Complete Health Institute

What Is SIBO and How Is It Different From IBS?

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:20:09 GMT

Introduction
What Is SIBO
What Is IBS
How SIBO and IBS Differ
Why the Two Conditions Are Often Confused
How Each Condition Is Diagnosed
Choosing the Right Testing Path
Common Misunderstandings About SIBO and IBS
A Realistic Example
Risks, Limitations, and Trade-Offs
What Typical Online Advice Overlooks
When to Consider Further Evaluation
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, a condition where excess bacteria grow in the small intestine, while IBS is a symptom-based diagnosis describing a pattern of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.
SIBO and IBS share many symptoms, including bloating, gas, and changes in bowel movements, which is why the two are frequently confused or misdiagnosed.
SIBO has a specific diagnostic test, a breath test measuring hydrogen and methane gas, while IBS is typically diagnosed by ruling out other conditions and matching symptom criteria.
Some people diagnosed with IBS may actually have undiagnosed SIBO, though not everyone with IBS-type symptoms will test positive for it.
Treatment approaches differ. SIBO treatment often targets bacterial overgrowth directly, while IBS management usually focuses on symptom control and trigger identification.

Introduction

SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is a condition where excess bacteria accumulate in the small intestine, while IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is a broader symptom-based diagnosis describing recurring abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. The distinction matters because the two conditions share overlapping symptoms but require different diagnostic approaches and, often, different treatment strategies. Many women dealing with ongoing bloating, gas, or unpredictable digestion in Agoura Hills and elsewhere have been told they have IBS without ever being tested for SIBO, which is one reason some providers offering functional medicine services include SIBO testing as part of a broader gut health evaluation.

This article explains what each condition actually is, how they differ, why they are so often confused, and what realistic testing and treatment paths look like, including their limitations.

What Is SIBO

Direct Answer: SIBO is a condition where bacteria that normally live in the large intestine grow in excess numbers within the small intestine, where bacterial counts are typically much lower.

The small intestine is designed to absorb nutrients, and it normally contains far fewer bacteria than the large intestine. When bacteria overgrow there, they can ferment carbohydrates prematurely, producing gas that leads to bloating, discomfort, and altered bowel movements.

SIBO is generally categorized by the type of gas produced. Hydrogen-dominant SIBO is more often associated with diarrhea, while methane-dominant overgrowth, sometimes called intestinal methanogen overgrowth, is more often associated with constipation. Some people have a mix of both patterns.

What Is IBS

Direct Answer: IBS is a diagnosis based on a specific pattern of symptoms, including recurring abdominal pain linked to bowel movements and changes in stool frequency or form, without a single confirmed underlying cause.

Unlike SIBO, IBS does not have one specific test that confirms it. Instead, healthcare providers typically diagnose IBS using established symptom criteria, most commonly the Rome IV criteria, after ruling out other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease.

IBS is often described by subtype, including IBS with constipation, IBS with diarrhea, or a mixed type, depending on the dominant bowel pattern.

How SIBO and IBS Differ

The table below summarizes the core differences, recognizing that the two conditions can also coexist in the same person.

A Functional Nutritionist does everything a Functional Medicine Practitioner does, but takes it to a whole new level by incorporating “Restorative Medicine.” This is holistic approach to health by incorporating food, sleep, stress, fitness, and toxic environmental factors, in the effort to reduce the risk of chronic disease.Functional Nutritionists use a systems-oriented approach by reviewing behaviors that may contribute to long-term health problems. By looking at all of these components, the functional nutritionist can use science, clinical expertise, and nutrition tools to encourage behavior modification and change to correct the root cause of the illness.

Functional Nutritionist Academy offers a fast track on-boarding step-by-step state of the art approach to becoming a Board Certified Functional Nutritionist.

For information go to : https://functionalnutritionistacademy.com

They provide an online board certification program accredited and recognized by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) certification No. 17204112 and the International Certification and Accreditation Board.

The course also offers continuing education units (CEU’s) for Acupuncturists, Chiropracters and Naturopaths.

About the Author

Think of the word “restorative”. A Functional Nutritionist seeks to restore peak performance of all systems of the body using a holistic approach to health by restoring proper gut function; eliminating dysbiosis, poor digestion, addressing Leaky Gut, SIBO, Candida or other infections as well as Biofilms. Functional Nutritionists recognize that certain foods can disrupt gut function and cause inflammation; therefore, they incorporate “Therapeutic Diets”, and seek to reduce inflammation which can cause many illnesses.

They improve sleep hygiene, stress management, fitness, and reduce toxic environmental factors, all in an effort to reduce the risk of chronic disease. They balance hormones with natural approaches, reducing the risk of cancer. Hormones include thyroid, adrenal, and endocrine (sex) hormones. They improve brain function through diet and lifestyle changes. They use epigenetics and genetic testing to avoid triggering gene expression, so their client will know what foods to avoid, or which are best , what medicines may be harmful, what nutritional supplements will help, what exercises are best incorporated all based on their genes.

Functional Nutritionist use a systems –oriented approach while recognizing the web-like connections between systems and reviewing behaviors that may contribute to long-term health problems. By looking at all of these components, the Functional Nutritionist can use science, Functional laboratory Tests, clinical expertise, and nutrition tools to bring back proper function of all systems of the body to peak performance, encourage behavior modification and change to correct the root (underlying) cause of the illness, which often has a root in poor diet, the wrong diet and poor lifestyle choices.

A key distinction is that SIBO describes a measurable physical process, while IBS describes a symptom pattern that can have multiple, sometimes overlapping, contributing causes.

Why the Two Conditions Are Often Confused

SIBO and IBS overlap significantly in how they present. Bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, and irregular bowel movements appear in both, which makes it difficult to distinguish them based on symptoms alone.

Research has explored how often people diagnosed with IBS also test positive for SIBO on breath testing, and findings vary depending on the population studied and the testing method used. This variability is one reason SIBO is sometimes underdiagnosed in people who have already received an IBS diagnosis without further testing.

Because IBS is defined by symptoms rather than a specific mechanism, some cases of IBS may actually represent undiagnosed SIBO, while others involve entirely different underlying factors.

How Each Condition Is Diagnosed

SIBO diagnosis typically involves a breath test, where a person drinks a sugar solution, usually lactulose or glucose, and breath samples are measured over several hours for hydrogen and methane gas. Elevated gas levels within a certain timeframe suggest bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.

IBS diagnosis relies on a structured symptom history and typically requires ruling out other explanations first. This process may include blood work, stool testing, or imaging, depending on the person's specific symptoms and risk factors.

In a functional medicine context, providers sometimes add broader functional lab testing to look at the wider gut environment, since digestive symptoms can stem from several overlapping factors beyond bacterial overgrowth alone.

Choosing the Right Testing Path

Deciding which test or combination of tests makes sense depends on the specific symptom pattern and prior evaluation. A practical way to think through this includes a few considerations.

First, determine whether prior testing has already ruled out more serious conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, since this is usually a necessary step before focusing on SIBO or IBS specifically. Second, consider whether a breath test for SIBO is appropriate, particularly if bloating is a dominant and persistent symptom. Third, weigh whether a broader stool-based test, such as a GI-MAP stool test , would add useful context about the broader gut environment, including markers related to gut lining function. Finally, factor in cost, since specialty testing is often not fully covered by insurance and should be weighed against the specific information it is likely to provide.

Common Misunderstandings About SIBO and IBS

Common belief: A negative SIBO breath test means small intestinal bacterial issues can be ruled out entirely. What is actually true: Breath testing has known limitations, including false negatives, and results can vary depending on test preparation and interpretation standards. Why the distinction matters: A single negative test does not necessarily rule out all bacterial or motility-related contributions to symptoms.

Common belief: IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion that means nothing is truly wrong. What is actually true: IBS is a recognized condition with a real physiological basis involving gut motility, sensitivity, and sometimes the gut-brain connection, even though it lacks a single confirmatory biomarker. Why the distinction matters: Dismissing IBS as "nothing wrong" can discourage people from pursuing symptom management strategies that may help.

Common belief: Treating SIBO with antibiotics or antimicrobials permanently resolves the problem. What is actually true: SIBO can recur, particularly when an underlying cause, such as impaired gut motility, is not also addressed. Why the distinction matters: Understanding this helps set realistic expectations about ongoing management rather than a one-time fix.

A Realistic Example

Consider a hypothetical woman in her sixties who has been told for years that she has IBS with constipation. Standard treatment recommendations, including increased fiber and over-the-counter remedies, have provided only partial relief.

A functional medicine evaluation might include a SIBO breath test, which could reveal methane-dominant overgrowth contributing to her constipation pattern. In this hypothetical case, treatment might shift to include options such as motility-focused support, sometimes discussed in relation to products like a gut motility support supplement, alongside dietary changes.

This does not mean every case of long-standing IBS is actually SIBO, or that identifying SIBO guarantees symptom resolution. It illustrates why further testing can sometimes reveal a more specific contributing factor in certain situations.

Risks, Limitations, and Trade-Offs

SIBO breath testing is not perfect. Results can be affected by diet before the test, certain medications, and differences in how labs interpret gas thresholds, which means false positives and false negatives are both possible.

Treating suspected SIBO with antimicrobials or antibiotics carries its own considerations, including potential effects on the broader gut microbiome and the possibility of recurrence if underlying motility issues are not addressed. This approach is generally less suitable as a first step for new or severe abdominal symptoms, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, or other warning signs, which warrant prompt medical evaluation rather than gut-specific testing alone.

A common trade-off is cost versus information gained. Specialty testing, including breath tests and stool-based panels, is often paid out of pocket, and the value of that information depends on how it changes the treatment approach.

What Typical Online Advice Overlooks

Many articles comparing SIBO and IBS present them as though a person has one or the other, when in practice they can coexist, and one can also be a contributing factor within a broader IBS diagnosis. This binary framing overlooks how commonly overlapping mechanisms occur.

General advice also tends to underplay how much interpretation matters in SIBO breath testing. Two people with similar gas readings might be treated differently depending on symptoms, medical history, and a provider's clinical judgment, not just the raw test number.

Finally, most simplified comparisons do not address recurrence. SIBO treatment that only targets bacteria without addressing motility, prior surgeries, or structural factors often needs to be repeated, which affects the overall cost and time commitment involved in managing the condition long term.

When to Consider Further Evaluation

Further evaluation for SIBO may be reasonable when bloating, gas, or altered bowel habits persist despite standard IBS management, or when symptoms consistently worsen after eating, which is a pattern more specific to bacterial overgrowth than general IBS.

New or severe symptoms, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool, or symptoms that wake someone from sleep should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare provider, since these can indicate conditions requiring more immediate attention than routine SIBO or IBS workup.

For ongoing digestive concerns without clear red-flag symptoms, some women choose a nutrition consultation to review diet patterns alongside any testing already completed.

Conclusion

SIBO and IBS are related but distinct. SIBO refers to a measurable overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, diagnosed through a specific breath test, while IBS is a broader symptom-based diagnosis without a single confirmatory test. Because their symptoms overlap so closely, some people diagnosed with IBS may have undiagnosed SIBO, though this is not true for everyone with IBS-type symptoms.

