All Healing Starts in the Gut. Really?

The axiom: where it came from

The gut sits in an “axis” with every other organ. There is a gut-brain axis, gut-bone axis, gut-skin axis, etc. Each axis is exceedingly complex, with communication happening in both directions and involving hormones, neurotransmitters, peptides, and other messengers to carry those signals between them. The axiom says that, wherever the symptoms are manifesting (skin, sinuses, heart, etc.), start with the gut. When that is healed, the other problems will resolve on their own.

I think it’s possible that was once true, and in fact I think it was closer to the truth when I started my practice 25+ years ago vs today. But it is without question that patients today present with significantly more complicated health issues, conditions that I saw very rarely back then and that are quite common now. I’m referring to autonomic dysregulation and POTS, mast cell issues, histamine-associated reactions, and gastrointestinal symptoms that are surprisingly intractable to diet adjustments and other therapies that should be helpful.

Why the gut is rarely the whole story

The analogy I think of is this: suppose the gut-[organ] axis is like two people with anger management issues. They are on the phone yelling at each other continuously. The “heal the gut” axiom advises that managing the anger in one will manage it in the other as well. But maybe, just maybe, if the other organ continues to yell in anger it will provoke the gut back into the argument, back into the yelling match.

My point is that maybe restoring health doesn’t exclusively start with the gut and in fact rarely will that approach work. If the brain, or the skin, or the heart, or the liver keep yelling into the phone, even a calmed down gut can get provoked back into an anger state.

Clinically, I think this is most relevant to those patients whose digestive symptoms are extremely resistant to resolution in spite of multiple treatment plans suggested by many competent doctors often over the span of several years or even decades.

A more complete clinical picture

I’m not suggesting that restoring digestive health should not be an important area of focus for a treatment plan. I am suggesting, though, that by zooming in too closely on the gut some anger management issues that need to be addressed in other organs might sabotage even the best plan for healing the gut.

If you or someone you know has struggled with digestive symptoms that haven’t resolved in spite of treatment, let’s have a conversation. It may be that imbalances in your pancreas, or spleen, or immune system, or fat tissue, or any other axis with the gut is undermining your best efforts. Mention this article to get 10% off your new or follow-up visit through the end of September.

Follow the Schedule link on this site, call 503-719-4806, or email Lisa at drnigh_info@gregnigh.com. Patients in Rhode Island can schedule with me through rhodeislandnaturopathic.com.