Chronic Bloating Is Not Normal
Bloating isn’t normal, and it’s your body asking for support. I’d dig into root causes: gut bugs, food triggers, motility, enzymes, stress, and more. Functional medicine isn’t a band-aid; it’s the blueprint for healing from the inside out.
I wouldn’t just sip tea and hope for the best. I’d get curious.
If I Were Experiencing GI Symptoms (Bloating, Reflux, Irregular BMs, GI Pain)
Here’s Where I’d Start:
Remove Inflammatory Foods
Eliminate ultra-processed foods, refined sugar, inflammatory oils (canola, soybean, peanut), artificial sweeteners, & carbonated beverages. These are some of the biggest triggers for gut inflammation, dysbiosis, & bloating.
Prioritize Restorative Sleep (7–9 Hours/Night)
Sleep is when your body repairs. Chronic sleep deprivation negatively impacts digestion, microbiome health, and hormone balance (especially cortisol and melatonin).
Regulate the Nervous System (Daily)
Chronic stress shuts down digestion. Use breathwork, gentle yoga, meditation, vagus nerve exercises, or grounding to activate your parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system.
Practice Mindful Eating
Chew thoroughly. Eat without distractions. Sit down to eat. Avoid rushing. Your body needs to feel safe to digest properly; this is a key but often overlooked step.
Incorporate Daily Movement
Walk after meals to stimulate digestion and motility. Gentle movement helps regulate the nervous system, supports detox, and relieves bloating and constipation.
Hydrate Properly
Drink filtered water throughout the day, away from meals, to avoid diluting digestive enzymes. Consider adding minerals or electrolytes for better cellular hydration.
Track Food & Symptoms to Identify Triggers
Use a food and symptom journal to begin identifying patterns. Even some “healthy” foods can be reactive for certain individuals, especially if leaky gut is present.
Work with a Functional Medicine Practitioner
Partner with someone who can help guide you through the root cause approach, not just symptom suppression. You’ll save time, money, and frustration with expert support !!! 👀
Run a Comprehensive GI Panel (ie, GI-MAP)
Functional testing can uncover hidden pathogens, inflammation, low enzymes, H. pylori, leaky gut, and dysbiosis, so you can stop guessing and start targeting.
Support Digestion Strategically
Once test results are in, you may benefit from:
Digestive bitters or enzymes
Stomach acid support (if appropriate)
Targeted antimicrobials or probiotics
Gut lining repair (e.g., L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, DGL)
