The Nutrient Dense Podcast

What if your IBS symptoms are actually an early warning sign for deeper health issues?
 
In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, Hannah sits down with integrative pharmacist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Izabella Wentz to discuss the root causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and how digestive dysfunction is often connected to autoimmunity, thyroid disease, infections, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental triggers.
 
Dr. Wentz shares how IBS is frequently treated as a "wastebasket diagnosis" in conventional medicine—leaving millions of people stuck with chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and food sensitivities without ever uncovering the real cause. Together, they break down the many potential drivers behind IBS, including gut infections like H. pylori and parasites, mold exposure, thyroid dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies like thiamine, food additives, stress, and microbiome imbalances.
 
They also explore the powerful connection between gut health and autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's, and why addressing intestinal permeability (leaky gut) can be a critical step toward long-term healing. If you've been told you "just have IBS" and feel like something deeper is going on, this episode will help you better understand what may actually be happening inside the body.





















 










 
 
 
 
 



WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
IBS is often an umbrella diagnosis, meaning multiple root causes can produce the same symptoms.
Common IBS drivers include SIBO, parasites, digestive enzyme deficiencies, bile acid issues, nutrient deficiencies, and food reactions.
Intestinal permeability (leaky gut) is present in nearly all autoimmune conditions and can be an early warning sign.
Many people experience IBS symptoms years before developing autoimmune disease.
Gut infections such as H. pylori and Blastocystis hominis may contribute to thyroid antibodies and Hashimoto's.
Mold exposure can disrupt immune function and increase susceptibility to multiple gut infections.
Stress and nervous system dysregulation can influence digestion but are rarely the only root cause.
Food additives, artificial sweeteners, and ultra-processed foods significantly impact gut health.
Nutrient deficiencies — especially thiamine, zinc, selenium, and carnitine — can contribute to digestive dysfunction.















 






















LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 20 - How to Overcome IBS - A Functional Approach
Listen to Episode 7 - Common Gut Imbalances: SIBO, Candida Overgrowth, Dysbiosis, IBS & More





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 








CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 












 
 
 
 
  




CONNECT WITH DR. IZABELLA:
Instagram  |  Website  | Podcast | Upcoming book: IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome







 
 
 
 
 
 
 




If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

Mold exposure is one of the most overlooked root causes of chronic gut issues — and one that's frequently missed even in functional health spaces.
 
In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, Hannah breaks down how mold and mycotoxin exposure can disrupt digestion, damage the gut lining, alter the gut microbiome, and trigger symptoms like bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, histamine intolerance, anxiety, brain fog, and chronic fatigue.
 
If you've done multiple gut protocols, worked with practitioners, run testing, and still feel stuck with digestive issues that won't resolve, mold exposure may be a missing piece.
 
Hannah shares signs that mold could be contributing to your symptoms, explains how mycotoxins impact the gut on a physiological level, and discusses why some people become much more sensitive to supplements and protocols when mold is involved.





























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Mold exposure can be a hidden root cause of chronic gut issues that don't respond to standard protocols
Mycotoxins can damage the gut lining, increasing intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
Mold can disrupt the gut microbiome, contributing to SIBO, candida, and dysbiosis
Mold exposure may impair bile flow, which affects digestion, detoxification, and hormone balance
Histamine intolerance and mast cell activation can worsen when mold is present
Symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and skin issues may be connected to mold exposure





























 













LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 6 - Q&A with Team HAN: SIBO, mold toxicity, histamine overload & more
Listen to Episode 50 - Building a Healthy Home with Ashley Spanovich: Reducing Mold, EMFs & Chemical Exposure
Listen to Episode 58 - Debunking Mold Inspection, Remediation & Creating a Healthy Home with Andrew Melrose





 
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN A 1:1 GUT HEALTH INTENSIVE ($597 VALUE):
🎧 Listen to an episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast​
✅ Subscribe + Follow the show on Apple Podcasts​
🌟 Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts​
✨ Once you've completed these 3 steps, you'll be entered to win! The deadline to enter is March 13th.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 














CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 
 


 









 








 
 
 
 
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

In this Q&A-style episode, Hannah answers listener questions about some of the most common — and misunderstood — root causes behind chronic gut and health issues. She breaks down why symptoms like low stomach acid, iron deficiency, Hashimoto's, endometriosis, and mold exposure are rarely standalone problems — and how they often trace back to deeper dysfunction in the gut, immune system, and nutrient absorption.
 
