Gut Repair 101
Struggling with digestive issues and wondering if “gut repair” will help? You’re in the right place.
Perhaps you landed on this page by searching "gut health" or "why am I bloated?” (Or constipated, or have belly pain, gas, or … )
I’ve got you. And, guess what? These are just the obvious symptoms of an imbalanced gut.
Oftentimes, the gut influences health outside of your digestive system as well. It can affect hormone balance, immune function, and inflammatory status. So when it’s out of balance, you may experience brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, or skin rashes.
I wish the answer were a simple 7-day juice cleanse. But that’s not how gut health works.
In fact, you may be like many of my clients – you already eat a nutritious diet. As a result, you may suspect specific food triggers, or wonder about the role of chronic stress or the antibiotics you recently took. All of these factors, and more, can be involved with how you’re feeling now.
You’re looking for answers, expertise, guidance. And ultimately great results.
I’ve got you. I can help you feel better in ways that are both flexible and realistic.
What is "gut repair?"
Some social media posts and articles imply that gut health requires you eat a perfect diet, often full of restrictions.
That isn't sustainable. Or necessary.
Gut repair is about supporting your digestive system so it can do what it was designed to do.
Think of your gut like an engine. Over time, stress or illness may make the gears sticky. Our goal isn't to replace the engine. We only want to tune it up.
We want to help your body to break down food efficiently again. To ensure you absorb nutrients from your meals and to keep your internal ecosystem of bacteria and other healthy flora in a friendly balance.
Most importantly, gut repair is not an all-or-nothing process. We don't flip a switch overnight. We take a gradual approach that fits your lifestyle.
Does gut repair require restriction? Yes, some. But I’ll build you a plan that’s temporary and doable, designed around your lifestyle. In fact, I’ve never had a client bail because they find gut repair too challenging,
What surprises many of my clients is that the gut-supportive foods you’ll add or eat more of during gut repair are as, or more, important as those you take away!
After gut repair, we reintroduce foods one at a time. Not only will you feel better, but you can go forward armed with knowledge and habits that help you maintain gut health and overall health well into the future.
Ready to stop guessing? Book a free discovery call to share your story with me and to see how I can help you.
The symptoms
When you think of gut issues, you may think about obvious digestive symptoms. These absolutely matter. If eating a salad makes you so bloated you look pregnant, or you experience acid reflux or irregular bowel movements, those are specific, nagging signals your body is sending you.
But the gut is connected to many systems in your body. So symptoms can show up in many other ways.
"Silent" signals
When I start with new clients, I take a full health history and hear about various challenges and goals. I’ve noticed a common thread. Many folks figure their symptoms are coming from stress or aging. Those can certainly be factors. But quite often, the gut is involved. A few examples:
Brain fog & mood: The gut and brain are constantly communicating. When the gut is inflamed, it can lead to difficulty concentrating, anxiety, or feeling reactive to stress.
Energy crashes: If you aren't absorbing nutrients properly, your battery won't charge. This looks like ongoing fatigue or blood sugar swings that leave you craving sugar.
Skin & joints: Your skin reflects your internal health. Acne, eczema, rashes, and joint pain are often linked with inflammation within the digestive tract.
Immunity: A huge portion of your immune system lives in your gut. If you catch every cold that goes around, your gut microbiome might need some backup support.
Not every symptom points to disease, but if you experience some of these issues on an ongoing basis, addressing them now may help you to avoid bigger problems down the road.
Your labs are "normal,” but you don't feel that way
It’s incredibly frustrating to see a doctor, tell them your symptoms, and then have them shrug because your labs are normal. You know you don’t feel normal. So you leave frustrated, without a clear next step.
Standard medical testing is great at helping to diagnose or rule out disease, and to capture warning signs of potential disease. But they don’t usually provide insights about what’s at the root of the issue, or what is optimal – what you can do to improve your health and possibly prevent disease.
When it comes to gut health, comprehensive stool testing is a helpful tool for both identifying root causes and informing next steps for feeling better. I specifically use the GI-MAP test.
A look under the hood
The GI-MAP analyzes the DNA of the microorganisms living in your gut. Wild, right? It looks at your microbial ecosystem to reveal any imbalances among healthy and unhealthy flora. It checks for specific bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. And for markers of inflammation. It even provides insights about how well you’re digesting your food and the health of your gut lining.
Testing is a tool, not a requirement.
Gut testing provides a great deal of meaningful data, which allows me to craft a detailed, individualized plan to help you. After I get your results, we’ll review them together, tweak your plan if needed, then you get started.
However, I don’t require my clients to take a stool test in order to work with me. I can lead you through gut repair without it.
Wondering if gut testing is right for you? Call me with your questions.
How gut repair looks in real life
If you’re wondering if gut repair means eating boiled chicken and steamed broccoli for three months, go ahead and exhale now. That’s the last thing I’d ask you to do!
In reality, gut repair is about abundance. It’s about trusting your body.
In our sessions, this looks like using food to counter inflammation, chewing your food well, and learning practical, effective ways to manage stress so that your body can respond and feel better.
It’s about me answering questions that pop up along the way, and providing you with resources about topics that interest you.
It’s about me helping you navigate the logistical or habit-related challenges that can get in the way.
The nutrition changes I’ll suggest are designed to be doable and sustainable for your busy life. In some sessions, we might focus on a big step. And in others we might stay the course, to help you maintain wins you’ve already achieved. Both are valuable.
My approach is collaborative. We move at your pace, and without pressure to be perfect. (How boring that would be!)
Next steps
Ready to stop guessing and start feeling like yourself again?
I promise you don’t need to figure anything out before you start with me. That’s my job. I will ask you questions and listen when you feel stuck. Together, we’ll find or create the answers that help you move forward.
Book a 20-minute call with me. You can share your story and hear how I can help.
In the meantime, check out my newsletter for nutrition education, health tips and easy, delicious recipes.
Nurturing gut health is a journey. I can’t wait to help you.
