Alpha-Gal Syndrome Starts With a Tick… But Recovery May Begin in the Gut
Understanding the Gut – Immune Connection, Intestinal Permeability, and Why Optimizing Gut Health May Support Healing By J. Dette Avalon, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC Important: This article discusses established science, emerging research, and my clinical perspective as a Family Nurse Practitioner living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome. While optimizing gut health may support overall...
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What to Do If Your GI-MAP Shows High Zonulin
By J. Dette Avalon, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC If you just got your GI-MAP results back and saw the word “elevated” next to zonulin, I want you to take a breath before you do anything else. I hear from people almost every week in this exact spot. They ordered the test because...
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H. pylori, Zonulin & Leaky Gut: What the Research Really Shows
By CJ Faucher, FNP-BC If you’ve been dealing with bloating, reflux, fatigue, food sensitivities, brain fog, or digestive symptoms that haven’t resolved with diet changes or supplements, it’s worth understanding a research area that’s still developing: the relationship between H. pylori, a protein called zonulin, and intestinal permeability sometimes called...
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15 Surprising Symptoms That Could Mean Your Gut Is Crying Out for Help: Why the GI-MAP + Zonulin Test May Hold the Answers
You’ve Been Told Everything Is “Normal”… So Why Don’t You Feel Normal? You’ve changed your diet. You’ve tried probiotics, digestive enzymes, supplements, and maybe even prescription medications. You’ve cut out gluten. You drank the green smoothies. You downloaded the meditation apps. You tried to get more sleep. And yet… You’re still bloated. Still...
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Zonulin: The Master Regulator Nobody Is Talking About Honestly (And Why It’s Wrecking Your Health)
The Protein That Changed How I Practice And That Most People Still Get Wrong Twenty-five years into functional medicine, I’ve watched a lot of ideas come and go. Trends, testing fads, supplements that had their moment and faded. I’ve been wrong about things. I’ve updated my thinking more times than...
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The Gut-Brain Axis: Why Testing Your Barriers Could Change Everything
Your Gut – It’s Not Just About Digestion Most people think about gut health in terms of bloating, gas, or food sensitivities. While these are common issues, the gut does much more than digest food. It operates as your body’s “second brain,” engaging in constant bidirectional communication with your central...
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Could Leaky Gut Be Sabotaging Your Body’s Ability to Make Natural Peptides?
Discover how intestinal permeability and bile acid dysfunction block your body’s natural peptide synthesis—and what to do about it. When I am asked about peptide therapy—whether it’s BPC-157 for gut healing or thymosin for immune support—I always ask the same question first: “Have we figured out why your body stopped...
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1-800-GI-MAP: What Your Gut Wants to Say to You
Ring, ring. You (groggily): “Hello?” Caller: “Yeah, hi, this is H. pylori. Sorry to call at 3 AM, but we need to talk about the burning sensation you’ve been ignoring. The acid reflux? The GERD symptoms? That’s ME trying to get your attention!” You: “Wait… who is this?” H. pylori: “Your stomach lining....
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“Is My Gut Really Leaky?” Understanding Zonulin Tests and What Your Results Actually Mean
You’ve probably heard someone mention “leaky gut” or maybe your practitioner suggested testing your zonulin levels. Now you’re wondering: is this real science or just another wellness trend? Here’s the truth: your gut health matters more than you might think, and understanding intestinal permeability can be genuinely helpful. But zonulin...
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Your Gut Is the Root Cause of Your Chronic Inflammation (And Why Wasn’t it Tested)
Table of Contents Why Nobody Tests Your Gut What Is Leaky Gut How Inflammation Spreads Complete Testing Protocol Healing Your Gut Order Testing Why Hasn’t Your Gut Been Tested? You’ve been sick for years. Maybe it started with digestive issues—bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements. Or maybe it started differently: Chronic fatigue that never lifts Brain fog and difficulty concentrating Anxiety or...
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