Understanding the difference helps set realistic expectations about testing options, treatment approaches, and the likelihood of recurrence. Neither condition has a guaranteed resolution, and the right next step depends on individual symptoms, prior evaluation, and how much testing and follow-up someone is prepared to pursue.

Considering SIBO or IBS Testing in Agoura Hills?

If ongoing bloating, gas, or bowel changes have not been fully explained through standard IBS management, a conversation with a qualified provider about SIBO testing may offer more clarity than general information alone. This is meant as an informational starting point, not a recommendation or guarantee of a specific diagnosis or outcome. Bringing a list of your symptoms and prior test results can help make that conversation more productive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Functional Medicine and How Is It Different From a Regular Doctor's Visit?

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:57:53 GMT

Key Takeaways

Functional medicine is an approach to care that looks for underlying causes of symptoms, rather than treating each symptom on its own.
A typical functional medicine visit involves more time, more detailed history-taking, and often broader lab testing than a standard 15-minute doctor's appointment.
Functional medicine and conventional medicine are not competing systems. Many people use both, depending on the health concern.
This approach is not a replacement for emergency care, surgery, or acute medical treatment, and it has real limitations that are worth understanding before choosing it.
The right fit depends on the type of health concern, the person's goals, and how much time and testing they are willing to invest.

What Is Functional Medicine
How Functional Medicine Differs From Conventional Medicine
What Is Integrative Health
Choosing Between Functional and Conventional Approaches
Common Misunderstandings About Functional Medicine
A Realistic Example
Risks, Limitations, and Trade-Offs
What Typical Online Advice Overlooks
When to Consider a Functional Medicine Evaluation
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying the underlying causes of symptoms, using detailed health history, lab testing, and lifestyle factors, rather than treating each symptom in isolation. This matters for women managing ongoing issues like fatigue, hormone changes, or digestive problems, because a standard appointment often leaves little time to explore how these symptoms connect. Practices offering functional medicine services in Agoura Hills and similar communities have grown in part because patients want more time with a provider and a broader look at what might be driving their symptoms.

This article explains what functional medicine actually involves, how it differs from a conventional doctor's visit, where integrative health fits into the picture, and what to realistically expect, including the limitations that matter before making a decision.

What Is Functional Medicine

Direct Answer: Functional medicine is a model of care that investigates the root causes of chronic symptoms by examining genetics, environment, lifestyle, and body systems together, rather than diagnosing and treating isolated symptoms.

The approach was formalized in part through the Institute for Functional Medicine, a professional organization that trains and certifies practitioners in this model. Functional medicine providers include medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed clinicians who have pursued additional training in this framework.

Instead of asking "what medication treats this symptom," a functional medicine visit tends to ask "what is happening in this person's body that is producing this symptom, and how are different systems connected." This often includes questions about diet, sleep, stress, past infections, medication history, and family health patterns.

This does not mean functional medicine rejects conventional diagnostics or medication. Many practitioners use standard lab work, imaging, and prescription medications alongside additional testing and lifestyle-based recommendations.

How Functional Medicine Differs From Conventional Medicine

Direct Answer: The main differences are visit length, the scope of testing, and whether the primary goal is managing a diagnosed condition or investigating what is contributing to a pattern of symptoms.

Conventional medicine, sometimes called allopathic medicine, is built around diagnosing a specific condition and applying an established treatment protocol, often within a fifteen to twenty minute visit. This model works well for acute illness, injury, infections, and situations where a clear diagnosis points to a clear treatment.

Functional medicine visits are typically longer, sometimes sixty to ninety minutes for an initial consultation, and focus on connecting symptoms across multiple body systems.

Time Spent With Patients

A conventional primary care visit is often structured around addressing one or two concerns within a limited time slot, largely due to how most primary care practices and insurance reimbursement models are structured. A functional medicine intake visit is generally longer because it covers extensive history, including diet, sleep, stress, and prior lab results.

This additional time allows a provider to look for patterns across seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, and digestive issues appearing together.

Diagnostic Testing Approach

Conventional medicine typically orders lab tests based on suspected diagnoses tied to standard reference ranges. Functional medicine often incorporates a wider panel of testing, sometimes through specialty labs, and may look at where a result falls within a range rather than only whether it is technically abnormal.

For example, a woman experiencing fatigue and brain fog during perimenopause might receive a standard thyroid test in a conventional visit. A functional approach might include functional lab testing that also looks at hormone patterns, nutrient levels, and inflammation markers to build a fuller picture.

Focus on Root Causes Versus Symptom Management

Conventional care frequently addresses symptoms directly, which is appropriate and often necessary, especially for acute or dangerous conditions. Functional medicine places more emphasis on identifying contributing factors, such as chronic inflammation, gut health, or nutrient deficiencies, that may be driving multiple symptoms at once.

Neither approach is inherently superior. They are designed to answer different questions.

What Is Integrative Health

Integrative health is a broader term that refers to combining conventional medical treatment with evidence-informed complementary approaches, such as nutrition counseling, stress management, or acupuncture, within a coordinated care plan.

Functional medicine and integrative health overlap significantly, since both emphasize the whole person rather than a single symptom. The distinction is that functional medicine specifically centers on identifying root causes through systems-based investigation, while integrative health is more about which combination of treatments and disciplines are used together.

In practice, many providers use both terms to describe similar work, and patients are unlikely to notice a meaningful difference in how care is delivered.

Choosing Between Functional and Conventional Approaches

Deciding which approach fits a given situation depends on the type of health concern, available time, and personal goals. The table below outlines general differences to consider, recognizing that many people use both approaches for different needs.

Functional Nutritionist Academy offers a fast track on-boarding step-by-step state of the art approach to becoming a Board Certified Functional Nutritionist.

For information go to : https://functionalnutritionistacademy.com

The course also offers continuing education units (CEU’s) for Acupuncturists, Chiropracters and Naturopaths.

About the Author

A practical way to approach this decision involves a few steps. First, identify whether the concern is acute or chronic. Second, consider whether previous conventional evaluation has already ruled out serious or dangerous causes. Third, weigh the time and cost of more extensive testing against the potential value of a broader picture. Finally, consider whether a combined approach, using both conventional diagnostics and functional medicine follow-up, may serve the situation better than choosing only one.

Common Misunderstandings About Functional Medicine

Common belief: Functional medicine can identify and treat any chronic condition that conventional medicine has missed. What is actually true: Functional medicine can sometimes identify contributing factors that were not previously investigated, but it does not guarantee a diagnosis or resolution, and some symptoms remain unexplained even after thorough testing. Why the distinction matters: Approaching functional medicine with realistic expectations helps avoid frustration and unnecessary testing costs.

Common belief: Functional medicine avoids medication entirely in favor of natural remedies. What is actually true: Many functional medicine providers prescribe medication when appropriate and combine it with lifestyle or nutritional recommendations. Why the distinction matters: Assuming otherwise can lead someone to delay necessary treatment for a serious condition.

Common belief: More lab testing always leads to better answers. What is actually true: Expanded testing can provide useful information, but it can also produce ambiguous results that require careful interpretation, and not every marker has strong research behind its clinical significance. Why the distinction matters: Understanding this helps set realistic expectations about what testing can and cannot clarify.

A Realistic Example

Consider a hypothetical woman in her early fifties dealing with ongoing fatigue, joint discomfort, and disrupted sleep during perimenopause. A conventional visit might address each symptom separately, perhaps checking thyroid function and recommending a sleep aid if needed.

A functional medicine visit might instead explore how hormone changes, nutrient status, stress, and sleep quality could be interacting. This might include a broader hormone panel or a nutrition consultation to review how diet and daily habits relate to her symptoms.

Neither path is guaranteed to resolve her symptoms. The functional approach may offer more context about contributing factors, while the conventional approach may move faster if a specific, treatable condition is identified early. In many cases, combining both provides the most complete picture.

Risks, Limitations, and Trade-Offs

Functional medicine has real limitations that are worth understanding before scheduling a visit. Extensive testing can be expensive, and much of it is not covered by insurance, since many functional and specialty lab panels fall outside standard medical necessity criteria used by insurers.

Some functional medicine claims exceed what current research supports, so it is reasonable to ask a provider what evidence exists behind a specific test or recommended supplement. This approach is generally less suitable for emergencies, acute infections, or situations requiring immediate intervention, where conventional care remains the appropriate first step.

A common limitation is that identifying a contributing factor does not always translate into a fast or complete resolution. Chronic symptoms often take time to improve, regardless of the approach used, and some symptoms may persist despite thorough evaluation.

What Typical Online Advice Overlooks

Much of the content comparing functional and conventional medicine online frames the two as opposing systems, when in practice, most patients benefit from moving between them depending on the situation. This framing overlooks the cost and time commitment involved in functional medicine, which can be significant for out-of-pocket testing and follow-up visits.

Generic comparisons also tend to skip over how much the quality of care depends on the individual provider's training and judgment, not just the model of care itself. A functional medicine provider who orders excessive testing without a clear rationale, or a conventional doctor who has limited time to explore lifestyle factors, both represent common gaps in the systems as typically practiced, rather than failures of the underlying model.

Finally, most online comparisons do not address how to sequence care. In practice, ruling out dangerous or urgent causes through conventional evaluation first, then exploring contributing factors through a functional approach, is often more practical than choosing one system exclusively from the start.

When to Consider a Functional Medicine Evaluation

A functional medicine evaluation may be worth considering when symptoms are chronic, span multiple body systems, or have not been fully explained after standard testing. This is common with fatigue, digestive issues such as those discussed in relation to IBS and functional medicine , unexplained weight changes, or ongoing hormonal symptoms during perimenopause and menopause.

It is generally less appropriate as a first step for new, severe, or rapidly worsening symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or any condition that could reflect a medical emergency. In those situations, conventional urgent or emergency care should be the first point of contact.

Related topics such as thyroid symptoms and general nutrition for health often come up during a functional medicine evaluation, since these areas frequently connect to the same underlying systems being assessed.

Conclusion

Functional medicine is an approach that investigates the underlying causes of symptoms through detailed history, expanded testing, and attention to how body systems interact, rather than focusing on a single diagnosis at a time. It differs from conventional medicine mainly in visit length, testing scope, and its emphasis on root causes over isolated symptom management, though the two approaches are not mutually exclusive.

Integrative health, a related but distinct term, refers to combining conventional and complementary approaches within one coordinated plan. Choosing between these models depends on the type of health concern, the urgency involved, and how much time and cost a person is prepared to invest. Neither approach guarantees a specific outcome, and understanding the trade-offs involved supports a more informed decision.

Ready to Learn More About Functional Medicine in Agoura Hills?

