Gastroenterology is the field of medicine related to the digestive, or gastrointestinal, system. The stomach, intestines, liver, mouth and the anus are all part of the digestive system. As a naturopathic physician, the intense focus on how diet can affect the body leads to research and study into the digestive system and how different foods can affect different people. The naturopathic approach leads toward holistic gastroenterology by studying how digestive treatments can affect the rest of the body.
Dr. Brody not only studied gastroenterology specifically at the University of Bridgeport’s doctorate program, but he also worked directly with the founder of Utopia, Dr. Peter D’Adamo. Utopia takes the raw data collected from stool samples to create a microbiome analysis, giving the exact quantities of different bacteria found in the digestive system. This information allows naturopathic physicians to create a treatment plan tailored to fight specific bacteria, as well as narrowing down the list of possible diseases. Dr. Brody spent his residency with Dr. D’Adamo, both learning the Utopia software and the intricacies of the digestive system from one of its sharpest analysts. Currently, Dr. Brody can be found teaching a class on Gastroenterology he designed at the University of Bridgeport.
Holistic Treatment
As a naturopathic physician, Dr. Brody approaches the digestive system by considering how it influences the rest of the body. Hormones and neurotransmitters – the chemicals that carry signals to and throughout the brain – are both made in the digestive system. The digestive system is also home to the majority of the immune system. By tailoring treatments to improve these vital systems through holistic gastroenterology, Dr. Brody is able to widen his scope of care and create a more effective treatment plan.
Supplements play a key role in Dr. Brody’s treatment plans. Whether a patient needs to repair their digestive lining, reduce inflammation, repopulate or reduce bacteria in the microbiome, Dr. Brody has a supplement to help. However, supplements are meant to only do as their name suggests – supplement. The personalized diet Dr. Brody gives acts as the cornerstone of a patient’s health, giving their body exactly what they need to rebuild and function at its optimal potential. Supplements help improve any weak areas, flush out any bad bacteria, and repopulate the food bacteria to help the diet function properly. Dr. Brody’s ultimate goal is for the patient to wean off the supplements, using them for short-term support until the body can flourish on its own.
Why Focus on the Digestive System?
While naturopathic physicians are able to treat different aspects of the body, Dr. Brody chose to focus on the healing aspects of the digestive system. Starting when he worked in his father’s clinic at a young age, his interest in viruses and bacteria acted as a driving factor in holistic gastroenterology. During his residency, Dr. Brody frequently saw digestive issues. And once he treated his patients, he could never forget how happy they were once their symptoms went away. Bloating, gas, leaky gut, and other symptoms of digestive issues can create a large damper on our ability to function. By using the most up-to-date lab tests and research to treat patients, Dr. Brody’s goal is to be able to help us live our lives symptom-free.
To schedule an appointment, please contact the front desk at the Personalized Natural Medicine Clinic, located in the heart of Newtown, Connecticut.