You'll learn how gut health influences everything from thyroid function to iron levels, and what to focus on instead if you want real, lasting healing.




























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Low stomach acid has varying root causes - identifying yours is key.
Chronic stress, infections, nutrient deficiencies, and gut dysbiosis commonly drive digestive dysfunction.
Hashimoto's is primarily an immune condition — and the gut plays a central role in antibody activation.
Iron deficiency is often an absorption and recycling issue, not a true deficiency.
Certain pathogens and infections can prevent iron levels from improving despite supplementation.
Endometriosis involves immune, inflammatory, gut, and microbiome factors — not just hormones.
Polyphenols, omega-3s, and gut microbiome support are key nutrition strategies for reducing inflammation.
Mold exposure testing should always be done with practitioner guidance due to complexity.
































 













LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues
Listen to Episode 28 - How Your Gut Is Messing With Your Hormones: The Estrogen & Thyroid Connection
















 
 
 
 
 
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN A 1:1 GUT HEALTH INTENSIVE ($597 VALUE):
🎧 Listen to an episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast​
✅ Subscribe + Follow the show on Apple Podcasts​
🌟 Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts​
✨ Once you've completed these 3 steps, you'll be entered to win! The deadline to enter is March 13th.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 








CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 


 









 








 
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

Your morning ritual is one of the most powerful tools for regulating your nervous system, supporting digestion, and shaping how you experience your entire day.
 
In this episode, I walk you through my simple, clinically grounded framework for creating a gut healthy morning ritual that actually works for real life — not the unrealistic 30-step routines you see on social media.




























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Your mornings shape your nervous system baseline for the entire day
Consistency matters far more than complexity
The connection between nervous system regulation and bowel movements
The science behind the gastrocolic reflex and morning hydration
Small daily habits compound into long-term health transformation
How circadian rhythm influences gut motility and hormone balance
Simple ways to regulate your nervous system first thing in the morning
How to create a routine that's sustainable — not overwhelming
































 













LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 21 - Is Sunlight An Overlooked Piece of Gut Healing? A Dive Into Circadian Rhythm for Healing
Listen to Episode 27 - Make Your Life Your Medicine - A TCM Approach to Gut Health with Dr. Alex Heyne
Listen to Episode 59 - How to Support Your Nervous System in Times of Chaos















 
 
 
 
 




CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 
 


 









 








 
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, frozen, or mentally exhausted lately? You're not alone — and your nervous system might be the missing piece.
 
In this episode, I dive deep into how chronic stress, constant stimulation, and modern life keep us stuck in fight-or-flight (or freeze), and how that dysregulation shows up in your thoughts, emotions, digestion, energy, and overall health.
 
You'll learn how to recognize the signs of nervous system overwhelm, why willpower isn't the solution, and how to start regulating your body using simple, practical tools you can implement immediately.
 
Hannah shares powerful strategies like reducing daily inputs, auditing your energy drains, creating mental space, and using somatic tools to calm your system — along with key nutrients, herbs, and lifestyle practices that support resilience during stressful times.
 
If you feel like you're struggling to support your nervous system right now, this is the episode for you.




























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Your nervous system state influences your thoughts, emotions, digestion, and energy
Chronic stimulation from phones, news, and social media keeps many people in survival mode
Overwhelm often leads to a freeze response that makes simple tasks feel impossible
Healing requires helping your body feel safe — not forcing productivity
Reducing daily inputs can dramatically improve clarity and emotional regulation
Movement and breathwork are powerful tools to shift out of stress quickly
Creating mental space allows intuition and creativity to return
Chronic stress increases your body's need for key nutrients
Blood sugar balance plays a major role in stress resilience
Nervine herbs can nourish and regulate the nervous system naturally
Sleep and human connection are two of the most powerful regulators



















 















 













LINKS:
Book a Strategy Call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire
Listen to Episode 11 - Top 5 Tips for Balancing Your Blood Sugar
Listen to Episode 40 - What Came First - My Anxiety, or my Gut Issues?
Visit my dispensary & get access to my favorite supplements for 15-20% off HERE















 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 
 


 









 








 
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