If you are trying to understand whether a functional medicine approach fits your health concerns, a conversation with a qualified provider can offer more specific context than general information alone. This is intended as an informational next step, not a recommendation or guarantee of any particular outcome. You are welcome to ask questions and evaluate whether this approach makes sense for your situation before deciding how to move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Thinning Skin? Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:24:37 GMT

Key Takeaways

Thinning skin is most often caused by natural aging, sun exposure, and hormonal changes such as those during menopause.
Long-term use of certain medications, especially corticosteroids, can also thin the skin over time.
Thin skin bruises and tears more easily, which raises the risk of injury, especially in older adults.
Prevention focuses on sun protection, gentle skin care, and supporting the skin's natural structure through diet and lifestyle.
There is no cure that fully reverses skin thinning, though some approaches may support skin health and reduce further damage.

What Causes Thinning Skin
Why Skin Becomes Thinner With Age
Hormonal Changes and Skin Thickness
Other Common Causes
Signs of Thinning Skin
Risks Associated With Thin Skin
Prevention and Skin Care Approaches
Is There a Cure for Thinning Skin
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Thinning skin is caused mainly by aging, sun exposure, and hormonal changes, along with factors like certain medications and genetics. For women in Agoura Hills and beyond, especially those going through menopause, this is a common concern because skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity over time, and estrogen decline speeds up the process.

Understanding why skin thins helps separate normal aging from changes that might need medical attention.

It also puts realistic prevention and skin care choices into context, rather than relying on products or claims that promise more than skin biology allows.

What Causes Thinning Skin

Skin is made up of several layers, and the middle layer, called the dermis, contains collagen and elastin. These proteins give skin its thickness and ability to bounce back after stretching.

As collagen and elastin production slows down, the dermis becomes thinner. This is a gradual process influenced by age, genetics, environment, and hormones, rather than a single cause.

Why Skin Becomes Thinner With Age

Collagen production naturally decreases as people get older. Research suggests collagen levels drop by about one percent per year after the mid-twenties, though this varies by individual.

Skin also loses some of its ability to retain moisture with age. Combined with reduced collagen, this leads to skin that looks and feels thinner, especially on the hands, arms, and lower legs.

Sun Exposure and Photoaging

Ultraviolet (UV) light breaks down collagen and elastin fibers over time. This process, called photoaging, is one of the most significant preventable contributors to thinning skin.

Years of sun exposure without protection can cause skin to thin faster than genetics alone would predict. This is why sun-exposed areas, like the face, neck, and forearms, often show more visible thinning than areas that are usually covered.

Hormonal Changes and Skin Thickness

Estrogen plays a role in collagen production and skin hydration. During perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen levels are associated with a measurable drop in skin collagen.

Some studies suggest women can lose up to thirty percent of their skin collagen in the first five years after menopause begins. This is one reason many women notice skin changes accelerating during this life stage, separate from ordinary aging.

Other Common Causes

Several other factors can contribute to thinning skin, sometimes independently of age or hormones.

Long-term use of topical or oral corticosteroids, which can thin skin as a known side effect
Smoking, which reduces blood flow to the skin and accelerates collagen breakdown
Certain medical conditions, including some autoimmune and connective tissue disorders
Nutritional factors, such as low protein or vitamin C intake, since vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis
Genetics, which influence baseline skin thickness and how quickly it changes over time

Signs of Thinning Skin

Thin skin often looks more translucent, and blood vessels underneath may become more visible. It can also feel more fragile to the touch.

Common signs include easy bruising, slower wound healing, and skin that tears from minor bumps or friction. These signs tend to become more noticeable with age, particularly on the arms and hands.

Risks Associated With Thin Skin

Thin skin is more vulnerable to injury than thicker, younger skin. Even a minor bump against furniture can cause a bruise or a skin tear in someone with significantly thinned skin.

For older adults, this raises practical concerns, since skin tears can take longer to heal and may become more prone to infection if not cared for properly. This is one reason thinning skin is not just a cosmetic issue for many women, particularly later in life.

Functional Nutritionist Academy offers a fast track on-boarding step-by-step state of the art approach to becoming a Board Certified Functional Nutritionist.

For information go to : https://functionalnutritionistacademy.com

The course also offers continuing education units (CEU’s) for Acupuncturists, Chiropracters and Naturopaths.

About the Author

Prevention and Skin Care Approaches

There is no way to stop skin from thinning entirely, since aging and hormonal changes are natural processes. However, certain habits may help support skin health and reduce additional damage.

Sun Protection

Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen is commonly recommended to reduce UV-related collagen breakdown. This is considered one of the most consistent, evidence-supported prevention steps available.

Gentle Skin Care

Harsh scrubbing, hot water, and strong exfoliants can further stress already thin skin. Gentle cleansers and consistent moisturizing are generally better tolerated.

Skin Care Ingredients Worth Understanding

Some ingredients are commonly discussed in relation to skin structure and hydration. For example, some women use a vitamin C serum as part of a broader skin care routine, since vitamin C is involved in collagen production. Retinoid-based products, such as a retinol creme , are also frequently discussed for their role in skin turnover, though individual results and tolerance vary.

Nutrition and Collagen Support

Since collagen is a protein, adequate dietary protein is often mentioned in discussions of skin health. Some people also consider a collagen powder as part of their diet, though research on oral collagen supplementation is still developing and results are not guaranteed or consistent across studies.

Protecting Skin From Injury

Wearing long sleeves, using padding on furniture edges, and being mindful of movement in tight spaces can reduce the chance of skin tears for those with noticeably thin skin.

Is There a Cure for Thinning Skin

There is currently no cure that fully reverses thinning skin once it has developed. Aging-related and hormone-related skin changes are part of a natural biological process, not a condition with a single fix.

Some approaches, including certain skin care ingredients, in-office procedures, and lifestyle changes, are studied for their potential to support skin appearance and function. None of these are guaranteed to restore skin to its earlier thickness, and outcomes vary by individual.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Thinning skin on its own is often a normal part of aging, but certain signs warrant medical attention. These include skin that tears easily with minimal contact, wounds that heal very slowly, or unexplained, frequent bruising.

A skin health evaluation with a qualified provider can help determine whether thinning skin is related to typical aging, hormonal changes, medication use, or an underlying condition that needs separate attention.

Conclusion

Thinning skin is a common and largely natural part of aging, driven by declining collagen, sun exposure over time, and hormonal shifts such as those during menopause. Other factors, including certain medications, smoking, and nutrition, can also play a role.

While there is no guaranteed way to reverse thinning skin, understanding its causes helps set realistic expectations for prevention and care. Sun protection, gentle skin care, and attention to overall health are commonly discussed strategies, though individual needs and results differ.

If you're noticing changes in your skin and want a clearer understanding of what might be contributing to it, speaking with a qualified provider can offer more personalized context than general information alone. This kind of conversation is meant to support informed decisions, not to pressure you into any particular treatment or product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause?

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:58:06 GMT

Understanding the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause
Why Hormonal Changes Affect Muscles and Joints
Common Signs and Symptoms
How This Differs From Normal Aging
Who Is Affected and When It Typically Begins
Evaluation and Diagnosis Considerations
Lifestyle Factors Worth Understanding
When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause refers to a group of joint, muscle, and connective tissue changes linked to declining estrogen during perimenopause and menopause.
Common signs include joint stiffness, muscle loss, tendon pain, and a higher risk of injuries such as frozen shoulder.
These changes are related to hormonal shifts, not simply "getting older," though age and hormones often overlap.
No single test diagnoses this condition on its own. A broader picture, including symptoms, history, and sometimes lab work, is usually needed.
Talking with a qualified healthcare provider is the most reliable way to understand what is happening in your specific case.

Introduction

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause is a term used to describe joint pain, muscle loss, and connective tissue changes that many women notice during perimenopause and menopause. It is tied to the drop in estrogen that happens during this transition, since estrogen plays a role in muscle, tendon, and joint health. For women in Agoura Hills and elsewhere who are dealing with new aches, stiffness, or a feeling that their body is not recovering the way it used to, understanding this term can help put a name to something real, rather than something to dismiss as "just aging."

This topic matters because musculoskeletal symptoms are often overlooked or misattributed during menopause. Many women are told their joint pain is unrelated to hormones, when research suggests otherwise. Getting a clearer picture of what is happening in the body can support better conversations with healthcare providers and more informed decisions about care.

Understanding the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause

The term was introduced to describe a pattern of symptoms, rather than a single diagnosis with one clear test. It groups together joint pain, muscle loss, tendon and ligament changes, and a higher likelihood of certain injuries during the menopause transition.

This is not a formal diagnosis in the same way as, say, osteoarthritis. It is more of a framework that helps explain why so many women experience musculoskeletal symptoms around the same time their hormones shift.

Why Hormonal Changes Affect Muscles and Joints

Estrogen receptors exist throughout the musculoskeletal system, including in muscle tissue, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. When estrogen levels decline, several tissues can be affected at once.

Estrogen appears to play a role in:

Muscle protein synthesis, which supports muscle repair and maintenance
Collagen production, which affects tendon and ligament strength
Joint lubrication, through its influence on synovial fluid
Bone density, which is separate from but related to joint health

When estrogen drops during perimenopause and menopause, these processes can slow down or become less efficient. This does not happen the same way or at the same pace for every woman.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms vary, and not every woman experiences all of them. Some are mild, while others are noticeable enough to affect daily activities.

Joint Pain and Stiffness

Joint pain, sometimes called arthralgia, is one of the most frequently reported symptoms. It often affects the hands, knees, hips, and shoulders, and tends to be worse in the morning.

Muscle Loss and Weakness

A gradual decline in muscle mass, sometimes called sarcopenia, can accelerate during menopause. This may show up as reduced strength, slower recovery after activity, or a general sense of weakness.

Tendon and Connective Tissue Changes

Tendons and ligaments may become stiffer or more prone to injury. Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is reported more often in women during this life stage than at other times.

Increased Injury Risk

With changes in muscle strength and joint stability, some women notice a higher likelihood of strains, sprains, or slower healing after minor injuries.

How This Differs From Normal Aging

Aging on its own does bring changes to muscles and joints, regardless of hormonal status. What sets the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause apart is the timing and the specific role that estrogen decline appears to play.

Some women notice a fairly sudden shift in symptoms around perimenopause, rather than a slow, steady decline typically associated with aging alone. This distinction matters because it suggests hormonal factors, not just the passage of time, may be contributing to what a woman is experiencing.

Functional Nutritionist Academy offers a fast track on-boarding step-by-step state of the art approach to becoming a Board Certified Functional Nutritionist.

For information go to : https://functionalnutritionistacademy.com

The course also offers continuing education units (CEU’s) for Acupuncturists, Chiropracters and Naturopaths.

About the Author

Who Is Affected and When It Typically Begins

Musculoskeletal symptoms tied to menopause can begin during perimenopause, often years before a woman's final period. Reported prevalence varies across studies, but joint and muscle symptoms are consistently among the most common complaints during this transition.

Factors that may influence severity include overall health history, activity level, prior joint or muscle conditions, and individual hormonal patterns. There is no fixed age or timeline that applies to every woman.

