Gut Repair 101
Struggling with digestive issues, anxiety, inflammation, low energy or difficulty losing weight?
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?”
I’ve got you. And, guess what? Bloating, gas pains and bathroom troubles are just the obvious symptoms of an imbalanced gut.
Gut health affects the whole body — hormones, immune function, inflammatory status, brain health (focus, attention, mood) cardiovascular health, and weight.
When the gut microbiome is out of balance, you may experience brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, or skin conditions.
"But I eat a healthy diet!"
Maybe you already eat nutritious foods. Unfortunately, that’s not always enough. Gut issues can affect anyone. Truly.
Chronic stress, food sensitivities, infections, or the antibiotics you took for an infection last year. These and many other factors may be at play. Having gut issues doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong.
I’ve got you. I can help you feel better in ways that are both flexible and realistic.
What is "gut repair?"
Think of your gut like an engine. Over time, stress or illness may make the gears sticky. The goal isn't to replace the engine. We only want to tune it up, to help it do what it was designed to do.
We work to help your body to break down food efficiently again (and say goodbye to gas, cramps, and bloating).
We work to help you gut lining to absorb nutrients from your meals (hello, energy!)
We work to help your internal ecosystem of bacteria and other healthy flora to achieve, and maintain, a friendly balance. (balanced, mood, hormones, regular bowel movements).
Gut repair is not an all-or-nothing process
We don't flip a switch overnight. We take a gradual approach that fits with your lifestyle.
Is there dietary restriction? Some, but it’s temporary and doable. And guess what? The gut-happy foods we add or boost during gut repair are as, or more, important as foods we take away!
Are there supplements? Yes, and they’re customized to your symptoms and test results (see below). They help in several ways: to foster microbial balance; to support smooth digestion, and to nourish the gut lining, which may help reduce inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption.
After gut repair, we reintroduce eliminated foods one at a time. Often you’re able to eat foods that bothered you before!
Ready to stop guessing? Book a free discovery call to share your story with me and to see how I can help you.
“I don’t have gut issues — why would I need gut repair?”
If eating a salad makes you bloated, or you experience acid reflux or irregular bowel movements, these are specific, nagging signals your body is sending you.
But the gut is connected to many systems in your body. Sometimes gut imbalances show up in other ways.
"Silent" signals
Many people experience changes in how they feel and just chalk it up to aging. Sure, aging may be in the mix. But quite often, the gut is at the core of symptoms that can be improved or remedied with gut repair. 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 is taking steps to help steer clear of bigger problems down the road.
Your labs are "normal.” But you don’t feel normal.
It’s incredibly frustrating to see a doctor, explain your symptoms, but be given no clear path forward because your labs are “normal.”
Standard medical testing helps diagnose or rule out disease, and it may capture warning signs of a potentially serious issue. But many standard lab tests don’t reveal root causes of how you feel.
When it comes to gut health, comprehensive stool testing can be extremely insightful. The test results — viewed in the context of of your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and health history — can help point to potential root causes, and inform next steps to help you feel better.
We’ll look under the hood
I use a stool test that analyzes the DNA of microorganisms living in your digestive tract. Wild, right? It looks at your microbial ecosystem and reveals imbalances among healthy and unhealthy flora.
It measures specific bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. It also provides insights about how well you’re digesting your food, the health of your gut lining and provides markers of inflammation.
Testing is a tool, not a requirement.
The data provided by a comprehensive stool test 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? I’m happy to answer your questions.
The lifestyle piece
Sometimes my clients brace themselves for a massive overhaul. Not to worry. That’s not how gut repair works.
In reality, gut repair is about abundance. It’s about trusting your body. Boosting anti-inflammatory foods, chewing well, and learning practical, effective ways to manage stress so that your body can respond and feel better.
The nutrition changes are doable and sustainable for your life. My approach is collaborative. We move at your pace, and without pressure to be perfect. In some sessions, we might focus on a big step. And in others we’ll stay the course, maintaining wins you’ve already achieved, or troubleshoot on a new symptom, or change in your routines you find challenging.
I’m here to guide along the way through logistical or habit-related challenges that can get in the way.
The process & results
My gut repair clients feel better, plain and simple.
Some report that their symptoms have completely resolved. (I’m still giddy when this happens!)
For others, improvements are significant but may take a bit longer. For example, a recent client’s bloating and constipation resolved, and he lost 12 lbs. But he still has occasional heartburn. So we’re working on stress management, a common contributor to heartburn, and extending a small part of his overall gut repair plan.
Sometimes gut repair is quick — it takes just a few months. Other times it takes longer, due the complexity of a person’s health status.
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 I’ll tell you more about how I can help you.
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 meet you.
