Digestive problems lead to five major hormone-disrupting issues: lack of micronutrient absorption, imbalanced gut bacteria responsible for metabolizing estrogen, elevated cortisol levels, chronic inflammation of hormone receptors, and compromised serotonin production. Now, let's dive deeper into a few of the worst causes of digestive problems in women and how to address them. These include:
Food intolerances
Low stomach acid
Candida yeast overgrowth
SIBO [Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth]
Parasites
Addressing Food Intolerances
Most adults experience some form of food intolerance in their lifetimes. You can certainly see that in health stores: products free of gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, or nuts are now offered by countless small or big brands alike. And for good reason: There is growing awareness among consumers who see their health returning when they avoid trigger foods. The following foods are the most common causes of digestive stress: the big 7 are gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, peanuts, and nightshades [tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, chili peppers, and goji berries]. More people tend to have a problem with these foods. You can even have a sensitivity to 'healthy' foods. The best way to discover your food intolerances is to get an IgG food sensitivity test or do an elimination diet. With an elimination diet, you'll eliminate certain foods from your diet for a period of time and monitor your symptoms to see whether any resolve. If they do, that's an indication that you may have an intolerance to that food.
Addressing Low Stomach Acid
Low stomach acid also affects hormonal balance, and it is often overlooked as a factor in ensuring that the digestive system functions properly. Stomach acid is essential to the breakdown of vital nutrients. It allows for the digestion and absorption of trace minerals that are vital for good health, such as zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, selenium, and vitamins B3 and B12. Sufficient stomach acid helps absorb these nutrients. It also sterilizes the stomach, which helps kill off pathogens found in food and prevents the overgrowth of yeast, fungus, and bacteria. Even if you 'eat well', if you have low stomach acid levels, you likely aren't absorbing the food you eat, are nutritionally deficient, and may struggle with Candida overgrowth.
Addressing Candida Yeast Overgrowth
Candida Albicans is a common Cand highly opportunistic yeast that shows up in the digestive tract, on the skin, in the mouth, and in the reproductive organs. About 70% of women I work with suffer from varying degrees of Candida overgrowth at some point in their lives. It's normal to have Candida in the body, but too much Candida can result in symptoms ranging from cravings for sweets and digestive problems to brain fog. You don't need to be a sugar junkie to experience Candida overgrowth. If you were prescribed multiple rounds of antibiotics in the past, orif you use antacids, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, steroids, or anti-inflammatory drugs, your chance of developing Candida is much higher as well. Estrogen dominance can also fuel Candida's growth. Candida can mimic estrogen, contribute to systemic inflammation, and cause digestive distress. You're also susceptible if your immune system is compromised. Symptoms of Candida include: craving sugar and/or alcohol, mucus in the stool, feeling tipsy after drinking kombucha, athlete's foot, thrush, sinus congestion, ear infections, recurring vaginal yeast infections, and recurring urinary tract infections [and many more!].
Addressing SIBO
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth [SIBO] occurs when bacteria escape the large intestine and migrate to the small intestine, causing digestive havoc that manifests as chronic abdominal bloating and gas [no matter what you eat], belching, abdominal pain, food sensitivities, and fatty stool. One way to identify whether you could potentially be afflicted with SIBO is to try the low-FODMAP diet to see whether your digestive issues improve. If they do, it could be a good incentive for you to find a SIBO-skilled practitioner to test and treat you with herbal or pharmaceutical antibiotics. Individuals with SIBO make little recovery progress through diet alone.
Addressing Parasites
Parasites are often the most overlooked cause of digestive and hormonal problems, and they are far more common than you think. Approximately 30% of us are hosts to parasites. If you suffer from chronic digestive, skin, and mental issues that won't go away, consider getting tested for the presence of parasites.
Need help getting started? Schedule a free one-on-one health strategy session with me today!
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