Functional Testing for Gut Health: Getting Beyond the Surface

When standard tests come back “normal” but the bloating, reflux, and fatigue persist, something important is being missed. Standard gastroenterology panels are built for diagnosis, not discovery. They confirm disease when it is already visible. Functional gut health testing works differently. It looks for dysfunction before it becomes full pathology, mapping the microbial terrain, metabolic […]

How Gut Bacteria (SIBO) Create Pressure and Reflux

TL;DR: SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) occurs when bacteria colonize the small intestine, where they typically do not belong in large numbers. These bacteria ferment carbohydrates, producing gas that raises intra-abdominal pressure and can force open the lower esophageal sphincter. Research strongly links SIBO and GERD, with a 2025 study finding GERD is an independent […]