Digestive Health

Gastrointestinal inflammation and imbalances can lead to numerous digestive and whole-body health problems. At Natural Health Specialists LLC, digestive health specialist Christopher J. Fischer, ND, takes a naturopathic approach, improving your digestive health by helping you heal from within. From lifestyle counseling and tailored diets to research-based nutritional therapeutics and custom herbal formulations, Dr. Fischer can help you attain excellent digestive health. All appointments are telehealth, so it’s convenient to schedule expert naturopathic care anytime. Call the East Northport, New York, office or book your appointment online now. 

What is digestive health?

Digestive health refers to the wellness of your gastrointestinal (digestive) system. The digestive system processes everything you eat and drink. 

After you eat or drink something, it moves through all the following parts of the gastrointestinal system. 

• Pharynx (throat)
• Esophagus (food tube)
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine 
• Rectum
• Anus

While not part of the digestive system, the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder also play a role in the digestive process. 

Problems can occur in any part of the digestive system or its supporting organs, leading to symptoms that can affect your whole life. Up to 70 million Americans currently have digestive health issues.

Why does digestive health matter so much?

Digestive health is vitally important to your whole-person health. Your digestive system absorbs the nutrients you need to live and also processes and eliminates waste. A malfunctioning digestive system can cause symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Bowel habit changes
• Chronic fatigue
• Weight gain or loss
• Heartburn
• Bloating

Poor digestive health can also contribute to hormone imbalance, rashes, acne, inflammatory forms of arthritis (for example, rheumatoid arthritis), and other chronic diseases. Essentially, when your digestive system is unhappy, your whole body is unhappy.  

The enteric nervous system that governs digestive function is sometimes called the second brain of the body, highlighting just how vital gut function is for whole-body health. 

What causes digestive health problems?

Digestive health problems often occur because of inflammation triggering an autoimmune response. 

The inflammation often arises due to food allergies, food sensitivities, heavy metal toxicity, bacterial imbalances, and infections.

How can I improve my digestive health?

Dr. Fischer typically recommends comprehensive testing (often a saliva test you can do in your own home). You may also need blood, stool, urine, or breath testing. Testing can determine the source of your symptoms by finding hidden problems like food sensitivities, toxicity, bacterial overgrowth, and imbalances. 

Dr. Fischer then helps you heal your gastrointestinal system through natural approaches like research-based targeted nutritional therapies and custom herbal formulations.

Natural Health Specialists LLC offers a convenient subscription plan in which monthly payments give you access to expert naturopathic care (six-month minimum required). Patients have monthly 30-minute private telehealth appointments with Dr. Fischer.  

To learn more about how improving digestive health can change your life, call the office or click online scheduling to set up your telehealth appointment now