THE BETTER BELLY PODCAST - Natural Constipation Remedies, Acid Reflux, Hormones, Gut Health, Functional Medicine

Have you been told you have low estrogen — and the solution was immediately birth control or hormone replacement — but no one could explain why your estrogen is low in the first place?

Or maybe you haven’t even tested yet, but you’re dealing with classic low estrogen symptoms like dry skin, low libido, thinning hair, weight gain, anxiety, or brain fog… and you’re wondering if low estrogen could be the missing piece.

Or maybe you have tried supplements, hormones, or lifestyle changes to raise estrogen — and nothing sticks. You feel better for a minute… then crash again. And you’re left asking: Why won’t my hormones actually rebalance?

If you said “yes” to any of those, this episode is for you.

Today we’re continuing the Real Root Cause Series, where I take conditions that are commonly treated like the root cause — and show you what’s actually driving them underneath. This matters because confusing a symptom for a root cause is the fastest way to stay stuck… even when you’re “doing all the right things.”

Today’s topic is low estrogen.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:
Why low estrogen really happens
Common low estrogen signs and side effects
Why artificially boosting estrogen sets you up for potentially worse problems long-term
The five real root causes that lead to low estrogen
And the exact tests to find which root causes you are uniquely dealing with


And one more thing — for this entire Real Root Cause Series, I’ve created visuals.

If you’re a visual learner, or you want to see the full big-picture flow of what’s draining your hormones, head to betterbellytherapies.com/root to download the graphics that go with this episode.

Because when you stop trying to raise estrogen by force and start restoring the vitality your body needs to make hormones again — that’s when you get full-body transformation.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Low Estrogen Symptoms & Why “Just Boost It” Isn’t the Answer
00:49 - Real Root Cause Series: What This Episode Will Cover (+ Visual Guides)
02:02 - Podcast Intro & Series Context: Low Estrogen Isn’t the Root Cause
05:07 - Low Estrogen Signs Explained (Dry Skin, Low Libido, Brain Fog, Hot Flashes)
08:57 - Why Birth Control/HRT Can Mask the Problem (Vitality vs. Detox)
10:43 - Root Cause #1: Food Intake & Hidden Food Sensitivities (Food Zoomer)
13:38 - Root Cause #2: Digestion Breakdown (Stomach Acid, Bile, Pancreatic Enzymes)
16:02 - Root Cause #3: Depletion from Stress, Over-Exercise, Fasting, Pregnancy & Sleep Loss
19:42 - Root Cause #4–#5: Toxins/Heavy Metals + Pathogens That Steal Nutrients
22:36 - How to Find Your Mix: Best Tests + Protocol Order (Vitality → Kill → Rebuild)
25:01 - Wrap-Up: Better Belly Blueprint, Next Episode on Low Progesterone

EPISODES MENTIONED:
267// The Best Food Sensitivity Test for You, with Vibrant Wellness

Have you been told you have histamine intolerance… so now you’re cutting out everything—leftovers, fermented foods, bone broth, even avocado—because you read they’re histamine high foods… and you’re still reacting?

Or maybe you don’t have an “official” diagnosis… but you’ve got classic histamine intolerance symptoms like anxiety, reflux, bloating, eczema, dizziness, insomnia, or weird food reactions… and you’re wondering if histamine is the problem?

Or you’ve tried all the things to treat high histamine - low histamine diet, histamine intolerance supplements like DAO, even a full-on histamine intolerance treatment plan from another practitione - but you still have histamine symptoms, so you’re asking: why won’t my histamine calm down?

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then this episode is for you.

Today we’re continuing the Real Root Cause Series—where I take conditions that get treated like the root cause… and I show you what’s actually driving them. Because knowing a fake root cause vs. a real root cause is the difference between managing symptoms forever… or finally getting your life back.

Today’s topic is: histamine.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:
What histamine intolerance really is
The most common histamine intolerance symptoms you’re probably not connecting to histamine
Why a low histamine diet can become a cyclical trap that never heals you
The 6 real root causes that keep histamine high (even when you “eat perfectly”)
And how to choose the right testing and support to find and reverse those root causes


And one more thing—because I’m doing something fun for this whole series: visuals.

