Looking For Gut Health In All The Wrong Places?

11 Oct 2023

When you’re dealing with ongoing digestive issues, it’s tempting to try every solution you come across. After all, who doesn’t want quick relief from discomfort? But what if I told you that some of your well-intentioned efforts could be taking you further away from true healing? What if I told you that you were looking for gut health in all the wrong places? In this blog I will discuss the common mistakes made when trying to achieve gut health and list of things you can do that will actually help!

Common Mistakes We Often Make:

Cleanses

Especially popular as quick ‘fresh starts,’ cleanses may seem like the ideal reboot for your digestive system. However, their promises of detoxification often yield only fleeting relief and can actually disrupt your gut microbiome in the long run.

Over-Testing

Testing is invaluable, there’s no question about it. It becomes problematic when you find yourself in an endless loop of seeking diagnostic validation, particularly when facing elusive answers. This can create a cycle of anxiety and treatment that doesn’t address the root causes. 

Over-Supplementing

It’s easy to think more is better, but overdoing it can actually disrupt your gut balance.

Restrictive Diets or Extended Fasting

These may offer momentary symptom relief but can cause long-term damage to your metabolism and digestive function, while reinforcing food fears.

Throwing the Kitchen Sink At It

Adding too many different variables at once can confuse your system and make it difficult to identify what’s actually working for you.

A Better Way Forward

Simplify

Introduce one new factor at a time—be it a supplement or a dietary change. This allows you to track your body’s specific responses, making your plan more effective. 

Harness Your Nervous System

Don’t underestimate how powerful regulating your nervous system can be for optimizing your gut health. Stress management techniques such as mindfulness, deep-breathing exercises and vagus nerve stimulation can greatly impact your gut health. Dr. Andrew Hubbard, ND teaches these principles in his Gut Brain Masterclass

Journaling or Tracking

Keeping a detailed record of your diet, symptoms, and emotional states can offer invaluable insights into what triggers your symptoms. It can also serve as a useful tool for your healthcare provider to better tailor your treatment plan.

The Bigger Picture

Remember, most chronic gastrointestinal disorders, like IBS, require a long-term commitment to manage effectively. Don’t lose sight of the 6-9 months it often takes to see substantial improvement.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to stop chasing symptoms and start healing, then it’s time to talk to a Naturopathic Doctor. A consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor is the first step toward a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

As James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits,” beautifully puts it:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”

Small, incremental changes can add up to create a robust system that supports your digestive health journey. Let’s build that system together.

You can book an appointment with our gut-focused Naturopathic Doctor at Natural Choice Medical Clinic in Guelph.

Dr. Andrew Hubbard, ND