Evaluation and Diagnosis Considerations

Because there is no single lab test that confirms this syndrome, evaluation typically involves a combination of factors. A healthcare provider may review symptom history, physical activity, menstrual history, and sometimes order hormone lab testing to get a fuller picture of what is happening hormonally.

Some providers may also recommend a more detailed hormone panel test to look at estrogen and related hormone levels alongside reported symptoms. Lab results alone do not diagnose musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. They are one piece of a larger evaluation.

It is worth noting that joint and muscle symptoms can also stem from other conditions, including autoimmune disorders or nutrient deficiencies. Ruling these out is typically part of a thorough evaluation.

Lifestyle Factors Worth Understanding

While this article does not offer guarantees about outcomes, there are general lifestyle factors that researchers and clinicians often discuss in relation to musculoskeletal health during menopause.

Resistance training and weight-bearing activity are commonly associated with muscle and bone maintenance.
Adequate protein intake is often discussed in relation to muscle repair.
Sleep quality can influence recovery and pain perception.
Some women explore options such as a nutrition consultation to review how diet may relate to their overall health during this transition.

These factors are general considerations, not a personalized treatment plan. What works for one woman may not apply to another, and any changes to diet or exercise should take individual health history into account.

When to Talk to a Healt hcare Provider

If joint pain, muscle weakness, or stiffness is new, worsening, or interfering with daily life, it is reasonable to bring this up with a healthcare provider. This is especially true if symptoms appear alongside other signs of perimenopause or menopause, such as irregular periods, hot flashes, or sleep changes.

A provider familiar with hormonal health, such as those offering functional medicine services , may be able to help sort through whether symptoms are related to hormonal shifts, aging, another underlying condition, or some combination of these.

Persistent or severe pain, sudden loss of joint function, or signs of injury should always be evaluated promptly, regardless of suspected cause.

Conclusion

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause describes a real and increasingly recognized pattern of joint pain, muscle loss, and connective tissue changes linked to declining estrogen during the menopause transition. It is not the same as ordinary aging, though the two can overlap and are sometimes hard to separate.

Understanding this term does not replace a proper medical evaluation, but it can help women recognize that their symptoms may have a hormonal component worth discussing. Informed conversations with a qualified healthcare provider remain the most reliable way to understand individual symptoms and appropriate next steps.

If you are trying to make sense of new joint or muscle symptoms during perimenopause or menopause, learning more about this topic before your next appointment can help you ask better questions and make informed decisions about your care. This information is intended to support that process, not to replace personalized medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anti-Inflammatory Remedies - Top 10 Anti-inflammatory Foods

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:37:11 GMT

Learn about the top 10 anti-inflammatory foods. In general, we have our COX pathways. Now, Arachidonic acid can feed those pathways. A lot of excess, junky, refined Omega-6 from animal products can definitely feed those pathways. That sets the table like gas in the kitchen where a little spark can take it off.

If you need to reach out to talk about your pain and inflammation issues, click this link to schedule a chat with me! or call 818.707.3126 Dr. Teresa Rispoli.

Where to find anti-inflammatory agents:

Click here to consult with a functional nutritionist for recommendations on natural pain relievers and treatments.

3. There is also curcumin but liposomal curcumin is better due to the absorption or something with black pepper in it helps with absorption, too.

1. Natural herbs like ginger can help with COX-1.

2. Fish oil is excellent for COX-2 at high doses. If you do high doses of fish oil, you can increase what’s called lipid peroxidation because fish oil is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It’s more unstable. It’s got more double bonds in it. Omega-3 means three double bonds. The more double bonds that are they are, the more unstable the fatty acid is to heat things like that and the more, let’s say it can be oxidized. So, having extra vitamin C or extra vitamin D on board when you’re taking extra fish oil just to make sure you don’t have oxidation is great, and we already talked about things like systemic enzymes.

4. Frankincense or Boswellia

6. There are things like Tylenol but Tylenol works more on the central nervous system perception. So, it decreases the nervous systems’ perception of pain. Note: We have to be careful of Tylenol as it can actually chronically reduce glutathione. So, if you’re taking Tylenol longer-term, you definitely want to take it with NAC and/or some glutathione, just to be on the safe side.

5. White willow bark which is kind of how aspirin is naturally made though aspirin works more on COX-1. So, aspirin can be your other natural source and you can do white willow bark which is the natural form of aspirin.

7. At the extreme example, we have opiates which block pain receptors in the brain, the opiate perception of the brain. It’s not the best thing because you’re just decreasing perception of pain. Obviously, the opiates are way more addictive.

8. We can block some of these natural pain perceptions with CBD oil. So, CBD is another great way to reduce the perception of pain.

In general, we want you to try to do more of the herbals and more of the natural stuff out of the gates because that really, really, really can help reduce inflammation.

If you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injury, or you’re just trying to heal maybe postoperation, these things may be something to implement and then obviously work in all the other root causes, too. You are not just what you eat. You are what you digest from what you eat.

10. You might also remove nightshades as they contribute to arthritis and pain syndromes in some people. These are things like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers.

9. So, if you’re doing all these good nutrients, but you’ve got some type of malabsorption issue in the gut, you’ve got ridges on your fingernails, you’ve got thinning hair or falling out here, you may need to look deeper at the gut and find more root cause that triggered your inflammation.

Optimize Thyroid Health Naturally: Why You Still Have Symptoms

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:31:29 GMT

Thyroid hormones influence nearly every organ system in the body, encompassing the heart, central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, skeletal structure, gastrointestinal tract, and metabolism. So optimal function is essential.

Thyroid symptoms can vary between individuals and can include:

Fatigue
Occasional constipation
Weight gain, difficulty losing weight
Intolerance to cold, cold hands and feet
Dry skin
Dry, thinning hair or hair loss
Mood concerns
Joint and muscle discomfort
Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles, fertility concerns
Slowed heart rate
Low libido

Why You Still Have Symptoms When Your Thyroid Test Are Normal

Four hormones have been identified to be secreted by the thyroid, T1, T2, T3, and T4. The two primary hormones are thyroxine (T4), a prohormone, and triiodothyronine (T3), which is 300 times more biologically active than T4.

Successful conversion of T4 to T3 relies heavily on transport proteins, along with nuclear receptors and selenium-dependent enzymes known as deiodinases. These three players are crucial to homeostasis at the cellular level as they coordinate the uptake, activation and deactivation of thyroid hormone within the cell.5

Conversion of T4 to T3 occurs primarily in the liver and kidneys, but also within the gut, bones, muscles, adipose tissue, heart and CNS.6, 7, 8.

Eighty percent of the T3 found in circulation is produced by peripheral conversion from T4.4 A number of lifestyle, environmental, and dietary factors can inhibit this conversion and lead to symptoms.4, 9, 10, 11, 12

T4 to T3 conversion influences all tissues within the body, as they are dependent on T3 for normal cell function.

In line with standard practices, practitioners commonly rely on TSH and T4 levels to screen for thyroid concerns. While these markers play important roles, they don’t tell the whole story.

Getting to the root of an individual’s symptoms requires investigating what is occurring further down the thyroid hormone pathway at the cellular level, and why. This begins with understanding that although TSH and T4 levels can provide insight into thyroid gland function, they don’t reflect:

Alterations in cellular sensitivity to thyroid hormones
Inadequate peripheral conversion of inactive T4 to metabolically active T3
Poor uptake of thyroid hormones into the mitochondria
Activity of rT3, anti-thyroid antibodies or environmental factors which can displace thyroid hormones and prevent their binding to cellular receptors.

Any one of these factors along with impaired T4 to T3 conversion, or fluctuation in T3 and rT3 levels can trigger changes in an individual long before TSH or T4 are outside their respective reference ranges.

Expanding the assessment of thyroid function beyond TSH and T4 can provide insight into what is happening peripherally to T4.

The following markers can provide evidence of suboptimal thyroid function:

FREE T3 AND FREE T4

Measuring total thyroid hormones provides the sum of both the free thyroid hormone and thyroid hormone bound to a protein; however, it does not differentiate how much of that hormone is available for uptake by the cells. A hormone bound to a protein is inactive. Only the free T4 and free T3 tests measure the levels of thyroid hormones in circulation that are available to cells.

REVERSE T3

rT3 can be produced in response to physical or emotional stress. Free T3 and rT3 can both bind to thyroid receptors on the cell. When rT3 binds to thyroid receptors, it inactivates them and prevents the metabolically active hormone T3 from binding to receptors.

THYROID ANTIBODIES

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO antibodies) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TG antibodies) can be produced when the body begins to lose “self-tolerance”. Thyroid antibodies can be present long before aberrations are seen in TSH and T4.

ADRENAL PANEL

Elevated urinary cortisol metabolites have been associated with diminished peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism.14

Examining the role stress plays in thyroid function in each client is foundational for any thyroid care plan by a Functional Nutritionist.

Various nutrients participate in the synthesis, metabolism, and mechanisms of action of thyroid hormones in order to optimize thyroid health naturally.

Curcumin helps to neutralize free radicals that may affect iodothyronine 5’-monodeiodinase enzyme activity, the limiting factor in the conversion of T4 to the more active T3 hormone.14

Vitamins A and D help to maintain healthy thyroid cell metabolism and support triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormone function.15, 16

Ashwagandha helps maintain healthy thyroid function and relaxation as suggested in preliminary research.17

Forskolin in coleus extract has been shown to support thyroid hormone metabolism in preclinical models, potentially by promoting adenylate cyclase activity.

Zinc and Selenium help to maintain healthy thyroid cell metabolism and support triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormone function.19, 20 Selenium has also been shown to help to neutralize free radicals that may affect iodothyronine 5’-monodeiodinase enzyme activity, the limiting factor in the conversion of T4 to the more active T3 hormone.13

Probiotics support healthy intestinal microflora to promote digestive and immune health.

To Optimize Thyroid Health: Look at the Whole Pathway

Inhibitors of T4 to T3 Conversion

Looking Beyond TSH and T4

Nutrients to Support Thyroid Function

Comprehensive Thyroid Support

Thyrotain includes a multidimensional blend of nutrients and botanicals to help maintain healthy thyroid function.

Clinical Applications

Helps to Maintain Healthy Thyroid Function
Promotes the Synthesis of Thyroid Hormones
Helps Support Conversion of T4 to T3
Improves Cellular Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormones
Supports a Healthy Inflammatory and Antioxidant Balance

Thyrotain is a comprehensive formulation that provides a blend of nutrients and botanicals working in synergy to support thyroid health.

Thyrotain includes L-tyrosine and iodine, which make up the backbone of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The addition of zinc, selenium, vitamin A, and the botanical guggulipid activate enzymes that enhance the conversion of T4 into the active thyroid hormone T3. Vitamin A and zinc also help improve cellular sensitivity to thyroid hormones. Turmeric, along with the antioxidants vitamin C and E and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), provide a powerful combination of antioxidants that boost thyroid health by reducing free radical stress.

Suggested Use:

4 capsules per day or as recommended by your health care professional.

The above information is intendent for educational purposes.

