5 Signs your Digestive Issues Need a Holistic Nutrition Approach:
If you’re dealing with bloating, food intolerances, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or, have been diagnosed with “IBS” but your doctor keeps telling you your tests look “normal”…
It’s time to dig deeper.
Most women I work with come to me after trying things like:
Food sensitivity tests that leave them scared to eat a long list of foods
Elimination diets
Tons of supplements (eg. fiber, digestive enzymes, probiotics)
But their symptoms haven’t improved.
Your gut health impacts your energy, skin, hormones, and even your mood. When it’s out of balance, your body will send you signs, often unrelated to your gut. Think, anxiety, hormone imbalances, horrible periods and unexplained weight gain.
Instead of relying on band aid solutions, quick fixes or cutting out more and more foods, a holistic nutrition approach looks deeper.
It considers not just what you eat, but how your body is absorbing, breaking down, and using those nutrients..
Here are five signs your digestive issues may need a holistic approach:
Bloated is your “normal”
If you’re bloated after you eat, notice increased bloating as the day goes on or feel like you’re always trying to figure out which foods cause the bloat, it’s a sign your digestive system isn’t running optimally.
Despite what influencers on social media will try to sell you, your gut needs more than just a probiotic. And fun fact, probiotics often make gut issues worse rather than better because they feed bacteria. If the gut has an overgrowth of bacteria, this adds fuel to the fire.
This is where functional testing like the GI Map is so valuable.
Chronic bloating can point to issues like low stomach acid, leaky gut, imbalanced gut bacteria and mineral deficiencies.
The GI map is a comprehensive tool that analyzes your gut microbiome and identifies potential pathogens, parasites and yeast overgrowth.
It even assesses markers of inflammation, detoxification and digestive enzyme production.
The data I get from this test gives me clear insight into what’s actually causing my clients’ symptoms.
Instead of trying to heal your gut with random supplements or cutting out more “trigger” foods, a holistic nutrition approach helps to optimize your digestion so you can enjoy your favourite foods again, without the bloat.
Skin issues like Acne or eczema
Think of your skin as inflammation you can see.
Your skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside your gut. When your digestion isn’t working properly, toxins and hormones aren’t eliminated and this can lead to acne breakouts, eczema, or rashes.
Leaky gut, when the intestinal lining becomes permeable, can also trigger immune reactions that cause skin issues.
Gut dysbiosis plays a big role as well.
When bacteria, yeast, or parasites overgrow in the gut, they can contribute to inflammation that causes skin issues.
Nutrient deficiencies like zinc, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids (often due to poor absorption in the gut) can also contribute to skin problems.
You can’t shake the fatigue
Are you exhausted no matter how much sleep you get?
Does your energy crash in the afternoons?
Although this connection isn’t obvious, poor gut health is a common factor.
Low stomach acid, low digestive enzymes, or an inflamed gut due to pathogens like H. pylori and parasites, can the block the absorption of nutrients like iron, potassium, B vitamins, and magnesium that are needed to produce energy.
On top of that, chronic gut inflammation can activate your immune system, draining energy by keeping your nervous system in a state of fight or flight.
A holistic nutrition approach addresses the underlying reasons you’re so tired and focuses on strengthening your digestion so nutrients are properly absorbed.
You struggle with constipation
Despite what most women grow up thinking, having less than one complete bowel movement everyday, is common, not normal.
Going days without a bowel movement isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s a sign your body’s main detox pathway is backed up. When toxins and hormones aren’t eliminated daily, they can be reabsorbed into your body and contribute to symptoms like fatigue, PMS, painful periods and acne.
Constipation usually happens as a result of low stomach acid, mineral deficiencies, a sluggish thyroid or, imbalances in the gut microbiome.
Holistic nutrition addresses the root causes of constipation so that you can have unicorn poops, without depending on laxatives or fiber supplements.
You deal with anxiety
Did you know that around 90% of your serotonin, your “feel-good” neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and sleep, is produced in your gut?
The microbiome and good bacteria that live in your gut play a key role in neurotransmitter production.
When the gut is inflamed or in a state of dysbiosis (an imbalance between good and bad bacteria), neurotransmitter production can be disrupted.
This directly impacts your mood and can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Harmful bacteria also release byproducts that can increase anxiety, irritability and brain fog. These bacteria usually go undetected by conventional gut testing but we can identify their presence on a GI Map stool test.
Ready to stop guessing and start healing?
I’m here to help you uncover what’s really going on in your gut.
When we work together, we’ll use functional testing and create a step-by-step, customized plan that supports your gut health and hormones, without the endless cycle of restrictive diets, supplements, and quick fixes that don’t last.
Book a free discovery call today →
