Naturopathic Digestive Health Treatment — Root-Cause Approach to Gut Health

Digestive complaints are among the most common reasons patients seek naturopathic care. Conditions like IBS, chronic bloating, GERD, and food sensitivities affect millions of people, yet conventional treatment often focuses on symptom suppression — antacids for reflux, laxatives for constipation, anti-diarrheal medications for IBS — without investigating why these symptoms exist. The gut is far more than a digestive organ. It houses 70-80% of the immune system, produces 90% of the body's serotonin, plays a critical role in hormone metabolism, and communicates directly with the brain through the gut-brain axis. When gut health is compromised, the effects extend far beyond digestion — affecting mood, energy, skin health, hormonal balance, immune function, and even thyroid health. Naturopathic medicine recognizes these interconnections and treats digestive conditions by identifying and addressing their root causes, not just managing symptoms.

Naturopathic digestive assessment investigates: • Gut microbiome imbalances (dysbiosis) — An overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast, or parasites, or a depletion of beneficial bacteria, can drive bloating, gas, irregular bowel habits, and systemic inflammation. Functional stool testing (GI-MAP) can identify specific microbial imbalances. • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) — Bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, fermenting food and producing excess gas. SIBO is a common underlying cause of IBS, particularly the bloating-dominant type. Breath testing can diagnose hydrogen and methane-producing SIBO. • Food sensitivities — Distinct from food allergies, sensitivities cause delayed immune reactions (IgG-mediated) that produce digestive symptoms, skin issues, headaches, and fatigue hours to days after eating trigger foods. Common triggers include gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and corn. • Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) — Contrary to popular belief, many cases of heartburn and GERD are caused by INSUFFICIENT stomach acid rather than excess. Low acid impairs protein digestion, mineral absorption, and allows bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and small intestine. • Intestinal permeability ('leaky gut') — Damage to the intestinal lining allows partially digested food particles and bacterial components to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune reactions and systemic inflammation. Caused by chronic stress, NSAIDs, antibiotics, alcohol, and inflammatory foods. • Stress and the gut-brain axis — Chronic stress directly alters gut motility, secretion, barrier function, and microbiome composition through the vagus nerve and HPA axis.

Naturopathic digestive treatment follows a systematic approach: • Comprehensive Testing — GI-MAP stool analysis for microbiome composition, pathogens, and digestive markers. SIBO breath test for hydrogen and methane. Food sensitivity panels. Comprehensive metabolic panel. Testing guides treatment rather than guessing. • Remove — Eliminate identified triggers: food sensitivities, pathogenic bacteria, yeast overgrowth, parasites, and environmental irritants. Antimicrobial botanical protocols (berberine, oregano oil, garlic) are used when indicated. • Replace — Support deficient digestive functions: digestive enzymes for impaired digestion, betaine HCl for low stomach acid, bile acid support for fat malabsorption. • Reinoculate — Restore beneficial bacteria with targeted probiotic strains (species and strain-specific, based on testing results), prebiotic fiber, and fermented foods appropriate for the patient's condition. • Repair — Heal the intestinal lining with L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, aloe vera, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), and bone broth. Address intestinal permeability to reduce systemic inflammation. • Rebalance — Address lifestyle factors: stress management, sleep optimization, mindful eating practices, regular movement, and ongoing dietary optimization.

Dr. Sanika treats a wide range of digestive conditions at Soma Naturopathic: • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) — Both diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D) and constipation-predominant (IBS-C) subtypes. Naturopathic treatment identifies specific drivers (SIBO, food sensitivities, stress, dysbiosis) for targeted intervention. • Chronic Bloating — Persistent bloating that doesn't resolve with dietary changes alone often has underlying causes (SIBO, carbohydrate malabsorption, dysbiosis) that require functional testing to identify. • GERD and Heartburn — Addressing root causes (low stomach acid, hiatal hernia, obesity, food triggers) rather than relying on long-term acid suppression, which can worsen nutrient absorption and dysbiosis. • Constipation — Identifying drivers: dehydration, magnesium deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, pelvic floor dysfunction, SIBO methane-dominant, or inadequate fiber. Treatment addresses the specific cause. • Food Sensitivities — Systematic identification through testing and elimination protocols, followed by gut healing to reduce reactivity and enable safe food reintroduction. • Post-antibiotic Digestive Issues — Microbiome restoration after antibiotic use through targeted probiotic protocols and dietary support.

Dr. Sanika Kshirsagar at Soma Naturopathic in Kirkland, WA (12911 120th Ave NE, Suite J-3) has advanced gastrointestinal training from Dr. Lela Altman and specializes in root-cause digestive health treatment. Her digestive health program includes: • Comprehensive health history with focus on dietary patterns, bowel habits, symptom timeline, and previous treatments • Functional stool testing (GI-MAP) to assess microbiome, pathogens, and digestive markers • SIBO breath testing when indicated • Food sensitivity panel when dietary triggers are suspected • Personalized nutrition plan — therapeutic elimination diet or specific dietary protocol based on test results • Botanical antimicrobial or antifungal protocols when testing reveals overgrowth • Gut healing supplement protocol (L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, probiotics) • Ongoing monitoring and protocol adjustment Dr. Sanika also addresses the interconnections between gut health and hormones — a critical link for women experiencing both digestive and hormonal symptoms. New patients can schedule a free 15-minute intro call. Soma Naturopathic serves Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, Kenmore, Sammamish, and Issaquah, with telehealth available for Washington and California residents.