November 20, 2024
Chronic bloating, acid reflux, constipation, fatigue, acne… These aren’t just quirks of your body—they’re signals screaming for attention.
If you’ve ever been told:
“It’s just IBS.”
“Take this antacid forever.”
“There’s nothing you can do.”
It’s time to challenge those assumptions.
Because everything has a root cause, and masking symptoms with prescriptions or over-the-counter (OTC) meds isn’t healing—it’s delaying the inevitable.
Let’s unravel some myths, reveal what’s really going on inside your body, and explore how to take a root cause approach to finally get relief.
Did you know your gut plays a role in:
Skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff?
Joint pain, chronic fatigue, and frequent colds or flus?
Food sensitivities and even autoimmune conditions?
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Low Stomach Acid:
The Domino Effect
What it does: Stomach acid breaks down food, absorbs nutrients and kills harmful bacteria.
What happens when it’s low:
Food doesn’t digest properly, leading to gas, bloating and food sensitivities.
Bacteria like H. pylori thrive, further lowering stomach acid and creating a vicious cycle of reflux and inflammation.
Surprising fact:
Many people with acid reflux don’t have too much stomach acid—they have too little. But they’re often prescribed PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), which suppress acid even further.
The consequences:
Nutrient deficiencies (hello, fatigue, brittle nails, and thinning hair).
Reduced immune function, making you more susceptible to infections.
2️⃣Bile:
The Unsung Hero of Digestion
What it does: Produced by your liver and gallbladder, bile helps digest fats, flush toxins, and maintain gut balance.
What happens when it’s sluggish:
Poor fat digestion leads to greasy stools and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Toxins build up, contributing to skin issues like acne and psoriasis.
Fun fact:
Insufficient bile production not only hampers fat digestion but also disrupts gut motility and microbial balance, contributing to symptoms like constipation, bloating, and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) (PMID: 29361826).
3️⃣ Microbial Imbalances:
Overgrowths and Their Symptoms
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, both good and bad. When the balance tips, symptoms arise:
Candida and yeast overgrowths cause dandruff, chronic headaches, pain, fatigue and sugar cravings.
Dysbiosis (even of “good” bacteria):
Leads to bloating, brain fog, and autoimmune triggers.
Link to autoimmune conditions:
A review of the gut-autoimmune connection highlights how certain bacterial strains in the gut can influence the immune system, potentially triggering or exacerbating autoimmune conditions. (PMID: 30921702).
4️⃣ The Problem with OTC and Prescription Solutions
Antacids, PPIs, laxatives, and antibiotics are often the go-to recommendations for gut issues. But here’s what they’re doing behind the scenes:
PPIs: Block acid production, leading to chronic nutrient deficiencies and poor immunity.
Research highlights that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can suppress stomach acid, leading to changes in gastric pH that may increase the risk of bacterial overgrowth, nutrient malabsorption, and even gastric cancer. A meta-analysis revealed that PPI use is associated with a 1.8 times higher risk of gastric cancer, especially in patients treated for H. pylori infection. Oxford Academic. MDPI.
Antibiotics: Kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, leaving your gut vulnerable.
Laxatives: Cause dependency, ignoring the underlying reasons for constipation.
Taking these long-term is like putting duct tape over a leaking pipe—it looks fine on the surface, but the damage is only getting worse.
How Specific Foods Trigger Reactions
If spicy foods, nightshades, citrus or any food sends your gut into chaos, it’s not the food—it’s your digestion.
Inflamed gut lining: Makes you more sensitive to irritating foods.
Enzyme deficiencies: Long-term food elimination can reduce the production of enzymes needed to break down those foods, making reintroductions difficult.
The solution isn’t avoidance forever—
Long-term avoidance of certain foods can reduce the production of necessary digestive enzymes, impairing the ability to digest those foods effectively. This phenomenon can perpetuate food intolerances, which can often be reversed with gradual reintroduction and enzyme support (PMID: 25105926).
Why a Root Cause Approach Works
Addressing the underlying causes of symptoms—like low stomach acid, sluggish bile, and microbial imbalances—not only eliminates discomfort but also:
Improves nutrient absorption (say goodbye to fatigue and hair loss).
Strengthens your immune system.
Resolves chronic conditions like dandruff, joint pain, and bloating for good.
This is the approach I take with every client—and it’s why they see lasting results when nothing else has worked.
xx, Chelsea C.