Explore every episode of the podcast The Nutrient Dense Podcast

In this episode, I'm breaking down what a realistic gut repair timeline can look like, why some clients notice changes within weeks while others need several months, and what influences that process. I explain why we work in phases, what our priming phase involves, and why ongoing support and adjustments are such important parts of our approach.

We'll explore how your health history, accumulated stress, nutrient depletion, and coexisting conditions can add complexity—and how to recognize when you need more time versus a different strategy.

The goal is to help you set realistic expectations, recognize meaningful changes, and bring more compassion into the process of feeling better.

• Why there's no universal timeline for improving chronic digestive issues.
• The four-to-six-month timeframe I commonly discuss with clients, and why individual experiences vary.
• Why we use phased protocols and ongoing support rather than standalone test reviews.
• What happens during our priming phase before more targeted gut work.
• How health history, chronic stress, nutrient depletion, and coexisting conditions can influence your timeline.
• Signs of progress beyond being completely symptom-free.
• Why constantly changing protocols or following conflicting recommendations can make progress harder to assess.

• 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
• Create a Fullscript account and get access to 15% off our recommended practitioner-grade supplements here.
• Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program!
• Listen to Episode 66 - The Most Overlooked Causes of Chronic Digestive Issues
• Listen to Episode 84 - Why Most SIBO Protocols Fail
• Listen to Episode 70 - Eating Healthier and Feeling MORE Bloated? Here's Why

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You're eating well, taking care of yourself, and doing the things that used to make you feel good - but suddenly your sleep, digestion, mood, and weight are changing. What gives?

In this episode, I'm joined by certified hormone specialist and Midlife Solutions founder Karen Martel to unpack the changes women can experience during perimenopause and menopause. We discuss progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, how hormone shifts can overlap with gut and thyroid symptoms, and why your symptoms deserve attention even when your labs fall within the reference range.

Karen shares her personal experience navigating midlife hormone changes, her approach to testing, and her perspective on bioidentical hormone therapy. We also explore practical foundations, from eating enough and building muscle to supporting digestion, reducing stress, and finding community, that can help you feel more supported through this chapter.

• Early signs of perimenopause beyond hot flashes, including changing periods, disrupted sleep, anxiety, and worsening PMS.
• Why progesterone often changes earlier in the menopausal transition.
• How hormone shifts can overlap with digestive symptoms, thyroid concerns, and changes in metabolic health.
• Why symptoms and personal history matter alongside lab results.
• Karen's approach to blood work, hormone testing, and looking at the bigger picture.
• The difference between supporting hormone production in younger years and navigating declining ovarian function.
• Karen's perspective on bioidentical hormone therapy and discussing your options with a qualified clinician.
• Why adequate nourishment, strength training, recovery, and community deserve a place in your midlife care plan.
• Advocating for yourself when you know something has changed.

• 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
• Create a Fullscript account and get access to 15% off our recommended practitioner-grade supplements here.
• Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program!
• Listen to Episode 75: The Epidemic of Low Progesterone Problem: Root Causes, Hidden Signs & How to Naturally Restore Balance
• Listen to Episode 28: How Your Gut Is Messing With Your Hormones: The Estrogen & Thyroid Connection
• Listen to Episode 70: Are You Addicted to Stress Hormones?

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Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—and they're one of the most important pieces of gut health that I don't think we talk about enough. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three primary short-chain fatty acids—butyrate, acetate, and propionate—and explaining how they influence your gut barrier, immune system, inflammation, metabolic health, and even the pH of your colon. 

We'll also talk about why butyrate is so important for the cells lining your colon, how SCFAs can help create an environment that supports a healthier microbial balance, and what can happen when we're missing important SCFA-producing bacteria.

Most importantly, I'm showing you how to actually support SCFA production through food.

• Gut bacteria ferment certain fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids: butyrate, acetate, and propionate.
• Butyrate provides fuel for cells lining the colon and supports a healthy gut barrier.
• SCFAs help regulate immune activity and inflammatory signaling.
• SCFA production can lower colon pH, helping shape which microbes thrive in the gut.
• Fermentable fibers + resistant starches provide the raw materials gut microbes use to make SCFAs.

