A happy gut is vital to overall well-being. Tori Nelson knows this first-hand. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, Nelson has made it her life’s mission to help others improve their gut health.
The gastrointestinal system, or your gut, is the system your body relies on to take in and process nutrients. It also serves a larger purpose – it is a communication center and essential in aiding your body to fight diseases. From your nervous and immune systems to your mental health and moods, a well-cared-for digestive system is pivotal to your overall well-being.
Research has shown that the extent of your gut health is determined by the levels and types of bacteria in your digestive and intestinal tract. Hundreds of different kinds of bacteria, containing nearly two-million genes, live inside your gut. Along with viruses and fungi, they make the microbiome, known as the microbiota.
The bacteria in your gut either activates or suppresses inflammation to regulate the immune system. Inflammation – the response of the gut’s immune system to imbalance and general poor health – is the cornerstone of a range of conditions that affect the whole body, from allergies and asthma to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colorectal cancer.
Your gut bacteria also have an impact on your mental health. Dopamine, serotonin, and other significant neurotransmitters usually associated with the brain are released by the gut bacteria and are the body’s natural opiates. An irritated and inflamed gut can therefore trigger mood changes. It is no coincidence that people suffering from bowel disorders are more likely to suffer from mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Caring for and balancing the bacteria in your gastrointestinal system is a priority in managing the potential for inflammation and further complications as a result thereof.
Tori Nelson is a leading dietitian and founder of Tori Nelson Nutrition, a private health consulting practice. Nelson is a specialist in this area, having experienced the devastating impact of inflammatory gut disease herself.
A few years ago, Nelson found herself suffering from bowel irregularity, bloating, and recurrent mouth ulcers. She was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling of the tissues (inflammation) in the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Determined not to allow this to be a debilitating factor in her life, Nelson went after a natural healing solution to improve her gut microbiome and is now living disease- and medication-free.
“Doing research on my own to find answers led me to integrative and functional nutrition, a philosophy that aims to uncover the root cause of disease,” says Nelson. “It has become my passion to help others suffering who are left with nowhere to turn.” With a holistic approach to well-being, Nelson now focuses on helping her patients heal their gut health, improve symptoms related to autoimmunity, and assist with women’s health when it involves hormonal balance. By looking at all the elements of her client’s life, Nelson uses a science-based root-cause approach to attack the symptoms and let the body do the work it needs to do.
“When dealing with auto-immunity, inflammation is a major factor that needs to be addressed. It is so important in these cases to get inflammation levels down. People can be inflamed because of the foods they are eating, toxin exposure or things in their environment, gut dysfunction – things like bacteria overgrowth or parasites, stagnant lymph, and so on. Your body knows how to heal itself if it’s given the opportunity,” she exclaims. “We need to give it the ability to do so by taking away the things causing inflammation and adding the things that help nourish the body and allow it to thrive. In terms of diet, there are things that in general cause inflammation for most people dealing with gut issues and autoimmunities like refined sugars and processed oils. But, we typically will do testing to really evaluate how the body is responding to food to see if there are specific foods that might be triggering inflammation.”
For those dealing with gut issues, Nelson states that stool testing can be very helpful in getting a better idea of someone’s microbiome health. This tells the person about their digestive capability; for example ‘do they have enough good bacteria, are they dealing with overgrowth- H.pylori, parasites, or fungal issues.’ “There are a variety of factors that should be evaluated as to why someone is dealing with chronic health issues and higher levels of inflammation,” she says.
People often think that healing relies on removing things from their diet and environment which is often necessary, but Nelson explains that adding what the body might be missing is just as important.
“If we are depleted, our body simply won’t be able to heal. The body needs adequate nutrition to do its job and function well. When you think about improving the gut microbiome for example it is essential the body has proper nourishment so it can detox properly and move waste out. If someone is dealing with bacteria overgrowth for example we typically will do a gut protocol that involves certain supplements to target and kill bacteria. If someone’s liver is super stagnant or if they are lacking nutrients, then they are more likely to experience unpleasant symptoms during this process.” For example, while detoxing, humans have a higher need for things like zinc, copper, and magnesium. They might also increase sulfur-rich foods like broccoli sprouts and leafy greens that help with glutathione production. “Glutathione is a wonderful antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation as a result of detox,” Nelson says.
Because each individual is unique, Nelson uses functional lab testing for each patient to get a more precise clinical picture of what is going on and where we need to focus to improve.
She is quick to point out that restoring health to the gut is not a simple, quick fix. “Healing your body can be hard! And, you do need to be patient. This is typically why I like to work with someone for a minimum of six months.” she says. “It takes dedication and consistency to see real progress.” This is precisely why Nelson does the work she does. “I am here to guide and help you through the difficult phases of healing. I am here to help you achieve a true lifestyle overhaul so you can finally live a full and vibrant life,” she says.
Getting your body to thrive is what makes Nelson wake up every morning. Nelson partners with her patients so that they can get stronger each day until, like her, they can live their best lives without relying on medications and potions.
You can sign up for a 15-minute discovery call to ask this leading dietitian any questions you might have about getting your body into top gear!
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