Digestive Health

A healthy digestive system is key to proper overall functioning in the body. The old saying goes “You are what you eat” but in naturopathic medicine it is also important to understand that “You are what you absorb“. The ability of the body to carry out its activities depends initially on every cell having access to important nutrients. These vital nutrients, however, can be depleted by recurrent digestive problems and this will lead to the development of other health concerns.

A few of the factors that can affect the function of the digestive system include:

  1. Mental/emotional stress – Stress and anxiety can influence your nervous system to “shut down” your digestive system
  2. Food sensitivities – Foods that you are eating regularly could be irritating the inner lining of your digestive tract
  3. Improper gut flora – Overuse of antibiotics and poor diet can disrupt the levels of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract
  4. Medication side-effects – Use of certain drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) commonly have side-effects in the digestive tract

Dr. Chan can help you to identify the cause of your digestive problems and treat them. Treatment options include:

Conditions that can be treated include:

  • Hearburn/Reflux
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea/Constipation
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance
  • Leaky Gut
  • Candida