Blog

Who Should See an Integrative Gastroenterologist?

Posted on May 1, 2022August 31, 2022 by Lynne Ahn

As Wellesley, MA’s top integrative gastroenterologist, Dr. Lynne Ahn is contacted by many new patients who are not sure whether an integrative gastroenterologist is the kind of doctor they are looking for. The confusion is understandable — although integrative medicine programs are opening at top universities across the country, the idea of combining traditional medicine with holistic practices is still a newer approach than many patients are accustomed to.

Board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Ahn shares the following information to help prospective patients better understand who can benefit from integrative gastroenterology.

Foods to Help You Manage Your Stress

Posted on April 1, 2022August 31, 2022 by Lynne Ahn

If you are having trouble managing anxiety in your life, controlling your diet may be part of the solution. Foods can play a significant role in helping to reduce cortisol levels. Since cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, lowering it can have a positive effect on the amount of stress you experience in your daily life.

Dr. Lynne Ahn, a board-certified anti-aging regenerative medicine physician and integrative gastroenterologist, emphasizes the importance of eating whole foods rather than processed items. Below she discusses the types of food that can have the biggest impact on your stress.

Helpful Ways to Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Posted on March 1, 2022June 9, 2022 by Lynne Ahn

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and cramping. Research suggests that around 10 to 15% of Americans have this disorder, but that statistic is hard to pinpoint since at least half of people with IBS do not get a formal diagnosis. Women are about twice as likely to have IBS as men.

If you have IBS, you are no doubt already aware how uncomfortable the condition can be. Here, integrative gastroenterologist Dr. Lynne Ahn shares some useful tips for overcoming the worst of IBS.

Best Nutrients for Good Gut Health

Posted on January 11, 2022December 3, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

Microbes in your gastrointestinal tract make up your gut biome. The majority of these microorganisms consist of bacteria. Maintaining the good bacteria in your gut and minimizing bad bacteria is key to a healthy, well-functioning gut. The health of the gut also affects the brain and immune system. There is a very strong gut-brain connection, so what is happening in the gut also affects the brain (mood and cognition). In addition, a huge proportion — approximately 70% — of our immune system is in our GI tract.

The Many Benefits of a Medically Supervised Detox

Posted on November 12, 2021December 2, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

Is something just not right? You want to feel your best, but vague conditions nag at you. Our bodies are exposed to toxins every day, through food, air or skin. This exposure takes a toll. Board-certified Gastroenterologist Dr. Lynne Ahn of Ahn Point Wellness discusses how a medically supervised detox enhances you physically and mentally.

Common Treatments for Thyroid Disorder

Posted on September 13, 2021August 24, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that control your metabolism. If you are diagnosed with thyroid disease, it means that your body has problems producing the right amount of thyroid hormones. An imbalance in thyroid hormones can manifest in a variety of medical symptoms — your weight, energy levels, muscle strength, digestive health, cognitive function, mood and tolerance to hot and cold temperatures can all be impacted by thyroid disease.

Individuals in and around Boston with thyroid disease seek out Dr. Lynne Ahn for personalized expert care. She stays at the forefront of advances in conventional and integrative treatment for thyroid disease, so she can offer her patients the best care possible.

Endoscopy vs. Colonoscopy: What’s the Difference?

Posted on July 15, 2021August 24, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

Endoscopy and colonoscopy are medical procedures that involve the use of a special camera to look at parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In this post, Dr. Lynne Ahn will review the differences between the exams, including the reasons why a person may need one or both, and the diseases that each exam can detect.

Understanding the Types and Benefits of Magnesium Supplements

Posted on May 16, 2021April 27, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

Magnesium plays a vital role in the optimal function of your body and brain. It is important for many chemical reactions in the body. This standout mineral is known to promote heart health, support muscle function and calm your mind of stress and anxiety.

Magnesium can be found in foods like spinach, chard, avocados, black beans and almonds. But according to Dr. Lynne Ahn, magnesium deficiencies are very common. An alternative way to get magnesium is through nutritional supplementation.

A quick trip to the drugstore or an Amazon search will turn up many different types of magnesium supplements — each with its own unique use and formulation. But before purchasing anything, you should have your magnesium levels tested and discuss the results with Dr. Ahn so you can find the supplement amount and type specific to your needs.

In this post, Dr. Ahn breaks down some of the forms of magnesium, so you can get an idea of which one may be most appropriate for your health and wellness needs.

Covid-19 and your Microbiome: It’s all about the GUT…

Posted on March 19, 2021March 22, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

Increasing evidence shows the importance and impact of the gut microbiota on health and disease. There are clear associations of the gut microbial environment with intestinal infections, C. difficile, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, allergic diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders.

In a new observational study in Gut, by Yeoh and colleagues, correlation between gut microbiota composition, cytokine levels and inflammatory markers among COVID-19 patients demonstrated that the gut microbiome is linked with the severity of COVID-19. Gut microbiota alterations in association with immune dysregulation revealed that gut microorganisms are likely involved in the modulation of host inflammatory responses in COVID-19. Results showed gut microbiome changed among patients with COVID-19 vs. individuals without COVID-19 regardless of whether patients received medication (P < .01)

The authors show that selected gut commensals are depressed in the COVID-19 state compared with non-COVID controls. “Several gut commensals with known immunomodulatory potential such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale and bifidobacteria were underrepresented in patients and remained low in samples collected up to 30 days after disease resolution,” Yeoh and colleagues wrote. “The dysbiotic gut microbiota that persists after disease resolution could be a factor in developing persistent symptoms and/or multisystem inflammation syndromes that occur in some patients after clearing the virus,” the authors wrote.

With mounting evidence that gut microorganisms are linked with inflammatory diseases within and beyond the gut, these findings demonstrate an urgent need to understand the specific roles of gut microorganisms in human immune function and systemic inflammation. The article by Yeoh et al is an interesting and compelling discussion of how the gut microbiota may have an impact on this disease state. “Bolstering of beneficial gut species depleted in COVID-19 could serve as a novel avenue to mitigate severe disease, underscoring importance of managing patients’ gut microbiota during and after COVID-19.”

Yeoh YK, Zuo T, Lui GC, et al
Gut microbiota composition reflects disease severity and dysfunctional immune responses in patients with COVID-19
Gut 2021;70:698-706.

Telltale Signs You Could Benefit From Hormone Replacement Therapy

Posted on March 17, 2021April 27, 2021 by Lynne Ahn

Hormone imbalances are a nearly unavoidable part of getting older. When your hormones are out of whack, you may experience a range of unwanted side effects — including brain fog, joint aches and sleep disturbances — that impair your health, mood and quality of life.

Hormone replacement therapy with Dr. Lynne Ahn can level out your hormones and help you feel happy and healthy. Read on as she reveals signs that you could benefit from hormone replacement therapy.