20 Signs Your Gut Health Needs Love (And How to Fix It❤️‍🩹)

gut health gut testing Jun 20, 2024

Are you tired of dealing with digestive issues that affect your confidence and comfort –– despite all your efforts to fix them?

We've all been there, feeling overwhelmed with symptoms we can't quite figure out. I remember being at my wit's end, taking more supplements than actual food, clutching a stack of lab tests, and hearing my doctor say, "everything looks normal" –– again. Sound familiar?

If you're anything like me, you've probably tried more diets, protocols, health challenges and self experimentation than you'd like to admit. Unfortunately, all those efforts left me emotionally, physically and financially spent. Not to mention, the shitty relationship with food I developed.

After years of digging deep to solve my own health issues, let me save you some trouble: health begins in the gut. Here's why gut health matters and 5 steps to improve yours:

Why Does Gut Health Matter Anyway?

The Four Main Functions of the Gut:

1) Digestive Function

The obvious one... the gut is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste 💩.

2) Enteric Nervous System (ENS): Your Second Brain

The gut produces and regulates hormones independently from the brain, influencing emotions and cognitive functions. Did you know that 90% of your body's serotonin and 50% of dopamine are made in the gut? This gut-brain connection means that stress and emotions directly affect digestive health, and vice versa 🧠.

3) Immune Function

The gut houses 70-80% of the body's immune system –– it's the largest mass of lymphoid tissue. A healthy gut is crucial for a robust immune system. No wonder there's so much backlash post antibiotics💊.

4) Detox Function

The gut helps detoxify the body by removing estrogens, toxins, and other waste products. A sluggish gut can lead to toxin buildup, overflowing into the skin, kidneys and lungs. Hello breakouts at 40 👋.

20 Common Signs Your Gut Health Needs Love

Belching
Flatulence
Bloating
Acid Reflux
Heartburn
Cramping
Constipation
Diarrhea
Mood Swings
Low Energy
Irritability
Blood Sugar Imbalances
Irregular Periods
PMS Symptoms
Low Libido
Hair Loss
Joint Pain
Skin Flare-Ups
Allergies
Autoimmunity

Do some of these surprise you? Did you know you could have no obvious digestive symptoms and still need to work on your gut health? Many other body systems depend on healthy digestion, like: hormones, brain function, skin, mood, energy, and sleep. Check out all the ways your gut influences nearly all symptoms👇

The truth is, the gut is "the mother of the body", intimately connected to every other touchpoint in your body, controlling so much more than just digestion. It's the epicenter of your well-being. When the gut is unwell, it can manifest in various ways beyond the common "gut symptoms." Addressing gut health can improve energy, mood, skin, and even immune function.

5 Steps to Support Your Gut Health

Ensuring your body effectively digests and absorbs nutrients is key to getting results in the gym, enjoying quality sleep, better sex, a healthy metabolism, and the energy to enjoy life. Some of these tips may seem insignificant, but they are essential to optimizing digestive function - further reducing the stress on ALL of your systems downstream. Don't underestimate the power of the basics!

Implement these in order; one by one.

1) Healthy Eating Habits

Mindful Eating: Sit down, be the slowest eater at the table, and chew your food well. Remove distractions and create a connection with your food. Digestion begins in the brain!
Consistent Meal Schedule: Eat all meals at roughly the same time everyday (within 30-60 minutes of that time), every 4-5 hours to help your body regulate hormones. The body loves consistency!

2) Eat Supportive Foods

Protein Optimization: Aim for 6-8 oz of lean meat per meal (about 30-40 grams of protein). Proteins provide essential amino acids for gut repair and overall health. Animal foods are the recommended source.
- Examples: Eggs, poultry, beef, lamb, pork, fish, shellfish.
- Bonus: Meats are great sources of zinc, important for stomach acid production, digestion, and hormone balance.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies: Add at least 1-2 servings per meal. This helps provide micronutrients and prebiotic fibers to support your gut bacteria.
Bitter Foods: These help stimulate digestion and bile flow needed for healthy fat digestion and the absorption of fat soluble vitamins; A, D, E and K.
- Examples: beets, bitter greens, giner, lemon, lime, grapefruit

3) Mineral Balancing

Sodium and Potassium: Start with these two essential minerals for nutrient absorption, food metabolism, and digestion speed.
- Examples: Salt food well and add a pinch to your water. Include high-potassium foods like potatoes (with skin), avocado, kiwi, yogurt, coconut water, and aloe vera juice.
- Incorporate Electrolytes: Use adrenal cocktails or electrolyte supplements (these are my favorites).

4) Supplemental Digestive Help

Use practitioner-grade supplements for stomach acid, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Access the exact supplements I use with my clients through my Fullscript recommendations –– plus recommendations on how to choose the right one for YOU.

5) Functional Lab Testing

Functional lab testing, paired with and in-depth health assessment, can identify nutrient deficiencies, pathogens, toxins and the specific best actions to take for YOUR body.
After 7+ years of clinical experience I’ve found the most efficient and cost effective place to start is with Blood Chemistry and Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). I’ve put them together in my Signature Gut Healing Package, with 1:1 support.

Ready to transform your health? Join our Signature Gut Healing Package now and start your journey towards a healthier, happier you. Let's get your gut back on track together!