Aventura Gastro Clinic

08/26/2025

🌿 Searching for the Root Cause of Digestive Conditions

Patients often ask: “What’s the root cause of my digestive issues?”
It’s a great question and the honest answer is that we’re still learning.

👉 Functional Digestive Diseases
Conditions like IBS, functional bloating, or chronic abdominal discomfort often don’t show up on standard labs or scopes. That doesn’t mean they aren’t real. It means the root causes are likely multifactorial involving gut bacteria, diet, stress, genetics, and environmental exposures.

👉 Where the Science Stands

Supplements like turmeric have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in validated studies, and they may support gut health in certain patients.

Other natural compounds are being investigated, but most need stronger evidence before we can routinely recommend them.

Processed foods, particularly those high in emulsifiers and additives, are being linked in research to gut barrier damage and inflammation. Our modern diet clearly plays a role in digestive health.

👉 The Path Forward
We aren’t at the finish line yet, but we are making progress. Future research into the microbiome, diet, and integrative therapies will help us connect more dots.

Bottom line: Functional GI disorders don’t have a single “root cause” identified yet but we know lifestyle, diet, and targeted supplements may help, and ongoing science is lighting the path forward.

Miami Gastro – Aventura
Your trusted partner in digestive health 🌱

Dr. Danny Avalos is a board certified gastroenterologist who provides consultations in Aventura.

08/26/2025

🌱 What is SIBO and Is There Really a Microbiome Test?

You’ve probably heard about the “gut microbiome” and the explosion of tests claiming to analyze it. Let’s break this down together.

👉 What is SIBO?
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It happens when bacteria that normally live in the large intestine start growing excessively in the small intestine, where they don’t belong. This can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. Diagnosis is usually made with a breath test, not by stool or microbiome kits.

👉 The Microbiome: Hype vs. Science
The microbiome is the community of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in our digestive tract. We know it plays an important role in digestion, metabolism, immunity, and even mood.

But here’s the key point:
🔬 While stool-based “microbiome tests” are widely marketed, there is currently no validated, FDA-approved test that can accurately tell you the health of your gut microbiome, or guide treatment for conditions like SIBO, IBS, or IBD.

👉 Why?
The science is still in the discovery phase. Researchers are mapping which bacteria are “good” or “bad,” but the gut ecosystem is so complex that we cannot yet use these results to make precise, personalized medical decisions.

👉 Bottom Line

SIBO is a real condition and can be tested with validated breath testing.

“Microbiome tests” are not ready for prime time—they may be interesting, but they don’t yet provide clinically actionable information.

The best way to keep your gut healthy? A balanced diet rich in fiber, regular exercise, stress management, and medical guidance tailored to your symptoms.

💡 If you’re experiencing digestive issues or are curious about SIBO, talk to a board-certified gastroenterologist. Don’t rely on unproven tests.

Miami Gastro – Aventura
Your partner in digestive health.

Dr. Danny Avalos is a board certified gastroenterologist who provides consultations in Aventura.

11/24/2024

🌟 Exciting News for Colorectal Cancer Prevention! 🌟

At our affiliated site, **Aventura Hospital**, we are thrilled to offer the groundbreaking **GI Genius** technology during screening colonoscopies. This state-of-the-art AI system significantly enhances the detection of colon polyps, helping to prevent colorectal cancer.

Clinical studies demonstrate that improved polyp detection with AI reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, ensuring the best outcomes for our patients.

We also know life is busy, which is why we provide a **Fast-Track Colonoscopy** option. With a pre-procedure telemedicine consult, we streamline the process, letting you skip unnecessary office visits and focus on what matters: your health.

Don’t wait—schedule your screening colonoscopy today and take advantage of this advanced technology to safeguard your future!**

📞 Call us now to learn more about GI Genius or Fast-Track Colonoscopy options! 786-589-5298

11/22/2023

Fatty liver disease without significant alcohol consumption was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This has now changed to “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease” (MASLD). As the name implies, fatty liver in MASLD is related to metabolic dysfunction. This is a chronic liver disease that may be associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. The estimated worldwide prevalence of fatty liver not associated with alcohol is around 38% in adults and 10% among children and adolescents. Fatty liver is a manifestation of this metabolic dysfunction and people affected are more likely to be affected by cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and more likely to be pre-diabetic or have diabetes. The main treatment is a healthy lifestyle with consumption of a diet rich in fruits, nuts, whole grains, seeds, and fish. The foods to avoid include ultra-processed food, red meat, sugar sweetened drinks, and fried foods. A 3-month vegetarian diet has been shown to reduce fatty liver. Similarly, a freshwater fish diet has been shown to improve fatty liver as compared with patients who consumed a combination of freshwater fish-based and red meat-based diets. Overall, both studies have shown that red meat should be minimized or avoided. Physical activity 3-5x per week for at least 30 minutes can help reverse this condition. Our clinic is now offering Fibroscan which is a non-invasive modality which can help assess for liver fat content and fibrosis.

1. Younossi, Z.M. et al. Lifestyle interventions in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 20, 708–722 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-023-00800-4

2. Garousi N. et al. Effects of lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet vs. standard-weight-loss diet on obese and overweight adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomised clinical trial. Arch Physiol Biochem. 2023 Dec;129(4):975-983. doi: 10.1080/13813455.2021.1890128. Epub 2021 Mar 9. PMID: 33689525.

11/21/2023

Insurance Network

Ambetter
Aetna (Commercial, Medicare HMO, PPO, Coventry Medicare HMO, PPO)
Blue Cross Blue Shield/Florida Blue
Conviva
Cigna (Open Access, PPO, HMO , Medicare Advantage)
Dimension PPO
Doctors Health Care Plans
Medicare
Molina Marketplace
Oscar
United Healthcare (Commercial)

11/21/2023

"Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease"

There is growing evidence that the Western Diet is partially responsible for being a "trigger" for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease). This may occur in genetically susceptible individuals. The western diet impairs the immune response at the epithelial layer in the digestive tract. The "epithelial layer" is the lining in the digestive tract that has immune functions. A Western Diet which is often enriched with simple carbohydrates, fats (saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol) and food additives (e.g, emulsifiers, food colorants, processed carbohydrates). These compounds can lead to compositional and functional alterations of the gut microbiota. Limiting "fast foods", red meat, and artificially sweetened beverages can decrease this risk.

11/21/2023

Welcome to Miami Gastro. We are a gastroenterology clinic which focuses on the prevention and management of digestive and liver disease. We understand the power of prevention as well as the dietary and lifestyle modifications that can promote health. We are here to guide you through your journey to better health!