• 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
• Create a Fullscript account and get access to 15% off our recommended practitioner-grade supplements here.
• Listen to Episode 3 - Leaky Gut 101: The What, the Why, and How to Fix It
• Listen to Episode 84 - Why Most SIBO Protocols Fail
• Listen to Episode 89 - Eating Healthier and Feeling MORE Bloated? Here's Why

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Rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have risen dramatically over the last several decades, but why? In today's episode, I'm joined by holistic nutritionist and physician consultant Josh Dech for a conversation about inflammatory bowel disease, the gut microbiome, environmental exposures, and the many factors that may influence why someone develops chronic digestive disease. Josh specializes in Crohn's, colitis, and severe IBS and shares both his personal health journey and the framework he uses when working with complex IBD cases.

If you have Crohn's, colitis, IBS, or simply want to better understand the environmental factors shaping our gut health, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

• Why Josh believes the dramatic rise in IBD points toward environmental and lifestyle influences, not genetics alone.
• How antibiotics, ultra-processed foods, birth and feeding history, environmental exposures, and other factors may shape the gut microbiome over time.
• The concept of "terrain" and why simply adding more probiotics, prebiotics, or fiber may not fix a dysregulated gut.
• Why mold exposure receives significant attention in Josh's clinical framework and how he believes mycotoxins can affect the microbiome, immune system, gut lining, mitochondria, and detoxification pathways.
• How early-life factors may influence microbiome development
• The bidirectional relationship between the gut and brain and why stress and nervous system regulation matter without necessarily being the entire solution.
• Why Josh believes people with IBD may have more influence over their health trajectory than they have been led to believe.

• 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
• Create a Fullscript account and get access to 15% off our recommended practitioner-grade supplements here.
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine
• Listen to Episode 87 - What Came First—Your Anxiety or Your Gut Issues? Understanding the Gut–Brain Connection
• Listen to Episode 63 - Is IBS an Early Warning Sign for Autoimmunity with Dr. Izabella Wentz

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Have you ever cleaned up your diet only to find yourself more bloated, gassy, constipated, nauseous, or uncomfortable than you were before? You've added in more veggies and gut health foods and instead of feeling amazing, your digestion seems to be getting worse.

In this episode, I'm breaking down three of the biggest reasons I see this happen with our clients. We'll talk about why increasing fiber can sometimes make SIBO, constipation, and slow gut motility feel worse; why nutritious foods like avocado, fermented foods, spinach, and leftovers can trigger symptoms when you're dealing with histamine issues; and why increasing healthy fats can reveal underlying problems with bile flow, pancreatic enzymes, or digestive function.

Most importantly, I want you to understand that the answer isn't to become afraid of healthy foods or restrict them forever. Your reactions can actually give us clues about where your digestive system is struggling—and once we identify and address those deeper issues, the goal is to help you tolerate more foods with fewer reactions.

• A temporary increase in gas can happen when you rapidly increase fiber—but severe or persistent symptoms warrant a deeper look.
• Fiber intolerance can point toward bacterial overgrowth and impaired gut motility.
• Adding more fiber isn't always the answer for constipation and can sometimes worsen symptoms when motility is impaired.
• Reactions to fermented foods, avocado, leftovers, and other histamine-rich foods may signal histamine overload or impaired clearance.
• Feeling worse after increasing healthy fats can point toward issues with bile flow, enzymes, or fat digestion.
• The goal isn't long-term food restriction—it's understanding why your body is reacting in the first place.
• Your food reactions can provide valuable clues about what may be happening underneath the surface.

• 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
• Create a Fullscript account and get access to 15% off our recommended practitioner-grade supplements here.
• Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program!
• Listen to Episode 72 - The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) — Your Gut's Natural Cleaning Cycle
• Listen to Episode 83 - Histamine Isn't the Problem — Here's What Actually Is
• Listen to Episode 12 - Is Histamine Overload Causing Your Unexplained Symptoms?
• Listen to Episode 59 - How to Support Your Nervous System in Times of Chaos
• Listen to Episode 80 - Bile Flow 101: The Overlooked Key to Better Digestion, Bowel Movements & Histamine

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In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I'm sharing a section of my Good Gut Formula Masterclass where I break down the deeper root causes of food sensitivities, leaky gut, and IBS. I dive into what increased intestinal permeability actually means, how the gut barrier interacts with your immune system, and why food reactions are a clue to something deeper.

We'll also explore factors that may contribute to persistent digestive symptoms, including microbial imbalances, digestive function, and chronic stress, and why feeling better often requires a more comprehensive approach than another supplement or elimination diet.

If your labs look "normal," but you're still bloated, uncomfortable, and unsure what to eat, this episode will help you understand what questions to ask next.

The replay has expired, but you can still listen to the masterclass on Hannah's secret podcast 🤫.

