Gut Feelings

Besides the pronunciation of “Appalachian” (please ask me if you’re so inclined 😉), I think it’s pretty clear that the other hill I will die on is the paramount importance of gut health. I know, I sound pretty dramatic, but it’s crucial to understand that our digestive system is central to healing both related and seemingly unrelated issues. As someone dedicated to a holistic approach, I’m certainly not saying it’s the only thing, but I am saying it’s priority ONE. 

You might be wondering why I would make a claim like this, especially if what ails you has nothing to do with your digestion and you don’t have any obvious symptoms to speak of. Well, the first thing I would say to you is, “Are you sure you don’t have digestive symptoms?” Too often we normalize things like heartburn, gas, bloating, not pooping every day, or having more urgent bathroom trips. Friends, if you’re having any of these things regularly, it’s not normal, and according to 2022 research from the American Gastroenterological Association, 40% of Americans had to stop routine activities, like socializing and errands, due to uncomfortable digestive symptoms. 

But let’s get back to the point. If you are truly one of the lucky ones who has nary a digestive symptom, then you might think that the gut is something you can skip over in your healing. Not so! 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common non-digestive issues I see in my practice and unpack why the gut still comes first. 

Skin Health

The gut-skin axis is a real thing! When our gut flora is out of balance, (AKA dysbiosis), or we’re eating foods that trigger an immune response, it can lead to inflammation, which often manifests as skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea. Additionally, digestive dysfunction – things like low stomach acid or poor bile flow from the gallbladder – can allow undesirable bacteria to set up shop in your gut, as well as reduce the absorption of important skin-supportive nutrients like zinc and Vitamin A. We can also see an increase in hormonal acne as imbalanced flora in the gut can contribute to impaired estrogen clearance from the body. By nurturing a healthy gut, we often see significant improvements in skin health. 

Mental Health

Our digestive system and brain are intricately connected through what’s known as the gut-brain axis. Our gut health can directly influence our mood and mental health, and vice versa. Gut imbalances can affect neurotransmitter production. In fact, about 90% of the “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin is produced in the gut. Certain bacteria can also produce something called LPS, which are inflammatory molecules that can cross the blood-brain barrier and influence brain function, potentially leading to mood disorders. Additionally, chronic gut inflammation can activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, our stress response system, leading to increased levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression, creating a vicious cycle of stress and poor gut health.

Energy Levels

Proper digestion and nutrient absorption are essential for energy production, and when your gut isn’t functioning optimally, your body can’t effectively convert food into energy, leaving you feeling tired and drained. Dysbiosis can reduce the efficiency of digestion, lowering nutrient absorption and robbing your body of the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to produce energy. Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability due to small intestinal damage, allows undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This triggers an immune response and chronic inflammation, which can sap your energy and leave you feeling fatigued. Imbalances in the microbiota can also affect how your body processes carbohydrates, leading to spikes and crashes in blood sugar that can make you feel tired and lethargic.

Aches and Pains

Again, leaky gut triggers an immune response as 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. This can result in chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation that manifests as joint pain and muscle aches. Sometimes, there can be a chronic and overactive immune response leading to more advanced conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other inflammatory disorders. As I mentioned with mental health, certain problematic bacteria produce LPS, which also travels through a leaky gut, contributing to that widespread inflammation and pain. Just as with skin health and energy, poor gut health can result in malabsorption of essential nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are critical for reducing inflammation and maintaining joint and muscle health. Lastly, the gut-brain connection I mentioned above also plays a role here, as an unhealthy gut can influence the central nervous system, altering pain perception and sensitivity. 

Weight Gain

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in metabolism and how the body stores fat. Certain gut bacteria are more efficient at extracting calories from food, so if you have a higher proportion of these bacteria, you might absorb more calories from the same amount of food compared to someone with a different microbial composition. This can lead to weight gain over time. It’s also important to have enough beneficial gut bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids, which help to maintain a healthy metabolism and regulate appetite. As I’ve shared several times now, dysbiosis and leaky gut can cause inflammation, which can promote insulin resistance. When your cells don’t respond properly to insulin, your body stores more fat, particularly around the abdomen.

Hormonal Health

The gut plays a role in hormone production and regulation. As with the hormonal skin issues I mentioned earlier, the microbiome is involved in the breakdown and elimination of estrogen. An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to reabsorption of estrogen into the bloodstream, causing elevated levels and contributing to estrogen-dominant conditions such as PMS, endometriosis, and heavy, painful periods. Additionally, the gut-brain axis is involved in managing the body’s response to stress. If not functioning properly, this can allow for the overproduction of cortisol, throwing off the balance of other hormones. As I mentioned above, conditions in the gut can increase insulin resistance, which can contribute to conditions like PCOS and, for men, low testosterone. In addition to reproductive hormones, the health of the gut affects thyroid hormones as about 20% of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) is converted into the active form (T3) in the gut. And, finally, chronic gut inflammation can disrupt the entire endocrine system, affecting the production and regulation of hormones overall. 

Ultimately, healing starts from within and, specifically, in the gut. Now, maybe all my drama and big claims at the beginning of this post have started to make sense! 

If you’re ready to dive deeper into how your gut health might be affecting your overall well-being, I’m here to help. With a combination of objective data from advanced functional testing and a compassionate, holistic approach, we can uncover your root causes and create a personalized plan for your health journey.