Is Your Gut Trying to Tell You Something?
Written by Heather Sunderland, Health Coach
Heather Sunderland is a board-certified functional health coach with a personal journey of recovering from 28 years of illness due to undiagnosed Lyme disease and mold toxicity. She founded Health Coaching by Heather, LLC and co-founded Navigating Mold & CIRS: Expert Insights for Practitioners Course.
I didn’t always realize how important gut health was or how many of my symptoms could be traced back to a gut that wasn’t functioning well. For years, I brushed off things like bloating, brain fog, and constipation as “normal.” It wasn’t until I began digging into the root causes of my chronic health issues that I discovered my gut was at the center of it all.
Gut health plays a critical role in your overall well-being, influencing everything from digestion and immunity to hormones and mood. Research continues to highlight the powerful connection between the gut microbiome and nearly every system in the body. Click here.
If you're not feeling your best, your gut may be trying to get your attention. Here are some signs I wish I’d recognized sooner:
Signs your gut may be struggling
1. Digestive upset
Gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are often accepted as normal, but they’re not. I used to live with daily bloating and constipation, and thought it was just how my body worked. Now I understand these are signs of inflammation, imbalanced gut bacteria, or poor digestion.
2. Food sensitivities
Do you feel like you're reacting to everything, even healthy foods? When the gut lining becomes compromised (commonly called “leaky gut”), undigested food particles can enter the bloodstream and trigger immune responses, leading to new sensitivities.
3. Fatigue and brain fog
There were days I couldn’t think clearly or make it through the afternoon without crashing. A compromised gut affects nutrient absorption, hormone production, and neurotransmitters, all of which impact your energy and clarity.
4. Skin issues
Could your breakouts or rashes be coming from inside your gut? Conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea are often linked to gut dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) and inflammation.
5. Mood struggles
Ever feel anxious or low for no clear reason? About 70% of serotonin, your “feel-good” neurotransmitter, is produced in the gut. If your gut is off, your mood often is too.
6. Weakened immunity
Do you get sick often or have trouble recovering? A healthy immune system relies on a healthy gut. When the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it can lead to chronic infections, sluggish detox, and poor immune function.
7. Autoimmune symptoms
A dysfunctional gut can confuse the immune system, contributing to or worsening autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s and colitis), and metabolic syndrome, to name a few.
What helped me heal
Addressing my gut wasn’t a quick fix. It took removing inflammatory foods, supporting digestion, reducing toxic exposures, and focusing on whole-body healing. Restoring proper digestion and the microbiome was foundational. Once I prioritized my gut, everything began to shift.
What can damage the gut?
The gut is resilient, but it’s also vulnerable to many modern-day exposures. These common stressors can lead to leaky gut, inflammation, and microbiome imbalances:
1. Inflammatory foods
Gluten, dairy, sugar, seed oils, processed foods, and artificial additives all irritate the gut lining and feed harmful microbes.
Tips:
Focus on whole, freshly prepared meals. Focus on variety and diversity.
Include gut-supportive foods like bone broth, steamed veggies, and fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi), if tolerated.
2. Mold and mycotoxins
Exposure to mold (from water-damaged buildings or contaminated food) releases toxic compounds that can damage the gut lining and immune system.
Tip: Avoid moldy environments and support detox if exposed.
3. Parasites, candida, and pathogenic bacteria
Parasites can create inflammation and nutrient loss. Candida overgrowth and infections like H. pylori or SIBO can disrupt the microbiome.
Tip: Work with a practitioner if you’re experiencing chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, skin issues, or persistent sensitivities.
4. Medications
Antibiotics, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), and PPIs (acid blockers) can all damage the gut. One course of antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome for weeks to months. Research shows that one course of antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome, and full recovery can take weeks to months.
Tip: After medications, focus on probiotics, fermented foods, and gut-healing nutrients.
5. Environmental toxins
Heavy metals, pesticides, plastics (like BPA), and household chemicals can disrupt gut bacteria and immune balance.
Tip: Choose organic foods, avoid plastic containers, and use clean personal care and home products.
6. Chronic stress
Stress lowers digestive enzyme output, increases gut permeability, and disrupts the gut-brain axis.
Tip: Practice daily calming routines like breathwork, prayer, journaling, or nature walks.
7. Poor sleep
Your gut repairs while you sleep. Lack of sleep promotes inflammation and weakens the microbiome.
Tip: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.
8. Over-sterilization and lack of microbial exposure
Antibacterial products and too much time indoors can limit exposure to helpful microbes.
Tips:
Spend time in nature, garden, or play in the dirt.
Use regular soap instead of hand sanitizers or antimicrobial soaps.
9. Nutrient deficiencies
Low levels of zinc, vitamin A, magnesium, and omega-3s impair gut repair and immune regulation.
Tip: Focus on nutrient-dense foods and work with a practitioner to identify deficiencies.
Final thoughts
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, it might be time to take a closer look at your gut. You don’t have to live with chronic symptoms, and you’re not alone.
Real healing happens when we stop chasing symptoms and start addressing the root causes. Your body is designed to heal when given the right support. Start by making small, manageable changes. They really do add up.
If you're ready to restore your gut and your health, I’d love to support you on your journey.
Read more from Heather Sunderland
Heather Sunderland, Health Coach
Heather is a board-certified Functional Health Coach who restored her health from 22 years of undiagnosed Lyme, Mold Toxicity & CIRS using the Regenerative Approach.
Her passion lies in providing hope while addressing root issues, using food as medicine, alkalizing tissues, restoring the gut, addressing pathogens, and supporting detox so the body can return to vibrant health.
She founded Health Coaching by Heather, LLC and co-founded Navigating Mold & CIRS: Expert Insights for Practitioners Course.