If you’re a visual learner and want the flow chart that goes with this episode, go to betterbellytherapies.com/root and download the graphics.

Because when you stop trying to avoid high histamine food like they’re your enemy… and start fixing what’s making your body unable to handle histamine - that’s when you get your life back.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction to Histamine Intolerance
00:55 - Real Root Cause Series Overview
01:16 - Understanding Histamine Intolerance
05:40 - Common Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance
08:43 - Challenges with Low Histamine Diets
09:51 - Six Root Causes of High Histamine
23:22 - Testing and Diagnosis
25:32 - Better Belly Blueprint Program
27:36 - Conclusion and Next Steps


EPISODES MENTIONED:
232// Is Sodium Deficiency Causing Your Bloating and Constipation?
267// The Best Food Sensitivity Test for You, with Vibrant Wellness

Have you been diagnosed with estrogen dominance recently - and your doctor recommended taking birth control to control it, but you're wondering WHY your estrogen is high to begin with?
Or, do you have no testing confirming that you have high estrogen, but you're suspicious you may have it based on your symptoms? And, you're wondering how you can naturally balance your hormones again?
Or, have you tried to take supplements or do things to balance your hormones, but nothing has worked, and you're wondering WHY your hormones just won't get balanced?

If you said "yes" to any of these questions - this episode is for you.

Today we’re continuing the Real Root Cause Series, where I'm taking conditions that are commonly labeled as root causes — and breaking down to you what their REAL root causes are. This is super powerful because understanding a fake vs. real root cause is the difference between healing from your symptoms permanently... or not.

Today’s topic is: estrogen dominance.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:
What estrogen dominance is
Symptoms of high estrogen
Why estrogen dominance isn't a real root cause
The 5 causes of high estrogen
What tests you need to see exactly which root causes you're dealing with
Why estrogen dominance supplements aren't enough - and what do to instead to lower your estrogen levels

And one more thing — I’m doing something fun for this entire Real Root Cause Series: visuals.

If you’re a visual learner, or you want the big picture laid out clearly, go to betterbellytherapies.com/root to download the graphics that go with this episode.

Because when you stop fighting high estrogen like it’s your primary enemy... and start addressing what’s actually driving it up — that’s when you get balanced hormones.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction to Estrogen Dominance
00:37 - Real Root Cause Series Overview
05:08 - Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance
09:59 - Conventional vs. Natural Approaches
12:55 - Liver Congestion and Estrogen Detox
18:07 - Histamine and Estrogen Connection
21:29 - Understanding Your Microbiome and Histamine
22:25 - The Role of Mold and Pathogens
27:03 - Copper Toxicity and Its Effects
31:08 - The Estrobolome and Estrogen Balance
33:19 - Xenoestrogens: External Estrogen Sources
36:41 - Testing and Protocols for High Estrogen
41:24 - Introducing the Better Belly Blueprint
42:09 - Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

EPISODES MENTIONED:
98// 3 Things Adrenal Fatigue Is Telling You About Your Body
283// Stop Wasting Money on the DUTCH Test (Here’s Why)

Have you been diagnosed with candida overgrowth — but you're frustrated that your treatments haven't work?
Have you not been diagnosed, but all your symptoms — bloating, brain fog, sugar cravings, skin flares, even recurring yeast infections or UTIs — keep pointing you back to candida?
Or have you treated candida before… felt better during the protocol… and then watched everything slowly creep back in and thought, “Why is this happening again?”

If you said "yes" to any of these questions - this episode is for you.

Today we’re continuing the Real Root Cause Series, where I'm taking conditions that are commonly labeled as root causes — and breaking down to you what their REAL root causes are. This is super powerful because understanding a fake vs. real root cause is the difference between healing from your symptoms permanently... or not.

Today’s topic is: candida.

