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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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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

The DNA Discovery Kit uses a simple cheek swab or saliva sample collected at home. Your sample is analyzed at a CLIA-certified lab for over 900,000 genetic markers (SNPs). Results reveal how your genes affect nutrient metabolism, medication response, detoxification capacity, fitness potential, and disease predisposition. You’ll receive personalized insights and actionable recommendations based on YOUR unique genetic blueprint.
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.

Neuro Arp Wave therapy uses a specialized 50,000 galvanic DC current to stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This advanced modality may help support neurological rebalancing by encouraging the brain to communicate more effectively with the body’s organs and systems.

At Nepute Wellness, we use Neuro Arp Wave as part of our approach to addressing the root cause rather than masking symptoms. Many patients who experience chronic pain, neuropathy, or neurological imbalances may benefit from this therapy as part of their personalized care plan.

We accept insurance for chiropractic services and some diagnostic tests. Blood panels may or may not be covered depending on your plan. Functional medicine consultations, advanced testing (DNA, HRV, thermography), and most exam packages are typically not covered by insurance. We can provide itemized receipts for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
As the first Powered by Biolimitless center, we use the Biolimitless methodology, T.H.I.S. Framework, and products. We’re pioneering the system that will scale globally. This connection provides access to advanced products, educational resources, and the global Biolimitless ecosystem while maintaining our local St. Louis practice.

At Nepute Wellness, your examination results are treated with the utmost confidentiality. All patient data, including blood work, brain mapping, DNA analysis, and consultation notes, is protected i

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Amazing care for our young athlete! Dr. Rachel and her team are the best!
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My husband and I have been going to Nepute Wellness for 9 years and it’s our 1 stop shop. Anything we need the staff and Dr Nepute are on it and providing the best care ever. I highly recommend them to family, friends etc…….we drive an hour and 15 minutes to see him. But it is worth it! Wish I knew about chiropractic care when my kids were little. ❤️❤️☺️
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Excellent service, diligent care and courteous workers. They make you feel at home here.
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100% the most caring chiropractors with top notch service. I have yet to see anyone coming into the office and not treated like VIPs!
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Best place I’ve been! I can definitely tell when I’m out of whack and it’s time to go back!
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I’ve been a client of the Nepute Wellness Center for probably 7 years now. Everyone on staff is super friendly and genuinely care about how you’re doing. I go weekly and just love that I do not have to make a specific appointment time. They do appreciate when you try to come on the same day each week. If you’re not able, it’s not a big deal. Nepute’s is such a multipurpose facility. They have taught me so much about nutrition along with different exercises I can do throughout the week. They are able to take X-rays and draw blood. This helps me keep an eye on my levels and numbers and catch anything that’s a little off before it becomes serious. They also have a nurse practitioner on staff at the facility in case you have some other issue like an earache, a rash, etc. The whole time I’ve been there I have had no need for a primary physician. . Oh, the babies and kids….I love watching them be adjusted. I wish I would’ve known about chiropractics when my kids were little.
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Getting healthy!
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This place is a warm & friendly atmosphere that helps relieve pain with various treatments & gets to the root cause of your pain by addressing that to help defend against future physical problems.
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Super friendly, engaging with you personally in your life and treatment. Always enjoy coming in
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The staff was so professional and organized. There was no long wait time and Dr. Nepute was very focused on the best way to get me well again.
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Thank you for your help And I am doing better you are amazing above the others please get a new nurse
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A place where the doctors care about your true health and help you fix it naturally! Always been nothing but pleased when going here. They work with you on everything to make sure you are healthy and don’t neglect yourself because of money or time. My son did a brain balance program there (no longer there though) and it helped him tremendously. Chiropractic care helps with any issue you may have! They always have the newest technology or therapy (like the laser that I recently used after a car accident I had) to help you be out of pain. I have carpal tunnel and regular adjustments keep my hand from falling asleep at night. pain goes away also. Highly recommend!
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Functional Medicine Clinic in St. Louis, MO

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