Welcome toThe Natural NP

You are correct! Your gut microbiome refers to the healthy and not so healthy bacteria and flora that live in your gut. A more diverse and healthy microbiome helps fight off illness, inflammation, and all sorts of acute and chronic conditions. Improving your microbiome can even help you feel happier and more alive.

Your gut microbiome interacts with many of your body systems and assists with many body functions. It plays such an active role in your body that some healthcare providers have described it as being almost like an organ itself.

You can think of your gut microbiome as a diverse native garden that you rely on for nutritious foods and medicines. When your garden is healthy and thriving, you thrive, too. But if the soil is depleted or polluted, or if pests or weeds are overrunning the helpful plants, it can upset your whole ecosystem.

Healthy microbiome = Healthy gut = Healthier YOU

Many of us live in a “fight or flight” mode for an extended period of time, which releases cortisol, ”the stress hormone”, in excess. Cortisol is helpful when we need the extra energy in dangerous situations. However, our bodies have yet to adapt to a constant state of cortisol excretion. Long periods of excess cortisol production will fatigue our adrenals, thyroid health, and ultimately worsen our cardiovascular health. The key is, you guess it- balance. At The Natural NP, we can offer lab testing that tests your cortisol levels as well as your adrenal, thyroid, and overall endocrine health.

Toxic exposures and cumulative toxic burden are already vital considerations during clinical assessments for chronic disease treatment, and for strengthening resilience and overall wellness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with toxicity takes on increased importance. An overloaded body burden requires ample energetic resources for those metabolic processes involved with biotransformation and detoxification pathways, potentially impairing the availability of those resources for an adequate immune response to viral infection. In addition, exposures to toxicants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are potential factors in the development of several chronic diseases and have also been associated with immune system dysfunction – Institute of Functional Medicine.

“Somewhat independent of people’s choices, the things which in the past have been normally considered healthy, or at least neutral, are now becoming significant sources of toxins for people.”

– DR. PIZZORNO