Bloating is a frustrating and often elusive symptom, as it can stem from a wide range of underlying causes.
I could list all the potential causes out, but honestly most digestive dysfunction stems from inflammation due to food intolerances, pathogens, microbiome imbalances, and stress.
The GI Map and MRT food sensitivity tests can tell you exactly which pathogens or overgrowths are contributing to your symptoms, and through our work together we often can figure out how your body got to this place to begin with, and how to get out.
Understanding the root cause of your digestive distress is majorly beneficial in your healing journey and feeling your best again, which is exactly why I utilize these tests with clients in my practice!
My protocols always include sustainable daily habits that actively work on restoring your microbiome and managing your stress with diet and lifestyle.
Lab testing + nutritional therapy = no more digestive discomfort.
But, back to bloating!
The Importance of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl):
Digestive function relies on our stomachs to be in a specific acidic environment for the whole process to work. If our stomachs are too alkaline, food doesn’t get properly broken down, digestive hormones, like secretin and CCK, aren’t secreted & signals to the small intestine aren’t communicated. So our food sits in our stomachs, ferments, and causes bloating. Everything gets out of whack without proper HCl secretion and stomach acidity.
When we have low HCl, we usually also have heartburn, gas/bloating, H. pylori, parasites, and more.
Did you know that zinc is a co-factor to hydrochloric acid?
But don't take a zinc supplement willy-nilly - it can lower sodium levels and tank your adrenals if you are already depleted. Test with an HTMA first to find out if you need to supplement with zinc, and get your zinc from foods like oysters & red meat.
Stress is a huge contributor to low stomach acid. More on that in a different email….
For now, here are some tips and tricks for combating bloating:
- Take digestive bitters before meals to stimulate the secretion of gastric juices.
- Sip carminative herbal teas to ease gas and bloating. Herbs in this category include: peppermint, ginger, fennel, coriander, chamomile, cinnamon, turmeric.
- Chew your food and eat your meals in a parasympathetic state (instead of fight or flight, think rest and digest).
If you've done all the things and the bloating just isn't going away... some deeper imbalance could be at play and you might consider testing to get to the bottom of it.
Check out my website for more info on lab testing and nutritional therapy!
Thanks for reading!
Blair
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