Digestive health is more than a to-do on a wellness checklist. At Avena Natural Health, our naturopathic doctors in San Diego have seen people frustrated by sluggish digestion, discomfort, or chronic symptoms that don’t respond to the usual approaches. That’s where oral peptide therapy steps in, aiming to be part of a thoughtfully layered, naturopathic strategy that honors the body’s natural rhythms while offering real results.
What Is Oral Peptide Therapy?
Oral peptide therapy means taking small, naturally occurring chains of amino acids by mouth. These peptides—like linaclotide and plecanatide—target the gut’s signaling mechanisms. They aren’t some futuristic, untested fix. They interact with receptors and pathways already at work in your body. That alignment matters for lasting, balanced results.
How Linaclotide and Plecanatide Actually Work
Let’s talk specifics without jargon getting in our way. Linaclotide and plecanatide mimic peptides your gut already uses. They activate certain receptors on the intestinal lining, which encourages fluids into the gut and helps stool move. That means less strain and more predictable outcomes. It’s a shift toward natural rhythm, not forcing things, which fits the ethos here.
Why This Matters to People Seeking Digestive Balance
When digestion falters, even simple tasks feel fraught. By respecting your gut’s biology instead of hammering it with aggressive drugs, oral peptide therapy can be part of a more humane, grounded way forward. We hear time and again from people who’ve tried every quick-fix without success. This approach can feel like a breath of relief rather than a squeeze of pressure.
How This Fits Into A Holistic Treatment Strategy
Our approach at Avena blends conventional wisdom with caring intuition. If someone comes to us feeling they’ve been treated like a symptom instead of a person, it’s about listening first. Maybe it’s addressing nutrient gaps, stress, or inflammation, and like treating Ulcerative Colitis sensitivities. Maybe we bring in IV therapy to support hydration and nutrient levels while peptides are doing their work in the gut. All of that layers in service of real, daily life comfort.
Addressing Common Concerns About Oral Peptide Therapy
People often wonder: “Will this cause bloating similar to hormonal weight gain?” Digestive shifts can bring mild bloating at first, but with guidance—diet, fluid intake, mindful pacing—it usually eases. That’s why paying attention to the whole person, not just a pill, matters. If something seems off, we tweak the plan, because no two people are alike.
What’s It Like to Begin Oral Peptide Therapy?
Starting something new is nerve-wracking. Maybe you’re cautious, maybe hopeful, and that’s absolutely okay. We begin with a conversation. What’s your daily life look like? Have you tried anything else, like dietary changes or fiber tweaks? We answer all your questions, because you should know what’s happening and why. Then we introduce linaclotide or plecanatide at a thoughtful dose, checking in regularly. It’s not heroic to muscle through discomfort. It’s smarter to work with what your body is telling you, and that’s what we aim for.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re tired of juggling discomfort, inconsistent digestion, or treatments that don’t fit your rhythm, know you’re not alone. You deserve more than quick fixes—you deserve nourishment that honors how you really live. Oral peptide therapy might be what changes things for you.
Contact us to explore whether this approach fits your journey. We’ll walk it through together.
Media Credit: All photos licensed from Adobe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I notice a difference?
Some people notice changes in a few days. For others, it might feel more gradual. That’s absolutely normal.
Are there side effects I should know about?
Occasionally mild cramping or loose stools happen early on. We monitor and adjust. Most side effects settle as you go.
Can I take oral peptides with other treatments?
Yes. Often, it’s paired with dietary changes or supplements—always with full context. Sometimes even peptide therapy in San Diego gets combined with lifestyle or nutritional support, wherever you’re based, because context matters.
What if I stop taking it—will symptoms return?
They can, if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. That’s why it’s rarely a one-and-done. It’s more of a reset tool, one that helps the body recalibrate while we sort out what’s behind the issue in the first place.
Is this suitable for everyone?
Not everyone. It’s important to evaluate your unique case—your medical history, gut patterns, and what’s already been done. That’s part of how we do things here.
Dr. Laura Kostrzewski, a San Diego native, completed her undergraduate degree at California Polytechnic State University, earning a BS in animal science with minors in Spanish and Psychology. She then earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and taught fifth grade in the central coast of California for two years. After being extremely involved in her grandfather’s journey with Parkinson’s disease and end-of-life care, Dr. Kostrzewski decided to move back to San Diego and enroll at Bastyr University California. Dr. Kostrzewski received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University California in June of 2019, and then went on to complete her residency at Bastyr. Before AVENA Wellness, DR. K started her own private practice, focusing on management of neurodegenerative conditions, and continued teaching at Bastyr as adjunct faculty, until founding Avena Health.