Separating fact from hype when it comes to gut health

Dr. Melissa MacVenn of WellcomeMD Naples

Published in Napes Daily News - March 20, 2022

[Excerpt]

Physicians need copious amounts of scientific evidence before adopting new treatments, and they need to disregard the buzz of promotion. The fairly recent focus on "gut health," despite that unlovely label, has earned its attention. But there's more to consider.

Keep in mind that the personal health field attracts hype like a magnet pulls in iron filings. A British Medical Journal study of more than 800 news articles about gut health and probiotics found lots of celebration, but very little discussion of the limits of our knowledge. Critical context – such as, what treatments do not work? – was especially rare.

But gut health may offer help for some conditions, of a kind previously dismissed by traditional medicine. The mix of thousands of different species of bacteria, viruses and other "microbiota" along your intestinal tract can be an important regulator of inflammation throughout the body.  

A recent overview of research in the science journal Nutrients concludes that the health of this complex gut ecosystem has implications "for various conditions including obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, depression and cardiovascular disease."

Wait...depression? Not so well-researched is that surprising link between gut health and psychological balance that anyone who has experienced stress-connected stomach problems can likely testify to.

Click here to read the full article.

DR. MACVENN

Dr. MacVenn is a physician at WellcomeMD’s medical concierge clinic in Naples, Florida. She has been practicing as a supervising physician in a Naples medical clinic for the past four years, often for mature patients with complex medical conditions that require acute attention. Dr. MacVenn’s mission is to provide personal and proactive care for members. She understands that creating an effective wellness plan is a team effort, and helping members optimize their health requires face-to-face conversations and trust.