Your Gut Health and Why It Matters

Your Gut Health and Why It Matters

At Stratford Acupuncture & Wellness Center, we emphasize the vital role of gut health in overall well-being. If you’ve had a nutrition check-in with Joe, you’ve likely heard about the gut microbiome. But what exactly is it, and why is it so crucial to your health?

What is the Gut Microbiome?

The gut microbiome is composed of bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites that reside in the gut. With an estimated 100 trillion organisms and over 1,000 identified subspecies, these microbes play essential roles in digestion, immunity, and overall health.

The microbiome’s primary functions include:

Protection: Crowding out harmful pathogens to maintain balance.
Structure: Strengthening gut lining and supporting immune response.
Metabolism: Synthesizing vitamins and fermenting fiber into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which contribute to nutrition and inflammation control.

Types of Gut Microbes

Microbes in the gut fall into three categories:

Symbionts – Friendly organisms that provide balance and support digestive health.
Pathobionts – Opportunistic microbes that can cause harm under certain conditions.
Pathogens – Harmful bacteria and viruses that cause disease and inflammation.

The four major classifications of gut microbes—Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria—must remain in balance. When disruptions occur, it can lead to dysbiosis, an imbalance that negatively impacts health.

Understanding Dysbiosis

Dysbiosis occurs when the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, leading to issues such as:

Loss of beneficial bacteria
Decreased microbial diversity
Overgrowth of harmful microbes
Bacterial migration from the large to the small intestine (SIBO) (Ask Joe about our SIBO Supplement Protocol! Contact us here)

Common Causes of Dysbiosis

Antibiotic use (a major culprit)
Poor diet
Chronic stress
Excess alcohol consumption
Medications such as PPIs, NSAIDs, and steroids

Lifestyle factors play a significant role in gut health, influencing the risk of immune and metabolic diseases.

Symptoms of Dysbiosis

Since the gut is involved in nearly every bodily function, symptoms of dysbiosis can vary widely. Common signs include:

Digestive issues: Gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux
Metabolic concerns: Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Mental health effects: Anxiety, depression, brain fog
Skin conditions: Acne, eczema, psoriasis
Fatigue & joint pain
Autoimmune conditions (Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis)
Chronic infections & allergies

Diagnosing and Treating Dysbiosis

Joe takes a functional medicine approach to diagnose dysbiosis in patients through Functional Health Muscle Testing (Learn more about this service). Because there is no single “gold standard” test for gut health, multiple diagnostic methods may be used.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and want to take control of your gut health, we can help! Schedule an appointment online or text us at (203) 257-7550 to get started.