Loomis Enzyme Therapy
Shannon Peterson, DC
The Loomis System® was developed to help healthcare providers identify and eliminate or reduce stress (chemical, structural, emotional) in the body. It recognizes that each body is biochemically unique, and must be evaluated to determine how stress is affecting normal body functions and processes, and how the body is compensating. Dr. Shannon Peterson is a Loomis trained provider who can help identify your stress, provide nutritional support, and guide you to healing and wellness.
Many health care providers advocate for whole foods, exercise, adequate rest, clean air and water, and mental and emotional stability as a part of a total wellness program. However, few recognize the importance of proper digestion, absorption, assimilation, and elimination.
Food enzymes are found naturally in raw foods, especially fruits, vegetables, sprouts, fermented foods, and some traditionally prepared foods. They act as catalysts to begin the process of breaking down nutrients before the food reaches the digestive system. Enzymes are removed to extend shelf life through processes like genetic modification, heavy refining, and radiation. While vitamins and minerals are often added back into the foods, the enzymes are not.
Metabolic enzymes are produced by the body and are involved in nearly every biological process, including energy production, tissue repair, immune function, detoxification pathways, and maintaining normal cellular function. The body relies on these enzymes to convert nutrients from food into usable energy and to support overall health.
The Loomis protocol provides us with biochemical evidence revealing how a person’s body is processing their daily food intake. In addition, it helps to determine which foods a person’s body is struggling to digest and assimilate. From this information Dr. Shannon can establish which enzymes a person is lacking and provide a personalized approach to nutritional and lifestyle changes as well as supplementary digestive and/or metabolic enzyme recommendations.
Improve Digestion with Food Enzymes
Symptoms that suggest you need to change your diet:
- Signs of indigestions (such as gas, bloating, occasional heartburn).
- You experience less than one bowel movement per day.
- You have soft bowel movements three or more times a day.
- You are frequently irritable and/or restless.
- You do not tolerate stress well.
- You frequently have stiff, sore joints.
These symptoms are listed in the order that your body handles its food intake; namely digestion, elimination, and then specific tissue response.
When we have used all our “magic bullets” without success, we should look for the obvious:
- Examine and modify the diet
- Improve digestion
- Nutritionally support your body
Nutritional Objectivity
We should not apply specific nutritional remedies to the population as a whole, as magic bullets for symptoms. You as an individual should be examined and supplied with specific nutrients to help your body meet increased nutritional demands and to support the health function of your body.
Loomis System® Diagnostic Tools
Signs & Symptoms Survey
This survey was designed to assist your health care practitioner in understanding exactly what struggles your body may be going through in order to deal with your current problem. You may have symptoms that don’t appear to have anything to do with the problem you are seeking care for, but are in fact directly related.
24-Hour Urinalysis
The body filters the blood through the kidneys and forms urine to cleanse the blood, removing excess nutrients, waste products and toxins. The 24-Hour Urinalysis can help determine if you are adequately digesting the food you eat, absorbing and using the nutrients you have digested, and eliminating your body’s waste products.
Homeostatic Digestive Palpation
Digestive problems and the resulting stress cause increased muscle tension associated with the digestive organs. A fasting palpation exam, compared to a second exam done after eating, allows your provider to evaluate what happens to each of your digestive organs when you eat. It is used in combination with the Signs & Symptoms Survey and the 24-Hour Urinalysis to help diagnose the cause of your digestive symptoms.