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Your Digestive System and How It Works

An evidence based overview of how your digestive system works, from the NIDDK, and why gut health is foundational to overall wellness.

About This Resource

Understanding how your digestive system works is a foundational step in a root cause approach to health. This resource draws from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to explain digestive function in clear, accessible terms.

Why We Share It

At Nepute Wellness, gut health is one of the first areas we assess because it influences far more than just digestion. This resource helps you understand the foundation that makes gut health so important.

Why Gut Health Is Foundational

At Nepute Wellness, gut health is one of the first areas we assess. Research consistently demonstrates that the digestive system influences far more than just digestion: it affects immune function, mental health through the gut brain axis, nutrient absorption, hormone balance, and inflammation throughout the body.

The NIDDK provides excellent foundational information about how the digestive system works, and we share this resource because understanding the basics helps you understand why we take gut health so seriously.

How Digestion Works

Digestion begins in the mouth and involves a coordinated process through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and supporting organs (liver, pancreas, gallbladder). Each stage serves a specific purpose in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste.

The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs. This is also where the gut microbiome is most concentrated and where disruptions may have the greatest impact on overall health.

The Root Cause Connection

Many patients come to Nepute Wellness with symptoms that seem unrelated to digestion: fatigue, brain fog, skin problems, hormonal imbalances, or chronic inflammation. Yet research published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology has demonstrated that gut health may be a root cause factor in many of these conditions.

This is why “Test, Don’t Guess” often includes gut health assessment. Understanding what is happening in the digestive system may reveal root causes that would otherwise go unaddressed.

Supporting Your Digestive Health

The NIDDK recommends several foundational strategies: eating a balanced diet rich in fiber, staying hydrated, managing stress (which directly affects gut function), and working with healthcare providers to address persistent digestive concerns.

At Nepute Wellness, we build on these foundations with targeted approaches including microbiome testing, food sensitivity assessment, and personalized nutritional counseling.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH. Public domain material used with attribution.

Root cause, not symptom management: your gut health may be the key to understanding your overall wellness.

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Also In This Collection:

Understanding Your Immune System
Understanding Stress and Your Body
Personal Health Inventory: What Matters to You
Knowledge Is Power

Wisdom Is Applying It To Your Life.

The digestive system influences far more than just digestion: it affects immune function, mental health, nutrient absorption, hormone balance, and inflammation throughout the body.
Valdes AM et al. BMJ, 2018
Many symptoms that seem unrelated to digestion, like fatigue, brain fog, and skin problems, may have gut health as a root cause factor.
Nepute Wellness

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Your Digestive System and How It Works

Your Digestive System and How It Works

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Hormonal imbalances are addressed through comprehensive testing to identify root causes such as nutrient deficiencies, gut health issues, stress, or metabolic dysfunction. Treatment may include nutritional support, lifestyle modifications, targeted supplementation, and addressing underlying factors affecting hormone production and balance.
The Seven Directives (Reveal, Reset, Remove, Recharge, Rebuild, Reboot, Refuel) form an action framework. We Reveal through testing, Reset foundations, Remove obstacles, Recharge energy systems, Rebuild damaged tissues, Reboot optimization, and Refuel with nutrition. Each directive guides specific interventions in your treatment plan.
Frequency depends on your condition and treatment plan. Initially, visits may be weekly or bi-weekly as we address acute issues and establish your foundation. As you improve, visits typically reduce to monthly maintenance. Some patients come weekly for ongoing optimization. We’ll discuss your recommended frequency based on your specific needs and goals.
Yes, with appropriate modifications. Chiropractic care is generally safe during pregnancy and can help with pregnancy-related discomfort. We use gentle, pregnancy-specific techniques and avoid certain adjustments. Functional medicine testing may be limited during pregnancy. Always inform us if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive so we can adjust your care plan accordingly.

IV vitamin therapy delivers essential nutrients directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for more efficient absorption. At Nepute Wellness, IV therapy may be recommended as part of your personalized care plan based on your test results.

Common IV formulations may include vitamins, minerals, and amino acids tailored to address specific deficiencies identified through blood work and other diagnostics. This therapy is designed to support your body’s healing process alongside other modalities like corrective chiropractic and neurological balancing.

Yes. Digestive issues are a core focus of our functional medicine approach. We use comprehensive testing to identify root causes such as gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities, SIBO, leaky gut, or nutrient deficiencies. Treatment may include gut restoration protocols, dietary modifications, targeted probiotics (like Master Microbiotics), and addressing underlying factors affecting digestion.

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My son, who is only 20, was told by medical professionals that he had an autoimmune liver issue. They wanted to do a liver biopsy. Then, they told him they thought he had a pituitary tumor in his brain that would require brain surgery to remove. A friend recommended Nepute Wellness Center. Dr Nepute was able to diagnose his actual issues in 2 weeks with proper xrays and bloodwork. No autoimmune diseases. No brain tumor. It was a soccer injury from 1.5 yrs prior that had just gotten worse and caused his liver to overwork and a domino effect on his health and organs. We have been going there 3 weeks now and we are both feeling better. My son isn’t tired and can have full range of neck motion. His organ function is back to normal. Thanks Dr Nepute and team! All of you are wonderful!
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I had a wonderful experience at Dr Nepute’s Wellness Center. They are all very thorough and everyone working there are so nice. I’m excited for my body to heal itself!
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Happy someone recommended Nepute Wellness Center to us and appreciate the thorough approach they take before starting treatment!
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All the helpers are doing a good job trying to help me get my body doing better.
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Best place ever to get your energy back plus your posture. Everyone that works there is just awesome. Thanks for all they do.
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The best wellness center around St louis
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Friendly caring staff. Dr Nepute is all about getting you to optimal health.
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The staff at Nepute Wellness are by far the best at putting the patient first. They find the source of the problem instead of addressing the symptoms. The quality of my life has greatly improved. Have
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I had been in pain for weeks. I tried everything that I could think of to get relief including a trip to the er. My husband suggested that we go to Nepute Wellness (as we had been clients before) and with just one adjustment I am feeling much better. I trust the staff at Nepute Wellness and will continue to go back.
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Our whole family loves The Nepute Wellness center. It’s been 8 years we have been getting treatment here. It’s kept us healthy & helped my chronic pain more than anything I’ve ever done. We all highly recommend them. ✨️ ✨️ ✨️ Edit after reading reviews as a person with nothing to gain here I would like to add. Dr. Nepute is not for everyone. I can see why some may not like him. He only speaks the truth & that is hard to hear when you’re not ready. However if you are ready to take your life back, make some real changes in your health I would really suggest making an appointment to see for yourself before you listen to the naysayers. This office helped me take control of my health for the first time in my life I am not a slave to big h ar ma. My only hope is everyone finds the help they need to live a great life! God bless
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I have had problems with digestion for years. I am a healthy 62 year old Dental Hygienist and live a healthy active life. However my stomach issues have been there for years. Being a healthcare provider, I’m always cautious and leery of claims of boosting health energy etc. That was until I started following Dr Napute’s and vice, and watching his videos, I finally got the Digestive Enzymes and Warrior Water! Oh my goodness! These 2 products have changed my life and stomach forever! Almost completely eliminated my heartburn and night time acid reflux, I feel better, more energy, sleep better, the list goes on! I will never go a day without these 2 products! Thank you Dr Napute! Just so you know, I often tell my dental hygiene patients about you! Thank you Dr.! God bless you for spreading the news about these great products and educating us about healthy choices! Blessings, Lisa B. San Diego CA
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Functional Medicine Clinic in St. Louis, MO

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