My hope is that this episode blows your mind and helps you to completely rewire how you think about candida. If you get today's episode, you will understand everything you need to to

In this episode, I’m breaking down:
Why treating candida directly - with diet changes, cleanses, or supplements - so often doesn't work (and ends up with you doing it again and again)
The real root causes that drive candida to overgrow in the first place
Why different people have totally different sets of candida causes underneath the surface
What testing can actually help you map the problem correctly
And what you need to do so candida doesn’t just disappear for a month… and then take over again


And one more thing — I’m doing something new for this entire Real Root Cause Series: visuals.

If you’re a visual learner, or you want the big picture laid out clearly, go to betterbellytherapies.com/root to download the graphics that go with this episode.

Because when you stop fighting candida like it’s your primary enemy... and start addressing what’s actually feeding it — that’s when it stops coming back.


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction: Struggling with Candida?
00:33 - Understanding Real Root Causes
01:07 - Why Treating Candida Directly Fails
01:40 - Visual Learning Resources
02:00 - Welcome to the Better Belly Podcast
03:06 - The Real Root Causes Series
04:41 - Candida: Not the Root Cause
12:48 - Low Stomach Acid and Its Impact
15:54 - Slow Motility Explained
20:07 - Mold and Candida Connection
25:16 - Other Pathogens and Candida
28:32 - Food Sensitivities and Candida
31:29 - Poor Detox and Liver Health
34:21 - Testing and Protocols
37:22 - Conclusion and Next Steps

EPISODES MENTIONED:
105// Clear Your UTI’s and Interstitial Cystitis [Detox Pathway #2]
148// The Oxalate Episode

Have you been told that your thyroid — or hypothyroidism — is the reason you’re dealing with fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, bloating, or digestive issues that seem to keep piling up?
Have you started thyroid medication or supplements, only to feel maybe a little better… but still not like yourself?
Or maybe your doctor is telling you that your labs are “normal,” but you're still suspicious thyroid might have something to do with it — and you want to know how you can support your thyroid safely to boost your energy, digestion, and metabolism?

If any of that sounds familiar, then this episode is for you.

Today we’re continuing the Real Root Cause Series, where I'm taking conditions that are commonly labeled as root causes — and breaking down to you what their REAL root causes are. This is super powerful because understanding a fake vs. real root cause is the difference between healing from your symptoms... or not.

Today's topic is: thyroid health — specifically hypothyroidism.

This episode might ruffle some feathers, because I’m going to make the case that hypothyroidism itself is not a true root cause. That doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t real. And it definitely doesn’t mean your labs don’t matter. But it doesmean that something else is driving why your thyroid hormones aren’t working the way they should.

In this episode, I’m walking you through:
Why thyroid medication alone often doesn’t fully resolve symptoms
How you can have “normal” labs and still have hypothyroid symptoms
How thyroid hormones are actually made, converted, and used in the body
What this has to do with finding (and testing for) the real root causes to thyroid imbalance
What gut health has to do with thyroid health
And what needs to be addressed underneath your thyroid for your symptoms to truly improve


If you're ready to understand your thyroid better than you ever have, plus have the tools you need to support your thyroid (and whole body health) beyond medication - then this episode is for you.


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction to Thyroid Issues
00:57 - Understanding Hypothyroidism
01:24 - The Real Root Causes of Thyroid Problems
02:05 - Welcome to the Better Belly Podcast
03:27 - Debunking Hypothyroidism as a Root Cause
08:54 - How Thyroid Hormones Work
11:37 - The Role of Liver and Gut in Thyroid Health
13:15 - Reverse T3 and Adrenal Glands
16:10 - Biochemical Stress and Thyroid Health
19:30 - Thyroid Binding Globulin and Estrogen
24:04 - Testing and Protocols for Thyroid Health
26:29 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts


EPISODES MENTIONED:
233// H. Pylori: Symptoms of H. Pylori, How to Interpret H. Pylori Test Results, and Why H. Pylori Treatments Fail
285// 2 Steps to...