Gastroparesis Unlocked: Addressing the Root Causes for Lasting Relief

Gastroparesis, a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying, can be frustrating and debilitating. Common symptoms like bloating, early satiety, nausea, reflux, and malnutrition often persist despite conventional treatments. Fortunately, a holistic and integrative approach offers renewed hope by addressing the root causes of dysfunction.

Understanding the Root Causes of Gastroparesis

While gastroparesis is often associated with diabetes, post-viral syndromes, or idiopathic nerve damage, many patients suffer from overlapping functional gastrointestinal disorders. This includes small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, and autoimmune triggers. Identifying these root contributors are essential for long-term success.

Key Diagnostic Tools Include

• SIBO breath testing using glucose or lactulose to rule out bacterial overgrowth that slows motility and produces excess gas.

• Food allergy/sensitivity testing, including IgE, IgG4, and IgG panels, as well as complement C3a (CA3) to uncover inflammatory reactions to common foods.

• Autoimmune markers such as thyroid antibodies (TPO, TgAb) and ANA panels, which may reveal underlying Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune diseases impacting motility.

• Micronutrient testing, including vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, homocysteine, and MTHFR gene status, to identify deficiencies that impair nerve function and tissue repair.

Supporting Gut Health to Address Gastroparesis

While identifying and treating the root cause of gastroparesis is a major step in the right direction, it doesn’t fully resolve the problem. Root cause diseases that impact GI health also damage the integrity of the gut wall and disrupt the gut microbiome. If these areas aren’t repaired in addition to root cause treatments, issues are likely to recur.

Rebuilding the Gut Wall: Peptides and Nutraceutical Support

Many with gastroparesis have fragile gastrointestinal linings, impaired mucosal immunity, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Peptide therapies and nutritional support can help restore tissue integrity, modulate inflammation, and improve function—often without side effects.

Integrative Peptide Tools:

• Oral BPC-157: A stable gastric pentadecapeptide that supports endothelial and mucosal healing, reduces inflammation, and promotes angiogenesis.

• Oral Larazotide Acetate: A tight junction regulator that can reduce gut permeability and downstream immune activation. Especially helpful in leaky gut-related gastroparesis.

• Oral KPV (Lys-Pro-Val): A tripeptide that powerfully modulates mast cells and cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α. Ideal for hypersensitive, histamine-reactive patients.

• Injectable Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4): A regenerative peptide that aids in tissue remodeling, nerve regeneration, and modulation of the immune response—particularly helpful in autoimmune-related or post-infectious gastroparesis.

Supporting the Gut Terrain: Probiotics, L-Glutamine, and Cod Liver Oil

Products for Gastroparesis.

Once inflammation is reduced and the mucosa is supported, rebuilding the terrain of the gut becomes essential.

• Comprehensive high-dose probiotics (50–100 billion CFUs) with multiple strains help rebalance flora, reduce methane or hydrogen-producing bacteria, and support digestive immunity.

• L-glutamine powder is a critical fuel for enterocytes (intestinal lining cells), promoting mucosal regeneration and barrier integrity.

• Cod liver oil delivers both omega-3s (EPA/DHA) and fat-soluble vitamins A and D, which are crucial for epithelial repair and immune modulation.

Sensitive and Sustainable Care

Patients with gastroparesis often have a sensitive constitution—tolerating very few supplements or foods. Fortunately, peptides like BPC-157, KPV, and Tβ4 are extremely well tolerated and integrate smoothly into protocols without triggering flares. By starting low and slowly titrating up with powders or liquids, practitioners can personalize care to match the patient’s tolerance level.

Final Thoughts

True healing in gastroparesis goes beyond managing symptoms. By embracing a root-cause, systems-biology approach—integrating functional testing, peptides, and targeted nutraceuticals—patients may experience real progress. Whether the cause is post-infectious, autoimmune, or idiopathic, the tools of modern integrative medicine offer a path forward that honors the complexity of the gut and the resilience of the body.

If you are tired of suffering from gastroparesis, Natural Medicine of Stillwater may be able to help. Contact us today.

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