Digestive Health

Digestive Conditions (IBS, SIBO, Dysbiosis, IBD)

Digestive Health has always formed the cornerstone of naturopathic medicine. The concept of food as medicine, and in turn, our digestive health impacting our general health and well-being, are central principles and tenets of naturopathic medicine.

At White Rock Naturopathic Dr. Grodski helps to identify and address food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances, as well as treat IBS, IBD, Heartburn, GERD, reflux, SIBO, and general indigestion through dietary interventions and supplements. The goal being to optimize digestive health so that it may benefit and support our health and well-being as opposed to being a culprit or source of continued fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and disease.

Typically, the approach to identifying the causative factors for IBS begins with the identification of food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances. That of course, depends on the particulars of one’s digestive history. The secondary aspect that is assessed and treated relates to the flora of one’s digestive tract. Flora refers to one’s balance of healthy bacteria vs those strains (of bacteria and yeast) which are dysfunctional, cause unnecessary symptoms near and far such as gas, bloating, fast or slow motility, cramping/colitis and weight gain.

This may relate to one’s large intestine (identified through Comprehensive Diagnostic Stool Analyses) or one’s small intestine (identified through a breath test that identifies the presence/and diagnosis of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). In short, chronic constipation or diarrhea, can be as much a symptom caused by one’s diet as it can be by one’s intestinal biome and flora.

Inflammatory Bowel Disorders such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s, though considered auto-immune and not primarily caused by dietary reactions can certainly be improved, and managed with similar approaches as those taken by individual’s struggling with non-inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS. While some patients seek for improved management while remaining on long term medications, others are seeking lifestyle, dietary and alternate ways to manage their condition and either reach or remain in remission.

At White Rock Naturopathic we have supported and guided patients through FMT, or Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as well, and are happy to serve as sources of information and guidance for those seeking this course of treatment for themselves.

As for heartburn, GERD and reflux, the traditional goal naturopathically, has been to improve one’s digestive function safely to allow for reasonable reduction in unnecessary medication that may be preventing proper dietary assimilation and absorption. This goal follows different therapeutic paths based again, on the particular’s of one’s dietary history.