The Connection Bridgewater-Somerville Edition Feb/Mar 2019

www.theconnectionsnj.com Metabolic Wellness & Longevity Institute "Inspiring New Levels of Wellness" 266 King George Road, Suite H Warren, NJ 07059 (908) 626-9200 www.metabolicwellnessinstitute.com " # " # # " "$ $ " #$ #! ( $ " $ & # #$ "# " %$" $ $ # " "$ ' $ " $ & The Metabolic Code and Weight Loss Program is a personalized integrative approach to uncover metabolic imbalances and to find an optimum path to restoration of health. It is a step by step easy to implement program of diet, lifestyle strategies, state-of-the-art customized nutrients and supplements created to reclaim your metabolism and health. We pride ourselves in helping our patients understand the value of good nutrition, lifestyle and health, and we will guide and support you throughout your process of healing. CONDITIONS TREATED • Irritable Bowel Disorder • Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis • Adrenal Fatigue and Fibromyalgia • Food Sensitivities • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Arthritis • Asthma and Allergies • Spectrum Disorders • Digestive Disorders • Eczema and other Skin Disorders • Autoimmune Disorders • Hormonal Imbalance • Anxiety and Depression • Obesity and Weight Gain • Thyroid Disorders • Menopause and Andropause • Integrative Support for Cancer • Brain and Cognition Support • Cardiovascular Diseases • Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes • Weight Reduction • Lyme Disease Support • Bio-identical Hormone Replacement • Management of Methyl Cycle Mutations CAN’T LOSE WEIGHT? Maybe It’s Your Gut Microbiome and Food Sensitivities By: Lakshmi Prasad, MD, MS, FAARM Gut bacteria and food sensitivities play sev- eral important roles in maintaining one’s health and metabolism. Have you ever had a friend who lives on junk food and still man- ages to not gain weight because of fast metabolism? It has a lot to do with a healthy gut microbiome. There are trillions of healthy microorganisms living in your gut which makes maintaining good health easier. Importance of gut microbiome to overall health has led many researchers to consider it as an organ on its own. There are various different ways a poor composition of gut bacteria can make it hard to lose weight. 1. Low grade inflammation: An imbalance of good and bad microorganisms in the gut is called Dysbiosis, which causes low grade inflammation along the gut lining. Harmful byproducts from dysbiosis can cause a body wide systemic inflammatory response. It can also cause food sensitivities because of increased gut permeability, commonly known as a ‘leaky gut’. 2. Food Sensitivities due to poor gut micro- biome can affect metabolism. Food sensi- tivities differ from severe food allergies like peanut allergies. Hidden food sensitivities occur when your digestive system is unable to effectively digest and process certain foods. The most common ones being pro- teins in dairy, soy, eggs, wheat. Reactions from hidden food sensitivities can occur 48- 72 hours after consuming the food and presents as vague abdominal discomfort, indigestion, bloating, gassiness, body aches, joint aches, headaches, and reoccur- ring rashes, and yes... as weight gain or dif- ficulty losing weight. 3. Chronic low grade inflammation due to food sensitivities and gut dysbiosis can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain. Insulin regulates blood sugar and the body’s ability to metabolize the food we eat. When the body becomes insulin resistant, metabolism suffers and leads to increased weight gain, especially around the lower abdomen. Not having enough good gut bacteria also results in not having enough Butyrate. Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid which protects against obesity and insulin resistance. It makes you feel full quicker. 4. Frequent Hunger: An unhealthy gut microbiome and food sensitivities can make you feel hungry all the time and can cause ‘sugar’ or ‘carb cravings.’ A low diversity of gut microbiome can influence hormones involved in hunger modulation like Leptin, Ghrelin, Adiponectin levels, contributing to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Consuming a typical American diet, stress, history of antibiotic or steroid use can foster growth of bad microorganisms in the gut, producing a firestorm of low grade inflam- mation causing obesity, arthritis, irritable bowel, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and many other inflammatory conditions. An elimination diet, which is plant based and high in fiber, taking the correct probiotics, can help with weight loss and improving overall health. Identifying and treating food sensitivities, dysbiosis, and improving gut health is an important part of my practice. I do food sen- sitivity analysis and gut health analysis in managing chronic inflammatory diseases like obesity, weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascu- lar diseases, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and arthritis. Please call our office for a func- tional medicine approach to weight loss and chronic inflammatory issues. Metabolic Wellness & Longevity Institute Tel: (908) 626-9200 266 King George Road, Suite H Warren, New Jersey 07059 PAGE 25 Health & Wellness