By Jenny Siepka
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July 9, 2025
How to Heal Gut Dysbiosis Naturally: Herbs, GI-MAP Testing, and Red Light Therapy If you're bloated, foggy, inflamed, and still feel "off" despite eating clean—your gut is talking. Are you listening? 🦠 Gut Dysbiosis Is Not One-Size-Fits-All “Dysbiosis” is a buzzword in wellness—but what does it actually mean? It’s simply an imbalance in the gut microbiome—the trillions of organisms that live in your digestive tract. But dysbiosis comes in many forms: Overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria Loss of beneficial species Fungal overgrowth (like candida) Post-antibiotic gut damage Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Viral persistence Parasites You can’t treat them all the same way—and that’s where people often go wrong. 🧪 GI-MAP: Powerful, But Misunderstood The GI-MAP is one of our favorite tools at Valley Cryo. It gives us an inside look at what’s happening in the large intestine—the lower part of the gut where most elimination occurs. It tells us: Which good vs. bad bacteria are present How well you’re digesting food If you’re inflamed If your immune system is activated If parasites, viruses, or candida are showing up in the gut But here’s the catch: The GI-MAP is not a test for SIBO. SIBO happens in the small intestine—an area the GI-MAP doesn’t assess. So if you’ve got severe bloating, gassiness, or discomfort after meals and your GI-MAP comes back “normal,” it doesn’t mean your gut is fine. You may still have SIBO, and that requires different testing and a different protocol. 🦠 What About H. pylori? The GI-MAP does screen for Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining. And while many people carry it without symptoms, for others it’s a major disruptor—causing: Bloating Acid reflux Nausea Poor iron and B12 absorption Inflammation and fatigue It’s not always black and white. We look at symptoms, strain virulence, and overall gut function before deciding whether H. pylori needs to be treated. If it does, we use gentle, targeted protocols to restore balance without nuking the entire microbiome. 🚨 Common Symptoms of SIBO & Gut Dysbiosis If you’re experiencing any of the following, your gut might be sending distress signals: Digestive Symptoms: Bloating (especially after meals) Excessive gas or belching Constipation, diarrhea, or both Abdominal pain or cramping Acid reflux or heartburn Undigested food in stool Systemic & Inflammatory Symptoms: Fatigue and low energy Brain fog or difficulty concentrating Skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea Joint pain or stiffness Histamine intolerance (runny nose, rashes, itching) Metabolic or Nutrient Symptoms: Unexplained weight gain or loss Food sensitivities Nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12, D, etc.) Sugar cravings or blood sugar crashes Mood & Hormonal Symptoms: Anxiety or depression Irritability or mood swings Worsening PMS or cycle irregularity (yes, the gut impacts hormones!) Even just one or two of these symptoms can point to underlying gut imbalances. The longer they go unchecked, the more they can disrupt hormone health, immune function, and detox pathways. 🌿 So... What Do You Do About Dysbiosis? Once we know what type of dysbiosis you’re dealing with, we build a personalized protocol. This might include: 1. Herbal Antimicrobials For bacterial or fungal overgrowth: Oregano oil Berberine Neem, thyme, allicin Used in 4–6 week “kill” phases, followed by repair. 2. Immune + Natural Killer Support When viruses or stealth pathogens are present, we support the body’s internal army: Reishi, astragalus, olive leaf, larch 3. Probiotics Broad-spectrum or targeted strains—but only when the gut is ready. In inflamed or SIBO-prone guts, we may delay probiotics initially. 4. Fermented Foods (If Tolerated) Raw sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi can reintroduce helpful microbes—but only if they don’t cause gas or bloating. If they do, we wait. 5. Binders, Bile & Drainage Support We help open detox pathways with: Magnesium, bitters, bile salts Castor oil packs Charcoal or clay (as needed) 6. Red Light & Infrared Therapy Emerging research shows that red and near-infrared light can support gut healing by: Reducing intestinal inflammation Modulating the microbiome Improving gut barrier integrity Enhancing cellular energy (ATP) in the gut lining At Valley Cryo, we use these therapies regularly in gut-healing protocols to reduce systemic inflammation and support microbial balance. 📚 Source: Liang, J. et al. Photobiomodulation Improves Gut Dysbiosis and Intestinal Barrier Function. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2021. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.661706/full 💡 Final Thought: You Don’t Need a Gut Reset. You Need a Gut Strategy. If your gut is inflamed, your brain foggy, your belly bloated, and your mood off—it’s not just “normal aging” or bad luck. It’s a call for a deeper look. At Valley Cryo , we use advanced gut testing, functional nutrition, and proven protocols to help your gut heal—for real. 👉 Ready to Heal Your Gut? 📞 Call Valley Cryo 540-217-2831 and ask for Jenny 🌿 Personalized gut healing is just one test and one plan away. 📍 Charlottesville, VA ✅ Jenny's Wellness Disclaimer Disclaimer: The information I share is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am a Registered Nurse and Certified Functional Nutrition Coach, and while I draw from advanced training and experience in functional and longevity medicine, I do not prescribe or recommend specific medical treatments, medications, or therapies. Any discussions about peptides, bioregulators, supplements, or lab interpretations are intended to support your understanding and empower informed conversations with your licensed medical provider. Please consult with your physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any health protocol, especially involving prescription medications, hormones, or research-grade compounds.