dysfunction lies at the root.
If you're low in iron or have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, you might assume that taking a daily iron supplement is the best way to rebuild your levels. Surprisingly, research now shows that taking iron supplements every other day — instead of daily — can actually lead to better absorption and fewer digestive side effects.
At Tendwell, we’re always looking to uncover the why behind symptoms—not just put a Band-Aid on them. One of the most powerful tools we use to do that is comprehensive stool testing. One of our favorite tests is the Gut Zoomer 3.0 from Vibrant Wellness because it gives us a detailed window into what's happening in the gut, far beyond what standard tests can tell us.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition that occurs when bacteria, which are normally present in the large intestine, begin to grow excessively in the small intestine. This imbalance can lead to a range of uncomfortable digestive symptoms and is often challenging to diagnose and treat effectively. Here, we’ll explore the symptoms, causes, and why treatment can be particularly tricky.
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."
A functional medicine doctor can offer a different approach to constipation treatment that aims to identify and correct the imbalances in the body that contribute to poor bowel function. Functional medicine is a systems- and evidence-based approach that considers the interactions between the environment, genetics, and physiology of each individual. A functional medicine provider can use comprehensive testing, detailed history taking, and personalized interventions to help patients with constipation achieve optimal digestive health and overall wellness. At Tendwell, we call this personal medicine.
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.
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide known for its effectiveness in killing weeds. However, its impact on human health and the environment has sparked concerns and debates in recent years. Many clinicians in the functional medicine community advocate avoiding glyphosate if possible. The FDA states that the trace amounts of glyphosate found in many foods (cereals, GMO soy products, wine) are not harmful, but perhaps, with repeat exposures—what functional medicine doctors call a chronic low-level toxicity—can have profound physiological effects.
Today I am going to highlight the health properties of the gorgeous pomegranate. It is one of the foods in regular rotation in our home, often in the form of juice. My 8-year-old is thrilled that he gets this treat, often mixed with sparkling water as a healthy beverage taken with a meal. (Though all juices can spike blood sugar, combining them with a meal tempers the glycemic effects). It only takes 3-4 oz of this powerhouse elixir to obtain health benefits. Pomegranate is such a great source of healthful properties that it can be considered a natural medicine. As with many other things, functional medicine doctors are always on the lookout for things we can do naturally that fit into our lifestyles to improve health. Pomegranates fit the bill nicely.
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.