Gut Health & Chronic Illness Expert in LA

Dr. Ilana Lewis (she/her)

Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Doctor

Dr. Ilana Lewis, naturopathic doctor specializing in gut health, seated in an armchair with natural sunlight and greenery, Los Angeles

I am a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor in California, practicing in Eastside Los Angeles.

Many of my patients come to me after years of unanswered questions, dismissed concerns, and feeling like they’re not being heard. I specialize in identifying the root causes of chronic illness—often starting with gut health and environmental toxicities. Whether you’re struggling with fatigue, pain, brain fog, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, or a diagnosis that doesn’t fully explain your symptoms, I offer a personalized, whole-body approach to help you finally get clarity.

“Due to an undiagnosed chronic medical condition that I have had for many years, I found Dr. Lewis as a Naturopathic doctor. I felt completely blessed when I found her. I am a month into my treatment plan and I have already started to feel like a new person. What makes her unigue is she is easy to talk to, she is very kind, patient and attentive. She listens to everything in your history and all your angst about what you have been through in your previous medical travels. She documents everything down and doesn't want you to miss anything before she assess her plan of action.If I could give Dr Lewis a 10 star, as she deserves, I would have. I would recommend Dr. Lewis if you want to thrive in your life and live your life to the fullest. She's a god sent!”

R.S.
Dr. Lewis has been an absolute lifesaver for me. After struggling with gut, skin, and chronic pain issues that traditional doctors couldn’t resolve, she diagnosed me with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and gut dysbiosis. The medications and supplements she prescribed as part of my customized care plan brought immediate relief and hope, reducing my symptoms and systemic inflammation. What truly sets Dr. Lewis apart is her compassionate, authentic, wise, and dedicated approach to patient care. She provides gentle, empowering solutions that don’t feel restrictive or overwhelming, which is especially important for someone like me with medical trauma and a busy family life. Her grounded presence fosters trust and comfort, qualities often missing in conventional medicine. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking effective, comprehensive care for complex health challenges. Thank you Dr Lewis for my returned vitality and joie de vi·vre.

S.H.

GUT INSTINCTS:

HEALING REIMAGINED

1. Gut-centered Healing

At the heart of my practice is a fundamental belief: optimal health begins in the gut. Decades of research—and an ever-growing body of evidence—underscore the critical role the gut and its intricate microbiome play in overall wellness. Whether you’re experiencing specific digestive concerns like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, or nausea, or struggling with systemic issues like depression, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, frequent infections, eczema, acne, or autoimmunity, the gut often plays a central role.

Our microbiomes face unprecedented challenges in today’s world, from processed and nutrient-depleted food systems to overuse of antibiotics and medications, exposure to environmental toxins, chronic stress, and a lack of connection to nature due to our increasingly indoor and sedentary lifestyles. These factors weaken our vital systems, making it more important than ever to proactively support and restore balance.

As a gut health expert, I work with patients experiencing a wide range of digestive concerns, including SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), IBS, bloating, GERD, leaky gut, and food sensitivities. Additionally, by optimizing digestion and microbiome health through a personally tailored and targeted treatment plan, we can often unlock improvements in areas that seem unrelated— like hormonal balance, weight, cognition, inflammation, mental health, or chronic fatigue— creating a ripple effect of healing throughout the body. Healing the gut is not just about digestion; it’s about restoring the body’s ability to function as a whole.

2. Addressing and Clearing Environmental Exposures

Modern life introduces countless environmental toxins that disrupt our bodies' natural balance, particularly in the gut. Sometimes, no amount of gut healing will fully resolve symptoms until we address what's continuing to inflame or dysregulate the system. Environmental toxicants like mold, heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can drive inflammation, immune dysfunction, and nervous system dysregulation.

I support patients dealing with complex conditions such as mold toxicity, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and chronic infections—all of which can significantly impact overall well-being. In my practice, I focus on identifying and removing these toxicities with individualized treatment strategies. Once these stressors are addressed, we rebuild and strengthen the body through diet, lifestyle changes, and gut restoration. By cultivating resilience, we equip the body to better withstand the ongoing environmental challenges of modern life. This proactive approach not only clears the path for healing but also sets the stage for long-term vitality.

3. Harnessing the Body’s Innate Wisdom

Our bodies are not broke. They are constantly working to maintain balance, even when things feel chaotic. I believe the body is both intuitive and incredibly capable of healing and functioning optimally when supported correctly. Rather than overwhelming the body or silencing symptoms, I work to gently support the body’s natural healing processes.

This approach is especially important for those navigating chronic fatigue and pain syndromes, hormonal imbalances, or autoimmune conditions, where conventional medicine often falls short. By reconnecting with your body’s innate wisdom and learning to interpret its signals, you can move beyond surviving and into a state of thriving.

With the right tools and guidance, healing becomes an invitation for patients to trust their bodies again and reclaim their vitality. My goal is to help you redefine wellness—so you feel vibrant, resilient, and free to live fully. With the right tools and support, lasting balance becomes possible.

Tools Used

Botanical Medicine, Nutraceuticals, Pharmaceuticals, Muscle Testing, Applied Kinesiology, Homeopathy, Biotherapeutic Drainage, Neural Injection Therapy, Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations, Microbiome Testing, Standard & Specialty Lab Testing.