Hippocrates once said “all disease begins in the gut”,  we are now seeing how true this statement really is.  There are many foundational systems that depend on good gut health to function well. For instance, 80% of an individual’s immune system is found in the GI tract, and up to 90% of serotonin is produced there as well. Therefore, we often see that poor gut health complicates and worsens other conditions including mental health disorders, immune dysregulation, hormone dysregulation, among others.  We absorb nutrients in our gut, if our gut is inflamed or not functioning properly, key minerals and vitamins will not be absorbed and utilized.  We need these key cofactors for basic biochemical processes in our body.

For this reason, just about all Origins patients undergo a thorough GI evaluation.  The tests that are commonly used to workup and treat gut health may include a stool analysis, breath test, and organic acid profile.  Due to the interactions of the GI tract with multiple other systems in the body, most functional evaluations and treatments are foundationally anchored with the health of the gut.  If the gut is not functioning properly, it is more difficult to achieve wellness within other bodily systems.

GERD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Food Allergies / Intolerances

Yeast Overgrowth

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth

Skin is the largest organ in the body.  As physicians we look for clues in the skin when evaluating internal disease.  So it’s no surprise that oftentimes treating the skin means uncovering and treating root causes of inflammation, imbalance and nutrient deficiencies.

Therefore, evaluating hydration, gut health, hormone health, and nutrition, as well as stress and sleep habits are foundational to the treatment plan.

Eczema

Psoriasis

Dermatitis

Allergies

Today, 1 in 12 suffer from an autoimmune disease in the United States. It represents one of the fastest growing group of chronic disease in modern time.  The immune system is closely linked to mental health, endocrine function, cardiovascular health and growth and repair. Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own body.  The body loses the ability to differentiate self from non-self.  Some potential factors that have been shown to increase the body’s susceptibility to autoimmunity include: dysbiosis, heavy metals, chronic infections, environmental toxins, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, neuro endocrine disruptors, among others.  

The approach to any autoimmune disease is individualized due to the multiple causes for immune system dysregulation.  The overall goal is to identify and remove the factor that is causing the immune system to become upregulated.  Oftentimes there are multiple factors, which is why a systems biology based approach is necessary.

Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism

Lupus

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriasis

Sjogren’s Syndrome

The key components of cardiovascular risk reduction include inflammation reduction and improving metabolic health.  Key biomarkers are analyzed to stratify risk and assess for lipoprotein status as well as arterial wall inflammation (eg Lp(a)-P, hs CRP, Lp-PLA2, homocysteine and myeloperoxidase).

Treatment and risk reduction is centered around lifestyle changes to incorporate inflammation reducing eating plans, stress reduction, and resolution of root causes of inflammation. This may include evaluation of gut health, toxin exposure and hormone analysis.

Hypertension

Hyperlipidemia

Sleep Apnea

Metabolic Syndrome

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Hormone producing organs of the body (e.g. pancreas, thyroid, ovaries, testes, adrenals) secrete hormones which regulate a multitude of function including metabolism and reproduction. The central nervous system, through the control of the hypothalamus and pituitary sends signals to these organs for secretion. There is a chain of function that begins with the hypothalamus and pituitary and ends with the cell itself where the hormone is intended to act.  Imbalances of hormone production, transport, sensitivity and then detoxification can result in symptoms of hormone dysregulation.  Each of these steps are evaluated for missing or mismatched links, and treatment plans are centered on balancing this system and chain of function. This requires addressing issues in a systematic manner, and typically not jumping straight to hormone therapy.  As a last result, hormone therapy may be employed, but it is not the first step in treatment.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Obesity, Diabetes

Hypothyroidism

Adrenal Dysfunction

Female Hormone Dysregulation

Insulin Resistance

Almost every single person we see complains of some degree of difficulty sleeping, anxiety or depression.  This is not surprising, as about 1 in 5 adults suffer from at least one of these ailments.

Insomnia, depression and anxiety are disruptions in brain health.  This means that an evaluation of factors that affect brain health is at the foundation of the assessment.  This may include evaluations of nutrition, physical exercise, environmental toxins, spiritual health, genetic predispositions, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, gut health and interpersonal relationships.

Due to the many factors affecting mental health, it’s no surprise that many people are offered a medication to treat the symptom, as going through all the potential contributing factors are somewhat daunting. However, many people don’t always respond to antidepressant therapy (some say 30-40%). It is important to note, that some people greatly benefit from these medications and clearly thrive while on them, especially those with severe depression.  It is a personal decision to start or wean off of an antidepressant; which needs to be discussed with your healthcare provider.

A functional approach includes an evaluation of gut health, adrenal function, thyroid disease and vitamin deficiencies.  As well as lifestyle and dietary analysis to reduce inflammation and stabilize the mood and blood sugar. A truly multi-faceted approach is necessary to stabilize good brain health for the long term.

Insomnia

Anxiety

Depression

Inattention Disorders