Digestion Problems are Common but Not Normal
Common digestion problems include bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, acid reflux, or GERD, ulcers, Helicobacter pylori, and nausea. I have helped hundreds of people address each of these problems safely, effectively, and naturally.
How to Fix Your Digestive Tract
My approach to dealing with the root cause of these digestion issues may require:
- An elimination diet. An elimination diet means removing foods that are common causes of inflammation in the gut. Determining which foods are explicitly causing trouble for you can be tricky, but common ones are dairy and gluten. You would strictly eliminate these for 3 weeks. Then try reintroducing them one at a time, with 3 days between introductions to determine the culprit food. The reaction to the food may not occur immediately when you reintroduce it, but it may be hours to days later.
- Food sensitivity testing is a blood test that checks your blood for antibodies to foods. If your immune system is making antibodies to food, the antibodies will bind to the target on the food (antigen). This antigen-antibody complex can deposit in your gut (or elsewhere) and create inflammation. Inflamed gut tissue doesn’t function as it should, resulting in digestive symptoms.
- Cleaning your gut of unwanted pathogens like certain types of bacteria or yeast. You can do SIBO testing to determine if there is a bacteria overgrowth in your small intestine. Frankly, I rarely do SIBO testing. The test costs about $300 and only provides minimal information (yes, you do have bacteria overgrowth, or no, you don’t). Cleaning bacteria overgrowth out of the small intestine without testing works and costs less than the test. You can also do stool testing to check for bacteria (good and bad), yeast, and parasites in your large intestine. If you’ve tried “gut cleanse kits” from the health food store, those don’t work long-term. What I would do to purge harmful bacteria or yeast from your gut differs from what those kits offer.
- Restoring beneficial flora. In some cases of digestion problems, introducing good bacteria—or probiotics—into the gut can be incredibly helpful. Probiotics can support healthy digestion, reduce inflammation, and restore balance to the gut microbiome, especially after illness, antibiotic use, or poor diet. However, in other situations, adding probiotics too soon or using the wrong strains can worsen digestion problems, leading to increased bloating, gas, or discomfort.
That’s why it’s essential to understand your gut environment before starting probiotic therapy. Not everyone benefits from a one-size-fits-all approach. Sometimes, the gut may need to be cleaned or rebalanced before introducing beneficial bacteria. As a naturopathic doctor, I can help assess whether probiotics are appropriate for you, which strains may be most effective, and the best timing for their use. With the proper guidance, probiotics can be a powerful part of healing digestion problems—but only when used strategically and tailored to your unique needs. - Repairing the Wall of the Digestive Tract: When addressing digestion problems, one of the most important steps—after identifying and removing triggers—is repairing the wall of the digestive tract. The lining of your gut acts as a barrier, protecting your body from harmful substances while allowing nutrients to be absorbed. When this barrier becomes damaged or overly permeable (a condition often referred to as “leaky gut”), it can contribute to ongoing digestion problems and even trigger immune reactions, food sensitivities, and inflammation throughout the body.
- To restore the integrity of the gut wall, your body needs specific nutrients and compounds. These include vitamin A, which supports mucosal health; short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which nourish the cells lining the colon; the amino acid l-glutamine, which is the preferred fuel source for intestinal cells; and n-acetyl glucosamine, which supports the production of protective mucus. Additionally, soluble fiber and beneficial bacteria are essential for maintaining a healthy gut environment and encouraging the repair process.
- That said, repairing the digestive lining is not a first step—it must come after addressing other contributing factors. If underlying issues like food sensitivities, imbalanced gut flora, or infections are not dealt with first, attempts to heal the gut wall are often ineffective. That’s why a strategic, step-by-step approach is crucial in resolving digestion problems long term and restoring optimal gut function.
It may sound difficult, but I can guide you through the process.
Testing for Digestion Problems
If you are struggling with digestion problems—such as bloating, gas, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, or discomfort after eating—comprehensive testing can help uncover the root cause so we can treat it more precisely and effectively. Common culprits behind digestion problems include food sensitivities, low stomach acid, bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), yeast overgrowth (Candida), parasites, enzyme deficiencies, or imbalances in the gut microbiome. Testing options may include stool analysis, SIBO breath tests, or food allergy and sensitivity testing. These tools can give us valuable insight into what’s happening inside your digestive system and help guide a targeted, individualized treatment plan.
That said, testing is not always necessary. In many cases, we can start with simple, effective interventions like an elimination diet to identify food triggers or use herbal protocols to cleanse the digestive tract of harmful bacteria, yeast, or parasites. These safe approaches can often bring significant symptom relief even without testing. However, when symptoms are more persistent, severe, or complex—or if you’ve already tried several treatments without success—testing for digestion problems can be a smart next step. It allows us to take the guesswork out of your care and get to the heart of the problem faster so you can start feeling better sooner.
Gut Health Tests
IgG and IgA Food Sensitivity Testing
Once testing provides detailed answers about what is happening in your body, we can more efficiently and accurately address the root cause of your symptoms. It allows for a more personalized and targeted treatment plan—especially when dealing with complex or ongoing health issues. However, testing is not mandatory. There are always effective non-testing options, such as dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal support, and therapeutic protocols based on symptoms and clinical assessment. Some patients prefer to start with these approaches, especially when mild symptoms or testing is cost-prohibitive.
If you pursue testing, it’s worth knowing that your extended health benefits may help cover the cost. Many plans offer partial or full reimbursement for lab work, especially if your benefits are structured as a Health Spending Account (HSA). These accounts typically allow you to use a set amount of funds yearly on various health-related services and tests—including those ordered by a licensed naturopathic doctor. Depending on your plan, coverage may fall under categories like “Lab Testing,” “Medical Testing,” or “Diagnostic Testing.” Before proceeding, reviewing your benefits booklet or contacting your provider to confirm what’s included is a good idea. These resources can make getting to the root of your health concerns more affordable and accessible.
Contact me if you have any questions about my targeted approach to digestion problems. Call me at 416-481-0222, email my assistant Maria at Maria, or DM me on your favourite social platform.
By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc, ND, updated April 3, 2025
Dr. Pamela has practiced as a naturopathic doctor in Toronto since 1999. She has received numerous “Best Naturopath in Toronto” awards. She is registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Dr. Pamela Frank uses a natural treatment approach that may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, diet, vitamins, supplements, and other natural remedies to restore balance and provide long-term resolution to almost any health problem.