Gastrointestinal problems are some of the most common complaints functional medicine practitioners face from new patients. However, many practitioners treat the gut with a one-size-fits-all protocol — probiotics, digestive enzymes, gut supplements, and a gut-healing diet that cuts out all the “bad” foods. Unfortunately, many patients continue to suffer because a cookie-cutter approach doesn’t work for many. This is because no two cases of leaky gut, dysbiosis, IBS, constipation, or other GI problems are alike. While a one-size-fits-all gut protocol might help, it still might not solve a person’s specific problem. For example, chronic constipation could be due to: Disrupted gut-brain axis caused by a previous head injury. Degeneration of the gut’s enteric nervous system. The release of gases such as methane in the small intestine that shuts down gut motility. Certain medications that impact gut function. Dysautonomia affecting the nervous system and gut function. Instead of a “shotgun” style …