What We Treat
Gut Health
Your gut health is the foundation of your overall well-being, influencing everything from your immune system and mood to your energy levels and skin health. Often called your “second brain,” your digestive system contains more nerve cells than your spinal cord and produces many of the same neurotransmitters found in your brain. When your gut isn’t functioning optimally, it can create a cascade of health issues that extend far beyond digestive symptoms.
At KALE Functional Medicine in Houston, we specialize in functional medicine gut health approaches that address the root causes of digestive dysfunction rather than simply managing symptoms. Our comprehensive protocols focus on natural gut healing through personalized testing, targeted interventions, and microbiome functional medicine strategies that restore balance to your digestive system and improve your overall health.
Signs and Symptoms
Gut health issues can manifest in obvious digestive symptoms as well as seemingly unrelated problems throughout your body. Many people experience chronic bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or irregular bowel movements including diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both. Acid reflux, heartburn, and feelings of incomplete digestion after meals are also common indicators of gut dysfunction.
Beyond digestive complaints, poor gut health often shows up as food sensitivities or intolerances that seem to develop out of nowhere. You might notice that foods you once enjoyed now cause discomfort, or that your list of “safe” foods keeps getting smaller. Many people also experience frequent infections, seasonal allergies, or autoimmune symptoms, as approximately 70-80% of your immune system is located in your gut.
Mood and cognitive symptoms are surprisingly common with gut health issues. Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, or mood swings can all be connected to what’s happening in your digestive system through the gut-brain axis. Sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and even skin problems like eczema, acne, or unexplained rashes may also indicate that your gut needs attention.
Some people notice they feel worse after taking antibiotics, have a history of frequent antibiotic use, or struggle with recurring yeast infections or bacterial overgrowth. Others may have been diagnosed with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) without finding lasting relief through conventional treatments.
How We Can Help
Comprehensive Gut Health Assessment
Our approach to gut health begins with thorough testing that goes far beyond what’s typically offered in conventional medicine. We use advanced stool analysis to evaluate your microbiome diversity, beneficial bacteria levels, and the presence of harmful pathogens including bacteria, parasites, and yeast overgrowth. This testing also assesses your digestive function, including enzyme production, inflammation markers, and intestinal permeability. We can identify specific imbalances that may be contributing to your symptoms and overall health challenges.
Microbiome Restoration
Your gut microbiome contains trillions of bacteria that play crucial roles in digestion, immune function, mood regulation, and even weight management. Through our microbiome functional medicine approach, we develop personalized protocols to restore balance to your gut bacteria. This includes targeted probiotic therapy based on your specific needs, prebiotic support to feed beneficial bacteria, and dietary recommendations that promote a healthy microbial environment. We also address factors that may be disrupting your microbiome, such as stress, medications, or dietary choices.
Natural Gut Healing Protocols
We focus on natural gut healing methods that support your body’s inherent ability to repair and restore optimal function. Our protocols may include specific nutrients that heal intestinal permeability, anti-inflammatory compounds that calm gut inflammation, and digestive enzymes that support proper breakdown and absorption of nutrients. We also address lifestyle factors that impact gut health, including stress management techniques, sleep optimization, and movement practices that support healthy digestion.
Personalized Nutrition Planning
Diet plays a fundamental role in gut health, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Based on your testing results and symptoms, we create personalized nutrition plans that may include therapeutic diets designed to heal your gut while ensuring you receive optimal nutrition. We help you identify and eliminate foods that may be contributing to inflammation or feeding harmful bacteria while introducing foods that support beneficial microbes and gut healing.
Root Cause Resolution
Rather than simply treating symptoms, we investigate and address the underlying factors that led to your gut health issues. This might include identifying and treating infections, addressing hormonal imbalances that affect digestion, supporting detoxification pathways, or managing stress that impacts gut function. We also look at medications, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to ongoing gut dysfunction.
Why Choose KALE for Gut Health
Advanced Testing Capabilities: We use cutting-edge diagnostic tools that provide detailed insights into your gut microbiome, digestive function, and inflammatory status, giving us the information needed to create truly personalized treatment plans.
Functional Medicine Expertise: Our approach addresses the interconnected nature of gut health with other body systems, recognizing that healing your gut often improves multiple aspects of your health simultaneously.
Natural Healing Focus: We prioritize natural gut healing methods that work with your body’s innate healing mechanisms rather than simply suppressing symptoms with medications.
Personalized Protocols: Every treatment plan is customized based on your unique test results, health history, and individual needs, ensuring the most effective approach for your specific situation.
Comprehensive Support: From initial testing through long-term maintenance, we provide ongoing guidance and support to help you achieve and maintain optimal gut health.
Proven Results: Our patients consistently experience significant improvements not only in their digestive symptoms but also in their overall energy, mood, immune function, and quality of life.
How to Book Your Gut Health Assessment
Taking the first step toward better gut health is simple and straightforward:
Schedule Your Initial Consultation
Contact our office to book your comprehensive gut health evaluation with our functional medicine team.
Patient Success Stories
I was happy to find a female – personal preference – doctor (MD) who could assist with all of my medical needs versus a nurse practitioner or chiropractor who was also doing holistic medicine. Dr. Rowley’s smile and compassion put me at ease immediately…
Donna J.
Member
Dr. Rowley is professional, relatable, and personable. I appreciate that she was a great listener and was patient in answering my questions. What’s more, I LOVE that I can contact her through telemedicine now!! Truly revolutionary experience in a doctor’s office!
Jess
Member
Second visit and I know so much. Melissa is kind, incredibly smart and not overwhelming in her advice. Excited to start my journey towards a healthier life. Front office and her nurse are wonderful as well!
Sally M.
Member
