Gut Issues + Detox
We are not only what we eat – but also how we digest our food, absorb the nutrients and eliminate the wastes. There are many health problems that inhibit the body’s ability to carry out these integral processes and are indicative that something is wrong internally – such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, intestinal polyps, Crohn’s disease, reflux, bloating, heartburn, flatulence, SIBO, parasites, bacteria and yeast infections, constipation, diarrhoea and general digestive upsets.
Digestive health issues are on the increase, with antacid medication being the 3rd most popular medical prescription and 1 in 2 people showing some signs of gastrointestinal dysfunction – which may be as simple as not fully emptying their bowels every day, or as severe as colon cancer – it is essential that you look after “your insides” for reasons that go beyond the gut!
Research shows that the importance of the digestive system is more complicated than once thought. In addition to its digestive function, the gut is involved in the immune response (the “gut-immune” response with about 70% of our immune system found in the digestive tract) and in the function of the brain (the “gut-brain” response) with around 90% of our neurotransmitters especially serotonin our “happy hormone” being produced in the gut – which is why gut health is integral to our overall health.
Being labeled under the umbrella term “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” is a term that our practitioners like to label patients with – as there is always a cause for that “irritability”. We aim to identify the underlying cause to see why your gut is irritable and use an array of specific functional tests to find out why your symptoms are occurring and what we can do to resolve them.
In addition to a thorough consultation, your practitioner may order one of several comprehensive gastrointestinal health function tests – depending on your individual concerns.
- Bioscreen Faecal Microbial Analysis – to check for undergrowth of essential microbes and overgrowth of pathogenic microbes
- SIBO Breath Test – to assess for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Complete Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) – to assess digestive and absorption markers, inflammation markers, beneficial and other bacteria, yeast, parasites, antibiotic/natural agent sensitivities
- PCR Stool Multiplex – to test for the presence of parasites or other pathogenic bacteria
- Smart GUT – to assess the balance of your microbiome – the “good” bacteria in your gut
- Gastroinestinal Function Stool Testing (GiFX) – to assess beneficial bacteria, inflammatory markers, pathogens, immune markers in the gut
- Calprotectin – to assess inflammation in the gut
- Coeliac Gene Test – to identify possible coeliac disease and gluten sensitivity
- Intestinal Permeability – to assess leaky gut
- Helicobactor pylori – to assess for H.pylori commonly associated with reflux, indigestion, ulcers
Some of these tests are especially important as “dysbiosis” (imbalance of “good” and “bad” gut bacteria), parasitic, bacterial and fungal infections of the gut are increasingly common causes of gut problems – but these are often missed on simple pathology stool tests.
After a thorough assessment and appropriate testing has taken place, your practitioner will discuss the results and a comprehensive and individualised treatment plan to address the underlying causes of your gut issues, which may include diet, prescription-strength herbal and nutritional medicines, acupuncture or other specific treatments – depending on your specific needs.
If severe gut infections are diagnosed, your practitioner may refer you to our Holistic Doctor or Nurse Practitioner for specialised pharmaceutical treatment, together with natural treatment, to enhance treatment outcomes.
Meet the team of practitioners with a special interest in gut issues
- Jo Coates
- Lauren Marshall
- Julia Smith
- Jan Purser
- Caroline Wallace
- Dr Ruth Cullity
- Lauren Reid
- Jane Mangini
Clinical Detoxification
Why detox
In our modern world, our bodies are exposed to a cocktail of toxins on a daily basis, such as pollution, chemicals and heavy metals, which has a huge effect on our health and wellness. From lipstick to your morning coffee, peak hour traffic, pesticides in foods and the stress hormones we produce, we can’t avoid these toxins that overburden our detoxification processes, but we can effectively detoxify them and relieve your organs of detoxification from this toxic burden to kick-start your body back to optimal wellness.
A decreased ability to detoxify may contribute to a range of illnesses including allergies, chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue; digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease; hormonal issues such as PMS and menopausal symptoms; or skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. But you need not suffer from illness to do a detox program, as regular detoxification is beneficial for anyone who would like to improve his or her health. It is not a question as to whether you’ve been exposed to toxins – the question is whether or not these exposures have been significant enough to have an impact on your health. A detoxification or cleansing program is one way to “insure yourself”!
How to detox effectively
Remède’s approach to detoxification is different to other cleanses, as our focus is on improving all your detoxification systems (liver, digestive tract, kidneys, skin, lymphatics, lungs) and it does more than just give you a short-term fix! A clinical detoxification program stimulates and supports the body’s means of eliminating and processing hormones, chemicals and other substances that we are exposed to on a daily basis. It involves assisting the body to get rid of toxic build-up and toxic overload.
At Remède, we are experienced in making detox programs achievable, easy and safe. After assessing and testing your toxic load, bowel health and overall cellular health status with comprehensive testing, our detoxification specialist will structure an effective clinical detoxification dietary program that is delicious, achievable and effective.
You will also be prescribed effective supportive medicines to enhance the detoxification process to ensure that every cell in your body is cleansed…from top to toe.
The benefits of clinical detoxification
A detox program is a great “circuit-breaker” for bad habits that you may have accumulated and while dietary and lifestyle changes on a detoxification program are a must, you will feel so full of energy and vitality that by the end of it everyone will “want what you’ve got” and you will want to make it an annual event – which is what we recommend for optimal vitality and wellness!
Because a thorough clinical detoxification program improves your digestive health and liver function, your body is able to function more effectively and patients report a host of benefits, including:
- improved energy and vitality
- better bowel health
- weight loss
- improved mental clarity and memory
- better sleep
- improved skin and overall “glow”
- improved blood pressure and cholesterol
- less headaches
- improved libido
- better hormonal balance and less PMS
- improvement or resolution of chronic health issues