Get The Whole Picture by Getting a Complete Thyroid Panel

I recommend you be evaluated with a Functional Nutritionist like myself who is educated in thyroid health using a functional approach. Conventional doctors only look at TSH & T3 because they are not taught in the nutritional aspects of balancing the thyroid. Whereas Functional Nutritionists will perform a Complete Thyroid Panel so they can take a look at the other factors influencing your thyroid and recommend the appropriate diet, lifestyle and supplement therapy to bring your thyroid back into balance without medicine.

Dr. Teresa Rispoli, DCN, L.Ac.,

30 Years in Holistic Health & Beauty!

If you are looking to have more energy, better brain function, focus, performance, endurance, or want to optimize your hormones with natural approaches then you are in the right place. If you need help with your health, have gut issues; SIBO, Leaky Gut, Candida, IBS, immune system, Autoimmune issues, or skin disorders, Dr. Rispoli is highly trained and skilled in Functional Medicine, and holistic approaches to healing.

Click Here to book a Functional Medicine Consultation.

Optimizing Nutrition for a Healthier Lifestyle

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:28:19 GMT

Achieving a healthier lifestyle often starts with improving your nutrition. Whether you're aiming to boost your energy levels, manage your weight, or enhance your overall well-being, understanding the fundamentals of nutrition is key. In this guide, we'll dive into practical steps to optimize your diet and make sustainable changes.

Introduction

Nutrition is the foundation of health. Consuming the right nutrients in the right amounts can:

Improve energy and focus
Support a strong immune system
Maintain a healthy weight
Reduce the risk of chronic diseases

Understanding what your body needs helps you make informed choices that align with your health goals.

Before making changes, it's important to evaluate your current diet. Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I consuming a balanced mix of macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates)?
Do I eat enough fruits and vegetables daily?
How much water do I drink?
Are there any processed foods or sugary snacks I rely on too often?

Keeping a food diary for a week can provide valuable insights into your eating habits.

A balanced diet includes all the essential nutrients your body needs. Here's how to get started:

1. Incorporate Whole Foods

Focus on whole, unprocessed foods such as:

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Whole grains (e.g., brown rice, quinoa, oats)
Lean proteins (e.g., chicken, fish, beans)
Healthy fats (e.g., avocado, nuts, olive oil)

2. Portion Control

Even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if eaten in large quantities. Use tools like measuring cups or visual guides to ensure proper portion sizes.

3. Stay Hydrated

Water plays a critical role in digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, or more if you're physically active.

4. Limit Processed Foods

Cutting back on processed and fast foods can reduce your intake of unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium. Opt for home-cooked meals whenever possible.

For those unsure where to begin, consulting a nutritionist can provide personalized guidance. Nutritionists assess your unique needs and create tailored meal plans to help you achieve your goals.

Why Is Nutrition Important?

How to Assess Your Current Eating Habits

Building a Balanced Diet

The Role of Nutritional Coaching

Tips for Sustainable Changes

Making lasting changes requires a gradual and consistent approach:

Set realistic goals: Start with small, achievable objectives.
Plan meals: Prepare a weekly menu to avoid last-minute unhealthy choices.
Practice mindful eating: Pay attention to hunger cues and savor your meals.
Seek support: Share your goals with friends or family to stay motivated.

Optimizing your nutrition is a journey that takes time and commitment. By focusing on whole foods, staying hydrated, and seeking personalized advice when needed, you can achieve a healthier lifestyle. Remember, small, consistent changes lead to significant long-term results.

Common Questions About Nutrition

Conclusion

Beating IBS with Functional Medicine

Sun, 29 May 2022 16:17:25 GMT

For IBS, Leaky Gut, SIBO, Food Sensitivities, Yeast, Gas, Bloating, Refux and Heartburn

- by Dr. Teresa Rispoli, ND, PhD., LAc.

Over ten million Americans have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That's 10-20 % of the population. IBS is characterized by a group of symptoms in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, and /or hard less frequent bowel movements or constipation. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen (belly), bloating, gas, and constipation or diarrhea, or both. Other symptoms include an urgent need to move the bowels and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. These symptoms unfortunately, come and go over days, weeks, months, or even years.

Criteria For Being Diagnosed The criteria for being diagnosed with IBS , based on the modified Roma criteria:

Your symptoms must have begun at least 6 months ago
You have stomach pain or discomfort for at least 3 days a month for the last 3 months
At least two of the following statements are true: Pain is relieved by having a bowel movement; pain is linked to a change in how often you have a bowel movement; pain is linked to a change in the appearance of your stool.

Abdominal pain is present for at least 12 weeks (not necessarily consecutive, abdominal pain cannot be explained by a structural or biochemical abnormality and has at least two of the following three features: (1) pain is relieved with defecation, and its onset is associated (2) with a change in the frequency of bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation) or (3) with a change in the form of the stool (loose, watery, or pellet-like).

There Are Three Types of IBS:

Some people have constipation (IBS-C).
Some have diarrhea (IBS-D)
Some alternate between diarrhea and constipation (IBS-A).

Causes of IBS IBS symptoms result from a disturbance in the interaction between the gut or intestines, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory function.

Mechanism of IBS Food moving through the digestive tract passes from the small intestines to the colon. The main function of the colon is to absorb water. Muscles in the colon usually contract in a way that pushes stool (waste products) through. In IBS, these muscles contractions may be abnormal. Too many contractions may cause diarrhea. Slowed or fewer contractions may cause constipation. Irregular or intermittent (spasmodic) muscle contractions may cause pain or a feeling of urgent need to move the bowels (go to the bathroom).

Researchers suggest that IBS patients have extra sensitive pain receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be related to low levels of serotonin. Decreased levels of serotonin may help explain why people with IBS are likely to be anxious or depressed. Studies show that as many as 94%of IBS patients meet the diagnostic criteria for depression, anxiety, or panic disorder. Many people find that stress triggers their symptoms. Certain foods or eating too much or too little may also cause the colon to overreact.

Traditional Treatments Traditional drugs can have devastating side effects. IBS is not a disease; it is a symptom of a compromised gastrointestinal system. Using potentially dangerous drugs to reduce symptoms, while ignoring natural often more effective approaches, is typical of what is wrong with (symptom focused) medicine.

Functional Medicine Approach to IBS The key for IBS, like most chronic conditions is to treat the underlying cause(s) of the symptoms. Diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, stomach pains, are all warning signs that something isn't working correctly. Focusing on correcting the underlying triggers of IBS symptoms leads to elimination of the problem. I find that IBS usually disappears, or dramatically improves, rather quickly once my patient's correct their poor eating habits (increase fiber, reduce simple sugars, caffeine and junk foods), uncover any hidden food allergies or sensitivities, especially gluten intolerance and dairy, treat parasites, yeast or bacterial overgrowth issues, boost optimal stress coping nutrients (serotonin, magnesium, B-vitamins, etc. restore bowel ecology (prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, and optimize their digestive enzymes.

PHASE 1 — REMOVE

1. STRESS / BALANCE ADRENALS

Take Diagnos Tech's ASI Test to determine stage of adrenal stress

2. MICROBES (Bacteria, yeast, parasites)

Take Doctor's Data CSAP3 test if microbes are suspected

3. FOOD SENSITIVITIES

Elimination Diet
Take Cyrex Array 10 Multiple Food Reactivity Screen

4. TAKE DRUGS OR HERBS to eradicate identified pathogens

5. ELIMINATE GMO foods and xenobiotics

6. INFLAMMATION

Turmeric
Resveratrol
Vitamin D
CBD / Hemp oil

PHASE 2 — REPLACE

1. DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

Plant or brush border enzymes
Pancreatin (lipase, amylase, protease)
Prescription enzymes

2. HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Betaine HCL: 500-3500 mg with protein-containing meal

3. BILE ACIDS

4. BOTANICALS

Bromelain: 1200-2400 MCU, 250-500 mg with meals
Papain: 50,000 USP units/mg, 100-200 mg with meals
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): 500-2000 mg before meals
Swedish bitters: 1-2 ml before meals

PHASE 3 — REINOCULATE

Probiotics such as Spore Biotics
Prebiotics: inulin, FOS, arabinogalactans
Postbiotics: butyrates (Tributyrin-X)
Fiber: chia seed, ground flax seed, psyllium
Saccharomyces boulardii (if diarrhea present)

PHASE 4 — REPAIR

Repair Leaky Gut and Detox Liver
Repair lining of GI tract with key nutrients needed for cellular healing.

Immune Support:

Whey protein
Colostrum
Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin

Antioxidants:

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Alpha-lipoic acid
Coenzyme Q10

Anti-inflammatories:

Curcumin
Fish oil

Mucosal Healing Agents:

L-Glutamine
N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine
Aloe Vera extract
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root extract
Slippery elm
Mucin
Marshmallow
MSM
Quercetin

PHASE 5 — REBALANCE

Lifestyle Change - Restore Balance

Adequate sleep
Mindful eating
Balanced brain and nervous system

Therapies & Practices:

Heart rate variability (HRV) training
Heart Math
Acupuncture
Yoga
Tai Chi
Prayer
Meditation

Food Allergies, Sensitivities and Intolerance Food allergies can contribute to a number of unwanted health conditions, including IBS. Identifying and then avoiding potentially symptom-triggering foods can be extremely helpful to calm GI inflammation while healing the gut wall.

Food Sensitivity Related Health Conditions Include:

Headaches including migraines
Eczema & psoriasis, skin rashes
Diarrhea & constipation
Colitis, IBS, bloating, gas, and stomach pain
Hyperactivity
Rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain
Gout
Chronic pain
Edema or fluid retention
Ear infections
Anxiety, depression, panic attacks

Food allergies are often considered rare or aren't even acknowledged as a cause of IBS symptoms, by many traditional doctors. Traditional allergists just measure IgE with a skin prick test. This is for immediate allergies. They don't however, measure delayed sensitivities to foods, which account for 95 percent of all food allergies. These delayed responses occur one hour to three days after eating the allergic foods and are measured using a different antibody, IgG 1-4.

For this reason, immediate IgE RAST, and skin-prick testing are inferior testing methods in comparison to tests that measure both immediate IgE and delayed IgG sensitivities. Test Food Allergies Using The Elimination Diet Another option for uncovering hidden food sensitivities is to to do a two-four week elimination diet. In this diet you eliminate all common allergy triggering foods, foods with pesticides and artificial ingredients. This can be challenging but if correcting your problem was easy, it would have already happened, right? For the next two-four weeks eliminate:

All diary products (except butter) including milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream
All corn and related products: corn syrup, popcorn, etc.
All gluten products: wheat, oats, barley, kamut, spelt, and all flours containg these.
All soy products (check labels for hidden soy)
All nightshade foods: white potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, tobacco and eggplant. Nightshades contain a poison similar to belladonna that may cause muscle or joint pain.

