How Genetic and Gut Health Testing Can Support Your Patients’ Longevity
A patient’s gut might not be the most obvious place to look for the origins of mental health disorders, immune dysfunction, or chronic inflammation. More and more research, however, is pointing to the fact that gut health can have a profound influence over a person’s mental and
physical health. So, how can you get an accurate picture of your patients’ gut health? That’s where gut health testing comes in. In this article, we’ll be exploring how these specialized tests can provide personalized information that will help support your patients’ longevity. Here’s
what you need to know.
What is the gut-brain connection?
Gut health is a foundational piece of functional medicine that impacts every other part of the body, even the brain. In fact, the lining of the gut is often called “the second brain” because it communicates back and forth with the actual brain via chemicals like hormones and neurotransmitters. The chemical messages that pass between the gut and the brain can be affected by the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in the gut, known as the “gut microbiome.” Every person’s gut contains a mix of beneficial bacteria, harmless bacteria, and harmful bacteria. A healthy gut that is flourishing with good bacteria has the potential to improve mental and physical well-being, while an out of balance gut that is overrun with bad bacteria can open the door for developing mental and physical health issues.
