Digestion is an essential process; it allows the body to obtain nutrients from food. It involves the mouth, stomach, and intestines; however, other organs support digestion including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and gut microbiome.

Acupuncture therapy involves the use of thin, smooth needles that are inserted into specific locations, called acupoints, to help treat diseases. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), when qi, an inner energy of human beings that is vital to health, is imbalanced, illness and disease occur.1 The theory of acupuncture suggests that the flow of Qi can be rebalanced by activating acupoints, thus allowing more harmoniously flow throughout the body.1,2 Acupuncture provides a different approach from modern, Western medicine for treating many ailments because it has unique effects depending on the condition, helping to return the body to homeostasis

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host when they are consumed in adequate amounts.­1 The word comes from the Greek term “pro bios” which means “for life.”2 These microorganisms add to the gut microbiome, potentially increasing the populations of beneficial gut residents that already reside there. Probiotics work by interacting with the anatomical, physical, and microbiological barriers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.3 Some of the proven benefits of probiotics include supporting healthy immune function and inflammation, reducing the risk of diseases including GI and allergic diseases, improving metabolic health, and acting as an antioxidant.1,3,4 Probiotics support the development and maintenance of a healthy microbiome through various mechanisms including:1-5