After two or four weeks of totally avoiding the foods listed above, begin to challenge one food group at a time, begging with dairy. For one day only, eat three or more servings of diary while still avoiding the other food groups. Then immediately return to the elimination diet for three days. Remember, most food allergies are delayed reactions and can take up to three days before any symptoms are experienced. Keep a diet journal on hand to record the foods you eat and any symptoms you experience while reintroducing the eliminated foods. After challenging diary (and waiting three days), challenge another food group: gluten, for instance. Have oatmeal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and buttered toast for a snack. Don't eat any other eliminated foods: you are only challenging gluten. Wait three more days before challenging another forbidden food group. If you have a severe reaction, totally eliminate the offending food group for six months. Then slowly reintroduce it back into your diet: Eat one small serving and wait a minimum of four days before eating another. Reactions may be avoided by slowly rotating these foods back into your diet. In the case of mild or moderate reactions, avoid the food group for one to three months (depending on the severity of your reaction) and then begin to reintroduce it. Note: There are some fixed allergens that can never be reintroduced. You should also know that gluten is extremely inflammatory to the gut lining and therefore should be avoided.

Dr. Coco's Pulse Test The food listed above re by fat the most common allergic foods. However, practically any food can trigger an allergic reaction. For this reason you might want to dig a little deeper to pinpoint sensitivities to specific foods. Foods can actually be tested by merely tasting them. If a food elicits a rise in the resting pulse rate, this is an allergic reaction. This is because the pulse is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and stress causes this system to increase blood flow and pulse rate. To use Dr. Coco's pulse test, you must first determine your resting pulse rate: Count your pulse for a fill minute while sitting still. (Sites commonly used to check the pulse are the underside of the wrist and the neck near the Adam's apple. It's best to check your pulse several times throughout the day and to notice if it changes at different times. Is it lower or higher in the morning or at night? To get the most accurate baseline, take your pulse in bed before rising, before breakfast, after breakfast, in the middle of the morning, before lunch, after lunch, in the middle of the afternoon, before dinner, after dinner, in the middle of the evening, and before bed. Your resting pulse is the pulse consistently found before eating, or an average of the lowest pulses most commonly recorded. Keep a food diary and record your pulse rate and any symptoms. Does a pattern emerge? If there is no consistent pattern, there may be too many interfering substances undermining the process. If so, try the elimination diet for four to five days. Along with the obvious elimination foods, foods or chemicals in question should also be avoided during this time.

Pulse Testing Foods While sitting quietly, take your pulse. Then challenge this pulse by chewing a small amount of food or food supplement (don't swallow) for a full minute. Liquids can be held and swished around in the mouth. After one minute take your pulse for a full minute. At the end of this time, expel the substance, and rinse out your mouth with pure water, which should also be expelled. Then take your pulse again. If it returns to the resting value, you can repeat the process with other substances. A positive-reaction food or supplement will elevate the pulse above six points. Avoid all such substances for two to three months. For someone who's been on a strict elimination diet for weeks, as rise of only one point may be significant. If other symptoms occur after testing, such as headaches, sore throat, or fuzzy thinking, this is also a positive test, and the food should be avoided for three to six months as well. Severe-reactions foods should be avoided for at least six months.

Rotation Diet Once someone becomes sensitive to foods, damage to the intestinal tract has most likely occurred. Repetitive exposure to the same foods may initiate allergic reactions. Left untreated, intestinal permeability (Leaky Gut) and over stimulation of the immune system can create allergies to almost any food. Therefore, a rotation diet helps reduce the chances of developing further allergies and damage to the GI and immune system. On this diet, you rotate (eat non-allergic foods) and rotate each food every 4 to 7 days. So if you eat a carrot (for example) today, you can't eat one for 4 to 7 days, as you are rotating your food groups. These are generally put into food groups, so you cannot eat from a food group more than every 4 days. It might be helpful to consult a nutritionist for help in devising a suitable rotation diet based on food groups.

Your Rotation Diet The allergy-testing labs my office recommends will supply you with a specific rotation diet based on your results. If you choose not to test with one of the labs then make your own rotation diet using the food groups listed above.; write out four different breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners. But make sure you're writing three days before repeating a food. Eating out can present a challenge, but I've found that most restaurants are able to accommodate your special needs once you mention your food allergies. Most delayed food allergies resolve themselves after three months of avoidance. Don't fall off the wagon and begin repetitively eating the same foods every day. Continue to rotate your diet to avoid creating new allergies.

Why Is Nutrition Important?

The Functional Medicine Approach to Digestive Health: 5R's 5-R Gut Restoration Program in Phases

Pin Pointing the Allergy-triggering Food

Protocol For Reducing Allergies

Uncover any hidden food sensitivities through the elimination diet, Pulse testing, or blood testing. Once uncovered, these foods should be avoided for one to six months, depending on the severity of your reactions.
Begin a rotation diet as described above to reduce the chances of developing further allergies and to give the immune system a rest
Treat any Leaky Gut (see more about this below)

Anti-histamine medications like Benadryl or Zyrtec can offer a welcomed relief from allergic reactions, and so can the leukotriene-blocking drug Singular. While these drugs are relatively safe, they do have potential side effects, which are generally mild. I encourage my patients to use the neti pot nasal rinse kit if nasal congestion , runny nose or post nasal drip.

Natural Remedies Several natural remedies can be helpful relieving the symptoms of food and seasonal allergies.

Yeast Overgrowth Syndrome - Candidiasis An overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract of the usually benign Candida albicans is becoming recognized as a complex medical syndrome called chronic candidiasis or yeast overgrowth syndrome. As many as one-third of the Western world's population may be affected by candidiasis. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut go getting yeast under control.

Candida Signs and Symptoms Candidiasis commonly infects the ears, nose, and urinary and intestinal tracts. Typical symptoms are constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, indigestion, skin rash, bladder spasms and infection, and ear and sinus infections. Because candida overgrowth is highly inflammatory to the GI tract and can cause Leaky Gut, there is a plethora of symptoms. Because of this it can it is difficult it diagnose without testing. It's not uncommon for yeast overgrowth to cause or contribute to depression, asthma, fatigue, mental confusion, weakened immune system, allergies, chemical sensitivities, hyperactivity, chronic ear and sinus infections, and adrenal fatigue. Antigens then trigger complex allergic reactions. This might explain why most people with chronic yeast overgrowth develop food, inhalant, and environmental allergies. Allergic reactions can manifest in a variety of symptoms: brain fog, cravings for sweets and carbs, gas, bloating, depression, joint pain, digestive disorders, headache, rash, and breathing problems. Inflammation of the nose, throat, ears, bladder, and intestinal tract can lead to infections of the sinus, respiratory, ear, bladder, and intestinal membranes. In an attempt to arrest these infections, your physician might prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Such antibiotics promote yeast overgrowth and often contribute additional symptoms.

Causes of Candidiasis The most common cause is medication overuse, especially of antibiotics but also birth-control pills and corticosteriods. These can suppress the immune system and destroy the good intestinal bacteria. A minor increase in intestinal yeast can lead to thrush or vaginitis. However, if yeast overgrowth is left unchecked, more sinister symptoms appear. Yeast can change into an invasive mycellial fungus with rhizoids (tentacle-like projections) that penetrate the lining of the intestinal tract causing Leaky Gut. Leading to increased toxins, disruption of absorption of nutrients leading to nutritional deficiencies. Deficient nutrients lead to reduced immunity and further weakening of the body's defense systems. This can lead to fatigue, more allergies, chemical sensitivities, depression, anxiety, poor memory, brain fog, and digestive complaints. This all sets the stage for environmental sensitivities. As the liver and adrenal glands become chronically overwhelmed, tolerance to the fumes of certain environmental chemicals is reduced: gasoline, diesel, other petrochemicals, formaldehyde, perfumes, cleaning fluids, insecticides, tobacco, pesticides, household cleaners, etc.

Remember the GI system is the gateway to chronic illness and our first line of defense. A compromised GI system increases the risk of developing Leaky Gut, allergies, and chronic pain. Therefore, control Candida, bacterial or parasitic infections, heal and seal the gut and brain barriers, improve digestion, replace good bacteria, consider prescription medications short term and follow up with natural remedies, and give your liver extra support. 2. Control Yeast through Diet Begin the Candida Diet, which eliminated the foods that fee yeast.

Eliminate all of the following foods for three months

Sugar and simple carbohydrates - are the main preferred food source for yeast, so restricting all forms of sugar is necessary. Avoid refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, fruit juice, milk, white potatoes, corn, processed or bleached (white) flour, bakery goods, muffins, cereals, and anything containing sugar. Avoid ice cream, cake, cookies, and other sweets should be avoided for at least 3 months. Your in this for the long haul so don't cheat!

Fruits - should also be avoided, along with fruit juices and sauces. After the one month, try apples or blueberries to see if you have any reactions. Reactions might include, fatigue, depression, aches and pains, rectal or vaginal itching, itching ears or nose, and digestive issues like gas or bloating.

Alcoholic beverages turn into sugar so should be avoided, as should malted milk or other malted products.

Mold and yeast or fungus containing foods are to be avoided. These include peanuts, dried fruits: raisins, dates, prunes, vinegar, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, relishes, green olives, vinegar-containing salad dressings, catsup, mayonnaise, and pickles, relishes

Dairy products should be avoided

Certain vitamin and minerals - if purchased at a drug store are contaminated with yeast. Look for yeast-free products. Also some B vitamins are derived form yeast-fermenting process.

Treat Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut) A Leaky Gut left uncorrected will sabotage your attempts to eliminate yeast overgrowth once and for all. I have found that healing intestinal permeability is often the crucial step in ridding a person of persistent yeast infections. This is why I check for leaky gut in all my patients.

Improve Digestion It is important that you digest your food into small particles that wont trigger an immune response. Also since yeast can't live in an acid environment, a healthy level of stomach acid helps deter yeast growth. So patients on acid-blocking drugs increase their risk for developing yeast overgrowth. Follow the instructions on using digestive enzymes and Betain hCL with Pepsin.

Replace Good Bacteria Bacteria such as Bacillus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. catnaforme, L Fermentum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum normally inhabit vaginal and gastrointestinal tracts; help digest, absorb, and produce certain nutrients; and keep potentially harmful bacteria and yeast in check. Always use these probiotics to replace them when taking antibiotics, but not at exactly the same time of day. L. acidophilus has proven to be effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome, H pylori, diarrhea, and colitis as well as yeast overgrowth. Unfortunately, yogurt doesn't contain enough of the good bacteria to help colonize the colon. You will need to take probiotic supplements with 25 to 50 billion organisms or CFU's. Some extremely resistant yeast infections may need continuous probiotic replacement therapy.

Supplement with Natural Remedies Most of our patients start with prescription antifungals medications for about two weeks and then switch to herbal antifungal supplements along with the anti-candida diet for three months to knock back the overgrowth.

We Are Not What We Eat But What We Digest and Absorb The state of our health is largely determined by not only what we eat, but also how well we digest and absorb it. Nutrients are worthless if they can't be broken down and utilized. Think of your GI tract as your gateway into your body. It breaks down, absorbs, and assimilates the foods you eat. These carbohydrates, proteins, and fats yield sugars, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other life-sustaining nutrients.

