Unlocking Gut Health: Functional Medicine Approaches with Dr. Ann Marie Barter

In this episode, Dr. Anne Marie Barter joins the show to discuss gut health and her experience practicing functional medicine in Colorado. Dr. Barter specializes in working with patients who have neurotransmitter disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as adrenal issues.

"I also see a lot of anxiety and depression. I think that that's how linked some of the some of the traumas to it. I mean, because if you're scared to eat all the time, you know, that that can be very stressful and very traumatic and then other lingering traumas and it's a cycle. " - Dr. Ann-Marie Barter

Dr. Ann Marie Barter is a graduate of the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon, an accredited 4- year Doctoral program that is considered a leader in evidence-based medicine, and the first Chiropractic school to be awarded a federal research grant. Her expertise in Functional Medicine expanded from basic metabolic function starting in the gut to working with patients with thyroid issues and hormonal imbalances to those with serious symptoms from toxic exposures such as heavy metals and various mold species. As well, she sees many patients suffering emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depression stemming from neurotransmitter imbalances. She is a firm believer in the “test-don’t-guess” method of diagnosis and uses many gold-standard diagnostic methodologies such as the GI Map, OAT and DUTCH tests to help get to the root cause of her patients’ symptoms. Not satisfied with helping just those in her immediate area, in 2019 Dr. Barter launched her first podcast. She regularly chats with experts from a variety of natural health specialties about a range of topics spanning all things functional medicine. In 2020 she added a YouTube channel to her repertoire to complement her podcast. In 2021 she changed the name of her show from the Fearless Health Podcast to the Gut Health Reset. She still discusses functional and alternative medicine with different experts, she just now focuses the show on the gut, since that is where our health (and its inverse) begins, after all.

Dr. Barter also delves into the complexities of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), noting that it can have various causes and symptoms such as bloating, severe food restrictions, constipation or diarrhea. She often runs stool tests to determine the root cause of IBS in her patients. She has found that many IBS patients have experienced trauma in their pasts. 

The conversation also touches on the role of stress in gut health and how addressing stress can be just as important as antimicrobial treatments when rebuilding a healthy gut microbiome.

Resources:
https://drannmariebarter.com/

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction Of Dr. Anne Marie Barter And Topic Of Discussion: God Health

00:03:46 Alternative Medicine Approach To Treating IBS Symptoms And Causes

00:06:04 Common Findings In Stool Testing For Digestive Issues

00:07:11 Common Issues Seen In IBS Patients: Leaky Gut, Digestive Enzyme Problems, Gallbladder Issues, Anxiety, And Depression

00:09:09 Why This Health Professional Won't Run Food Sensitivity Tests At The Beginning Of Treatment

00:12:50 Changes In Gut Health And The Challenges Of Maintaining It

00:18:10 Approaching The Diagnosis And Treatment Of SIBO: Considerations And Symptoms

00:20:34 Gut Repopulation And Mold Detection In Treating Chronic Infections

00:22:11 Personal Experience With Antimicrobial Herbs And Strict Diets For Health Results

00:27:45 Tips For Managing Diarrhea: Fiber And Binders Help

For a full show notes of this episode, click here