Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Fertility Course, Natural Women's Health, Preconception and Fertility

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in Blog· Digestive Health· Food Allergy and Sensitivity

Top 3 Functional Wellness Tests for Digestive Concerns

Are you feeling stumped by persistent gastrointestinal distress? Have elimination diets fallen short of addressing the underlying problem? Does it seem like you have to look forward to a lifetime of pain and inconvenience?

When it comes to GI issues, many of my patients seek naturopathic care for these exact reasons. We want to figure out why a symptom is occurring and get the the bottom of it! Tests that look at anatomical and structural issues include those offered by gastroenterologists like upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, ultrasounds, CT, etc. By digging deeper, we can see the function of those structures by looking at the microbiome and for food reactions. There are a few select functional wellness tests that I recommend on an individual basis in order to learn more about the underlying causes of faulty digestion. Let’s review the top three tests that allow us to dig deeper into the gut:

Microbiome Analysis: What if the problem isn’t the foods you eat, but the terrain of your gut, also known as the microbiome? For some patients, it’s critical to examine the entire ecosystem in the gut AKA the microbiome​​​​​​​. The Gut Zoomer 3.0 from Vibrant America is the most comprehensive digestive health test on the market. This panel helps us to detect root causes of acute and chronic illnesses that stem from the gastrointestinal tract. The path from diagnosis to healing will look different for each patient, since so many different conditions can be associated with intestinal dysbiosis and microbiome imbalance.

The results from this test include insights and recommendations based on individual testing markers, giving patients a deeper understanding of their health in our work together.

This stool test analyzes your unique gut microbiome, including:

  • 171 commensal microbes, AKA the “good” bacteria your gut microbiome needs
  • 67 pathogenic bacteria, yeast, viruses, and parasites that are known to cause serious health concerns
  • 35 functional markers of inflammation, pancreatic function, leaky gut, immune function and detoxification

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth – SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth occurs when bacteria enter your normally sterile (or mostly sterile) small intestine and begin to colonize. Patients with bacterial overgrowth typically develop symptoms such as bloating (key phase I her from women is, “I look like I am pregnant by the end of the day!”), diarrhea, constipation or both (hello IBS diagnosis!),  and malabsorption (nutrient deficiencies and feeling sick from food). When SIBO is suspected, we recommend a test like Aerodiagnostics’ closed capture alveolar air (breath) kit for at-home collection.

Food Sensitivity: It is estimated that 20% of the population have an adverse reaction to a food. Symptoms of a delayed food allergy, or food sensitivity, can take up to 72 hours to appear. I like to call these “background noise foods” because sometimes it’s hard to connect the dots between a food you eat on a daily or frequent basis and symptoms because the reaction is delayed, or going on in the background.

Food sensitivities may be caused by many factors such as stress, infections, overeating, artificial preservatives, additives, molds, pesticides, antibiotics, environmental pollutants, as well as microbiome imbalances.

We need to address underlying causes of food sensitivity, rather than simply avoid the offending food… forever!

The panel I recommend for patients who fit the criteria for food sensitivity is: 184-food IgG immunoglobulin blood spot test from Alletess Medical Laboratory.

Includes the 96 foods found in the typical Western diet, plus 88 additional foods for adventurous eaters and alternative diets. The results report the severity of individual food intolerances. We structure a customized elimination and reintroduction plan to help relieve symptoms while working to figure out what the most problematic foods are – for you!

Keep in mind… One size doesn’t fit all. There are other tests available for those whose symptoms and medical history don’t fit the criteria for SIBO, or food sensitivity, or the Gut Zoomer. I may recommend these tests on an individual basis for those with persistent, undiagnosed, or otherwise complex conditions.

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Are you dreaming of sunshine and warmer months? Sp Are you dreaming of sunshine and warmer months? Spring is a good time to clean out the clutter and make way for summer!

Here are some of the top things that I do seasonally to get ready for spring and summer:
🌻 Make sure I am stocked with non-toxic SPF for face and body. I check the expiration dates and throw away any expired sunscreens. Check out the EWG’s guide to sunscreen which rates the top non-toxic brands and products.
🌻 Check on my supplies of natural allergy support supplements. I love to take nettles, quercetin, and vitamin C when the spring blooms start to help manage itchy eyes and runny nose.
🌻 Think seasonally with produce, opting for fresh berries, more salads, lots of fresh green smoothies, and an overall lighter take on eating. 

How do you modify your wellness routines seasonally? Let me know what you’ll be doing this spring in the comments below.
Your body is talking and will tell you what you ne Your body is talking and will tell you what you need to know. You just need to learn to listen. 💙
Was this helpful? Drop a like and follow for more information on conception and planning.
Do you struggle with an underactive thyroid? 🤔 Do you struggle with an underactive thyroid? 🤔 By making a few habit changes, you can support your thyroid.

Here are a few things that support thyroid hormone production:

🏋️‍♀️ Exercising regularly. It doesn’t need to be anything crazy! Just a few moderate workouts per week that increase your heart rate can make a big difference.
😴 Creating a consistent routine for eating meals, going to sleep, and waking up. Having a regular meal and sleep schedule can reduce stress levels, increase mental sharpness, improve emotional well-being, and increase energy levels.
🧀 Consuming foods high in minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iodine. Nuts, seeds, and seafood all contain these nutrients.
🧘‍♀️ Prioritizing restorative activities that reduce stress - this can be meditation, catching up with friends, or journaling. Restoration looks different for everyone!

The other thing to know is that hormones communicate, so when I work with someone who has hypothyroid, we also address adrenal and sex hormones as well. It’s all interconnected!

Let’s figure out what your hormone picture looks like and address the whole you.
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