Our food and the nutritional supplements we take provide the building blocks for manufacturing, repairing, and coordinating the vital biochemical components of each bodily function. But as we'll see, the GI tract can become compromised from various biochemical malfunctions: poor diet, bacteria, yeast overgrowth, stress, age, and prescription medications. Unfortunately even if you eat a healthy diet and take nutritional supplements, your health will suffer if you have malabsorption syndrome, achlorhydria (not enough stomach acid), intestinal permeability, or pancreatic enzyme deficiencies.

By improving digestion you get the most from the foods you eat and the supplements you take. You probably don't know it but your GI tract is one of your most important immune and detoxification systems. But it's assaulted on a daily basis by stress, bacteria, yeast, viruses, and toxins contained in the food we eat. So the first place to start in establishing a healthy GI tract is your diet. A poor diet leads to poor health, but the right food choices can make all the difference in how you feel.

A typical American breakfast might include nitrate-laden bacon cooked in hydrogenated oils (bad), sugary cereal made with bleached enriched flour, and a glass of orange juice (simple sugar). Lunch might a fast-food hamburger loaded with saturated and trans-fatty acids, pasteurized preservative-rich cheese (containing aluminum), French fries cooked in hydrogenated oils and loaded with fat, and a Diet Coke because ("I'm watching my weight") NOT! Unfortunately, much of our food has been processed, bleached, altered with preservatives, and tarnished with toxins.

The digestive system includes the mouth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, small intestine, and large intestine. Digestion involves the breakdown of food; its movement through the digestive tract;m the chemical breakdown of large molecules into smaller, more readily absorbed ones; and the elimination of waste. Digestion begins even before you take a bite. Just thinking about or smelling food can trigger certain chemicals, including the hormone gastrin, which stimulates the stomach cells.

The process of chewing also initiates chemical reactions that prepare the stomach, gallbladder, and pancreases for proper digestion. Foodstuff is delivered from the mouth to the stomach by way of the esophagus, a 10 inch-long hollow organ. The esophageal sphincter works like a gate, opening to receive food and then closing to prevent stomach acid or food from returning to the throat. Food is then pushed into the stomach, where digestive enzymes and gastric juices reduce it to a liquid substance known as chyme. The gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin.

Hydrochloric acid breaks down the predigested food, and pepsin breaks down proteins into polypeptides (chains of amino acids). This acidic environment acts as one of the body's first line of defense, destroying viruses, parasites, yeast, and bacteria. After four to six hours, chyme passes into the small intestine, which is about 22 feet of hollow tubing. The gallbladder secrets bile to help break down fats in the small intestine, and digestive juices continue to do their work. At the end of the small intestine, the broken-down food is absorbed into the bloodstream and finally routed to the liver.

The colon receives the leftover unusable chyme and begins to solidify it for evacuation. This semisolid material, known as feces, should produce a bowel movement and be excreted within 36 hours. All of this, by the way, would not be possible without your amazing pancreas. It releases proteolytic enzymes, which the stomach uses to breakdown food. Then it later releases sodium bicarbonate (think nature's Alka-Seltzer) to create the necessary alkaline environment in the small intestine.

You might not be secreting enough gastric acid. If you are age sixty or over, listen up. Numerous studies have shown that acid secretion declines with advancing age. And the resultant rise in stomach pH (to more alkaline) can cause many of the symptoms associated with IBS, bloating, gas, and loose or constipated bowel movements. It's been estimated that 50 percent of Americans over the age of sixty suffer from a deficiency in hydrochloric acid.

One group of researchers found that 80 percent of those with achlorhydria (low stomach acid) had soreness, burning, and dryness in the mouth, including a low tolerance for dentures. Thirty-four percent complained of indigestion and excessive gas. Forty percent complained of fatigue. gastric-acid secretion is a fundamental process in assuring proper digestion and absorption, as these sections are responsible for stimulating the release of pancreatic enzymes.

But you don't have to be a senior citizen to suffer from low levels of stomach acid. If you have symptoms of IBS, I recommend you take digestive enzymes. If you enzyme levels are already sufficient before you supplement with enzymes, your body will adjust just fine. But if your levels are low, you should notice a dramatic improvement in your symptoms with continued use. Remember stomach acid is your first line of defense from bacteria, parasites and yeast. But if your low in stomach acid (achlorhydria), you will have gas, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, hair loss in women, rectal itching, nausea, (especially after taking supplements), restless leg, sore or burning tongue, dry mouth, post-adolescent acne, undigested food in the stool, and weak, peeling, or cracked fingernails.

Proteolytic enzymes are built from amino acids (protein), so if your are on a vegan diet or have a deficiency in amino acids means a deficiency in the inflammation-and pain-blocking proteolytic enzymes. If you are not getting enough protein, you won't have enough amino acids to build these valuable enzymes. And if you already suffer from malabsorption, you may not be digesting protein. So both pancreatic (proteolytic) enzymes and Betaine with Pepsin are very important supplements when having GI distress. You may be suffering form food allergy, intolerance, or malabsorption. If so, your pancreas is the first organ to suffer.

It can become deficient in bicarbonate, and the proteolytic enzymes can be compromised or even destroyed. Without proteolytic enzymes and pepsin the protein goes undigested. And if it's leaked across the small intestines membrane, it can trigger inflammatory reactions, food allergies, resulting in more GI stress. Continuous exposure to food allergens can trigger a cascade of reactions that interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients. Nutritional deficiencies, especially amino acids, create a burden on the body's regulatory system, causing pain, fatigue,low moods, bloating, gas, IBS, migraine headaches, and other health problems.

Proper digestion is the first place to start in correcting IBS and GI disorders. The most obvious symptom of esophageal reflux is heartburn. It occurs after eating and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. It feels like a burning sensation in the pit of the stomach and can move up into the chest and throat. Esophageal reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions, allowing the backward flow of acid, bile, and other contents from the stomach into the esophagus.

Reflux can result from gastritis (inflammation of the stomach itself), peptic or duodenal ulcers, a hiatal hernia, or even from the chronic use of NSAID's. GED (gastro esophageal reflux disease) can cause esophageal scarring or Barrett's syndrome, a chronic esophageal irritation that causes normal cells to be replaced by precancerous ones. An endoscopy test is used to diagnose GERD. Conventional treatment usually involves H2 antagonists (such as Tagament, Pepcid, Zantac, or Axid) and antacids ( such as Tums or Malox) as the first line of treatment. Proton-pump inhibitor drugs (such as Nexium, Prevacid, or Prilosec) might also be initiated.

Are Antacid The Answer? NO! These medications block the absorption of nutrients like zinc, folic acid, B 12, calcium, and iron. not to mention your ability to breakdown your food, so it sits there fermenting creating more gas! This can lead to fatigue, anemia, and depression. Then long term use of these medications can block all stomach acid.

Here is Why Your Body Needs More Acid Not Less The esophageal sphincter is stimulated to close by the release of stomach acid. Picture the sphincter as a doorway that separates our throat from our stomach. The door is opened by food we eat and closed by naturally occurring stomach acid release. When there is not enough acid present - because antacids have neutralized them - the esophageal sphincter may not close properly, allowing acid to travel back up into the esophagus and cause heart burn. Ironic, isn't it? Antacids can actually make heartburn worse. The stomach needs acid to breakdown proteins for digestion. No protein digestion means no amino acids. No amino acids, means no neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, etc.) This can lead to all sorts of problems: Leaky Gut, anemia, fatigue, increased allergies, depression, anxiety, and bacterial and yeast overgrowth. Again, stomach acid is our body's first line of defense destroying viruses, parasites, yeast and bacteria.

You Are What You Eat- Diet Matters

How the Digestive System Works

How Poor Digestion Contributes to IBS Symptoms

Reflux, GERD, and Digestive Enzymes

Pay Attention to Your Diet

Supplementing with Hydrochloric Acid

Adequate protein intake, digestive enzymes with pancreatin, and a relaxed emotional state can increase stomach acid production, but supplementation might also be necessary.

Stress and Nutritional Deficiencies We're all born with a stress coping "savings account" filed with chemicals - such as hormones, amino acids, and nutrients - that can be deposited and then withdrawn when needed. Depending on our genes, some of us have large accounts, and some of us have smaller ones. The more stress we're under, the more withdrawals we make. If we make more withdrawals than deposits, we get overdrawn, and poor health quickly follows.

Chronic stress quickly zaps our reserves. Although some patients bankrupt their reserve accounts with one overwhelming event, most experience a series of stressful events over the years. These events typically involve stressful jobs, marriages, family dynamics, surgeries, illnesses, loss of a loved one, divorce, financial failure, etc. Many of my patients can remember the day their account went belly-up. It might have been after a surgery or following the loss of a parent. Whatever happened, the person was never the same from that point on; he/she couldn't get well. patients with IBS have depleted their stress-coping vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, which not only leads to IBS but also prevents them form beating IBS. It is a vicious cycle that can only be broken by taking adequate amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids.

Deficiencies in key vitamins, minerals, and hormones will create the perfect environment for developing IBS. One of the keys for overcoming IBS is replacing these stress coping nutrients; magnesium, B-vitamins, and serotonin in therapeutic dosages. Taking a good quality multivitamin and mineral, plus extra Vitamin D, is a good way to ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need to be healthy.

Nutritional Therapy For IBS Along with a good optimal daily allowance multivitamin, those with IBS will need to supplement with these additional essential nutritional supplements: Magnesium - is involved in over 300 bodily processes, is particularly important for reversing the symptoms of IBS. It help relax the smooth muscle of the colon, acting as a natural laxative and allowing normal bowel movements.

The best form of magnesium for the colon is magnesium citrate. Take it to bowel tolerance (until loose stool are achieved then back down. Start with 500 mg, but those with IBS-C (constipation) may need up to 1,000 mg. or more each day. Now your multivitamin should have at lease 200 mg. magnesium, then add an additional 150-200 mg. a day of magnesium citrate until you have a loose bowel movement. Too much will give you loose stools so reduce by one capsule until bowel movement are regular without diarrhea.

Avoid foods that can relax esophageal sphincter and make heartburn, reflux, and GERD worse. These include fried, spicy, or fatty foods, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, peppermint, chocolate, coffee, tea, alcohol, tomatoes, garlic, and onions. Avoid lying down for at least three hours after you finish eating. When you do lie down, try elevating the head of your bed about six inches (to facilitate keeping the gastric contents in the stomach). Try eating smaller meals, and more frequently (perhaps four or five meals in a day).

IBS, Serotonin and 5-HTP

Research has shown that one potential cause of IBS is related to neuroendocrine immune system dysfunction (brain and stomach hormones).

This connection is largely mediated by the neurotransmitter, or brain chemical Serotonin. The brain and gut are connected through the neuroreceptors 5-hydroxytriptamine-3 (5HT3) and 5-hydroxytriptamine-4 (5-HT4). These serotonin receptors regulate the perception of intestinal pain and the GI motility (contractions that move food through the intestinal tract).

