Nutrient deficiencies are more common than ever, but what if the problem isn’t simply what you’re eating—it’s what your body is actually able to absorb? In this episode, Tom Malterre, MS, CN, IFMCP joins host Amber Warren, PA-C, to explore the critical connection between nutrient deficiencies, digestion, gut health, and chronic disease through the lens of functional medicine.
Together, they discuss why optimal health depends on more than taking supplements, how modern environmental toxins and chronic stress contribute to poor digestion, and why low stomach acid may be one of the most overlooked root causes of fatigue, inflammation, and nutrient depletion. Tom also explains how gut dysfunction, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), and mitochondrial health are deeply interconnected, influencing everything from autoimmune disease to brain function and long-term vitality.
You’ll learn why conventional approaches often miss the root causes of nutrient deficiencies, how impaired digestion prevents your body from utilizing essential vitamins and minerals, and why restoring proper digestive function is foundational for lasting health.
Whether you’re struggling with fatigue, autoimmune symptoms, digestive issues, unexplained nutrient deficiencies, or simply want to optimize your health from the inside out, this episode offers practical, science-backed insights that can transform the way you think about nutrition and healing.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why nutrient deficiencies are more common than ever before
- How low stomach acid impacts digestion and nutrient absorption
- The relationship between mitochondrial health and digestive function
- Why proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may contribute to nutrient deficiencies and chronic disease
- How environmental toxins affect energy production and overall health
- The connection between gut health, food sensitivities, and autoimmune disease
- Why intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) develops and why it matters
- How gluten can trigger inflammation—even without celiac disease
- The role of elimination diets in identifying hidden food sensitivities
- Why functional medicine focuses on restoring digestion instead of simply replacing nutrients
- Practical strategies for improving digestion, nutrient absorption, and long-term vitality