Therefore serotonin controls how fast or how slow food moves through the intestinal tract. In fact, there are more serotonin receptors in the intestinal tract than there are in the brain. So ninety percent of serotonin receptors are in the intestinal tract. Medical science has now determined that how we feel is largely controlled by the foods we eat and how well these building blocks are converted into brain transmitting chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that control our moods. You may remember I spoke of chains of essential and non-essential amino acids make up proteins. Many of these amino-acids are converted into neurotransmitters. The brain needs adequate amounts of protein and their amino acids for the production of neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are produced from the foods we eat. certain amino acids along with B vitamins, and minerals, produce neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters that cause excitatory reactions are known as catecholamines. Catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline) are derived from the amino acid phenylalanine an tyrosine. Inhibitory or relaxing neurotransmitters including gaba and serotonin, serotonin is produced from the amino acid tryptophan. Supplementing with 5-hydroxytrryptophan (5HTP), a form of tryptophan, combined with B-vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium, is the source of serotonin.

To increase your serotonin levels use 5HTP. In fact, studies show that 5HTP can be as festive as antidepressant drug therapy including SSRI medications. Using SSRI's is similar to using gasoline additive in an empty gasoline tank. Most individuals with mood disorders have been running on fumes (low serotonin or other neurotransmitters) for years. Forget the gasoline additive. Let's just fill the tank back up with serotonin! To boost serotonin levels I recommend taking the amino acid responsible or making serotonin, known as 5HTP. For patients with IBS-A (alternating between diarrhea and constipation) or IBS-D (primarily diarrhea) should take 300-400 mg. a day with food.

The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, said "All disease begins in the gut." Study after study has proven him right showing the role of modern diets, lifestyles, and our gut function play a role in overall good or bad health. Intestinal permeability occurs when the lining of the small intestines becomes permeable (leaky) to toxins that cause chronic inflammation. This permeability allows toxins to leak out of the digestive tract into the bloodstream. This can trigger autoimmune reactions (attack of self tissue) anywhere in the body as they travel in the blood to the body's tissues.

Dr. Teresa Rispoli is a Board Certified Functional Nutritionist, ND, PhD., LAc. and specializes in gastrointestinal health issues. She is the founder of Functional Nutritionist Academy where she trains health professionals about Functional Nutrition, she is also the founder of Complete Health Institute located in Agoura CA where she has been in practice for over 30 years. You can schedule a nutritional consultation by calling 818.707.3126 or contact her at support@functionalnutritionistacademy.com .

Learn How to Become A Functional Nutritionist Online in Your Own

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:48:01 GMT

Functional medicine is a “systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Bringing back proper function of all systems of the body to peak performance is the goal. Dysfunction and ill health can be the result of one or more causes. Each cause depends of the individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle and treatments addressing the right cause will have lasting benefits beyond just symptom suppression. Functional medicine takes the approach of looking at one condition with multiple causes and one cause with multiple conditions. There is not just one root cause for a condition. It’s multi-factorial and should be looked at as a whole versus one individual part.

The patient is looked at as an individual with individual needs and issues, therefore the practice is patient-centered and focuses on the Functional Medicine Matrix which us used to ask deeper questions as to the nature of the individual’ s health challenges. These are questions that are asked after the initial evaluation questions is filled out. The Matrix looks at seven biological systems of the body that can cause damage and lead to illness, and that can repair the damage caused by a disease or illness.

Assimilation: Looking at the digestion, absorption, and gut health of the client is the first course of action. 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, so having a healthy gut can assist with reducing the risk of disease and illness.
Defense and repair: Focusing on immune health, inflammation, and infections within the microbiota can assist with optimizing health and wellness.
Energy: Determining mitochondrial function and energy and stress levels to assist with overall health is important in order to improve quality of life.
Biotransformation and elimination: Many functional nutritionists practice forms of eliminating specific foods that may contribute to chronic inflammation or illnesses, while improving digestion and elimination.
Transport: Looking at the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems in order to ensure that adequate blood flow and support is happening in the body and there are no blocked arteries or congested lymphatics.
Communication: Making sure all the systems within the body are communicating with one another in a supportive fashion such as the neurotransmitters within the brain and immune messengers within the gut. There is a gut-brain connection.
Structural integrity: Considering the body is structurally secure from the subcellular membranes to the musculoskeletal is also important.

The body is a whole. Having one fundamental imbalance can result in multiple negative symptoms. In addition, one condition could result in multiple imbalances.Functional nutritionists incorporate the motto, “Food is Medicine,” in their practice when providing client-centered care. They take a functional approach to emphasizing the importance of high-quality foods and nutrients which can be used to address these imbalances.

By taking a closer look at the person as a whole, the functional nutritionist can provide an in-depth approach that incorporates all seven layers of the matrix to determine the root cause of the health challenge.. This approach guides the Functional Nutritionist in what plan of action needs to implemented to guide the individual back to peak functions.

What is a Functional Nutritionist?

What is Restorative Medicine?

The Seven Biological Systems of the Functional Medicine Matrix

How to Become a Functional Nutritionist

Functional Nutritionist Academy offers a fast track on-boarding step-by-step state of the art approach to becoming a Board Certified Functional Nutritionist.

For information go to : https://functionalnutritionistacademy.com

The course also offers continuing education units (CEU’s) for Acupuncturists, Chiropracters and Naturopaths.

Areas of Study Include:

Targeted Evaluation Questions and Assessments. PDF’s provided·

Functional Laboratory Tests and evaluation with case studies. A portal to order tests·

Gut Restoration Steps: healing Leaky Gut, SIBO, Candida, food allergies·

Natural Hormone Balancing; including thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones.·

Improving Brain Function, preventing & reversing Alzheimer’s, dementia, ADHA, anxiety·

Reversing Autoimmune Illness; Hashimoto’s, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s·

Done-for-you diet and supplement protocols and Lifestyle coaching practices·

Understanding Your Genetic Code to Prevent Gene Expression of Inherited Diseases and gives you answers and solutions to why your brain or body is not in balance, why you don’t do well on certain medicines, foods or nutrients, what supplements or exercises are best for you·

How to set of your office and market yourself online using social media

After passing the exams, you are a Board-Certified Functional Nutritionist (CFN).

Jobs for a Functional Nutritionist

Functional Nutritionist Salaries range in pay based on location and type of practice. Depending on the type of job you have such as working for a corporation, hospital, educational institution, clinic, or private practice, salaries will vary.

According to ZipRecruiter, functional nutritionist salaries range from about $80,000 to $136,500 annually with a high of $168,500 annually. The national average annual salary is $150,705. Working in a private practice generally pays the highest for a functional nutritionist. There are also many opportunities for virtual work for the functional nutritionist.

Finding a Job as a Functional Nutritionist. Once you become certified and credentialed, you are ready to find work. Here are 7 tips on how to find a Job as a Functional Nutritionist.

Network. Network. Network
Like all careers, who you know within the community matters. Having a person refer you to a specific job can increase your chances of getting the job from the personal recommendation. Spend time networking and meeting new people within the industry.
Join Functional Medicine and Nutritionist Groups
Integrative and Functional Medicine Practice Groups, newsletters, access to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, mentoring services, listservs, and more.
Get Listed on a Health Network Directory Sites
Online Health Directory Sites such as HealthProfs provide easy access for people to search for practitioners based on specialty and location. These directory sites are a great way to advertise services and increase clients.
Create an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the #1 job search social platform. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and stellar.
Job Alerts
Sign up for notifications on job search websites like Nutrition Jobs to get notified when jobs get posted in your location and area of choice.
Volunteer
Volunteering within the industry allows you to meet more people while also gaining experience. Turn the volunteer experience into a form of networking and that volunteer position could also potentially lead to a job opportun ity.

Teresa Rispoli , ND, L.Ac, Ph.D. is a Naturopath, Functional Nutritionist, Acupuncturist, Specializing in Gut, Digestive health, Chronic Health Issues, Natural Hormone Balancing, Anti-Aging & Functional Medicine. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching/consultations.

Functional Nutritionist Salaries

About the Author

There are many job opportunities for Functional Nutritionists. Check out what the credential can lead to:

Private Practice Functional Nutritionist – work for another practitioner or own your personal private practice providing services to clients.
Virtual Functional Nutrition Practice – provide telehealth via zoom, skype, video chat or telephone
Functional Nutritionist at a Clinic – join a clinic with other practitioners to have an interdisciplinary support system in place such as a functional medical doctor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, and more.
Functional Nutritionist at a Corporation – work at a corporation providing onsite care to employees through a wellness program.
Functional Nutritionist at a Hospital – innovative and forward-thinking health institutions and hospitals are providing holistic and integrative medicine incorporating functional medicine and nutritionists into the organization and practice.
Faculty Professor/Teacher – teach classes and courses at a college, university, or educational institution. Help others gain the education they need to practice functional medicine and nutrition.
Functional Nutritionist Research Scientist – conduct research and studies for new and innovative theories to provide field-specific and technical expertise.

Complete Health Institute

What Is SIBO and How Is It Different From IBS?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Introduction

What Is SIBO

What Is IBS

How SIBO and IBS Differ

About the Author

Why the Two Conditions Are Often Confused

How Each Condition Is Diagnosed

Choosing the Right Testing Path

Common Misunderstandings About SIBO and IBS

A Realistic Example

Risks, Limitations, and Trade-Offs

What Typical Online Advice Overlooks

When to Consider Further Evaluation

Conclusion

Considering SIBO or IBS Testing in Agoura Hills?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Functional Medicine and How Is It Different From a Regular Doctor's Visit?

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Is Functional Medicine

How Functional Medicine Differs From Conventional Medicine

Time Spent With Patients

Diagnostic Testing Approach

Focus on Root Causes Versus Symptom Management

What Is Integrative Health

Choosing Between Functional and Conventional Approaches

About the Author

Common Misunderstandings About Functional Medicine

A Realistic Example

Risks, Limitations, and Trade-Offs

What Typical Online Advice Overlooks

When to Consider a Functional Medicine Evaluation

Conclusion

Ready to Learn More About Functional Medicine in Agoura Hills?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Thinning Skin? Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Causes Thinning Skin

Why Skin Becomes Thinner With Age

Sun Exposure and Photoaging

Hormonal Changes and Skin Thickness

Other Common Causes

Signs of Thinning Skin

Risks Associated With Thin Skin

About the Author

Prevention and Skin Care Approaches

Sun Protection

Gentle Skin Care

Skin Care Ingredients Worth Understanding

Nutrition and Collagen Support

Protecting Skin From Injury

Is There a Cure for Thinning Skin

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Introduction

Understanding the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause

Why Hormonal Changes Affect Muscles and Joints

Common Signs and Symptoms

Joint Pain and Stiffness

Muscle Loss and Weakness

Tendon and Connective Tissue Changes

Increased Injury Risk

How This Differs From Normal Aging

About the Author

Who Is Affected and When It Typically Begins

Evaluation and Diagnosis Considerations

Lifestyle Factors Worth Understanding

When to Talk to a Healt hcare Provider

Conclusion