Enrollment is OPEN for Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts, my 16-week gut health program that utilizes functional testing, targeted nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and coaching support to help you get to the bottom of your chronic digestive issues. This is our final round of 2026, and doors close September 10th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Learn more about HGSB and join us here: https://go.hannahaylward.com/yes

• Food sensitivities and leaky gut explained
• Uncovering the roots of IBS
• Removing foods alone does not repair your gut

• Watch the Good Gut Formula Masterclass replay!
• Learn more about Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts HERE.
• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!

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Have you ever thought, what came first…my anxiety or my gut issues? The answer is probably a little bit of both.

In this re-aired episode of The Nutrient Dense Podcast, I'm diving deep into the gut-brain connection and the bidirectional relationship between your nervous system, digestive function, gut microbiome, and mental health.

 The gut and brain are intricately connected via the gut-brain axis. We'll talk about how stress impacts your gut function, and how your gut health can exacerbate anxiety. 

The discussion covers the role of neurotransmitters produced in the gut, the influence of histamine on anxiety, and the importance of addressing both gut and mental health conditions for holistic healing.

If you've been told your digestive symptoms are "just anxiety," this conversation will help you understand why the answer is often much more nuanced—and why supporting both your gut and nervous system can be such an important part of truly feeling better.

• The gut and brain are intricately connected via the gut-brain axis.
• Certain gut bacteria can increase stress hormone levels.
• 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut.
• Over time, stress can contribute to real physiological gut imbalances—not simply temporary digestive symptoms.
• Gut health is crucial for reducing anxiety levels.
• Your gut microbes play a role in neurotransmitters involved in mood, motivation, and relaxation.
• Long-term improvement often means supporting both the nervous system and the gut, rather than asking which one came first.

• Save your seat for my FREE 3 Phase Good Gut Formula Masterclass!
• 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 1 - How Trauma Impacts Gut and Hormone Health
• Listen to Episode 14 - Chronically Stressed & Exhausted? Navigating Burnout & "Adrenal Fatigue"
• Listen to Episode 30 - Is Your Gut Causing High Cortisol? The Gut x Cortisol Connection
• Listen to Episode 70 - Are You Addicted to Stress Hormones?

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What happens when you're eating a healthy diet, exercising, taking supplements, drinking plenty of water, and doing everything you've been told to do for your gut...but you're still chronically constipated, bloated, burping after meals, struggling with reflux, and dealing with acne?

In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of a real client case from my HGSB program. She had struggled with digestive issues since her early 20s, had seen multiple doctors, was relying on Linzess for constipation, and had previously taken Accutane for acne—but her digestive issues continued.

When we ran testing, we found there was much more happening beneath the surface. I'm walking you through exactly what we found, why we didn't immediately jump into a "kill protocol," how we strategically rebuilt her digestive function, and the order in which we addressed her imbalances.

After four months, she reported going from feeling like a 3/10 to a 9/10, with no more bloating after meals, burping, gas, acne, undigested food in her stool, or afternoon energy crashes—and she was having daily bowel movements!

If you feel like you're doing everything right but your results aren't matching your effort, this episode will show you why a personalized, root-cause strategy can make all the difference.

• Eating a healthy diet doesn't automatically resolve underlying digestive dysfunction.
• Chronic constipation, bloating, reflux, acne, and nutrient issues can share overlapping root causes.
• Supporting the body's foundations before eradication was an important part of her protocol.
• Gut motility, stomach acid, bile flow, enzyme production, and regular bowel movements all needed attention.
• The goal wasn't simply to kill bacteria, it was to address why the overgrowth developed in the first place.
• After four months, she reported major improvements in digestion, bowel regularity, energy, and skin.
• Personalized protocols can help replace years of guessing with a more targeted strategy.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join the waitlist for Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts, starting in September!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 41 - Before You Invest In Functional Testing, Make Sure You're Doing These Things
• Listen to Episode 17 - Decoding Your Gut: Functional Stool Testing Deep Dive
• Listen to Episode 33 - Main Root Causes of Chronic Gut & Digestive Issues

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I spent seven years struggling with chronic bloating, IBS symptoms, constipation, food sensitivities, and major food anxiety—even though I felt like I was doing everything right. I ate healthier than almost everyone I knew. I avoided gluten and dairy for nearly a decade. I exercised, bought organic food, used non-toxic products, followed elimination diets, and spent hundreds of dollars on probiotics, digestive enzymes, L-glutamine, and every gut-support supplement I could find. And I still looked six months pregnant with belly bloating after eating an apple.

What I eventually realized was that I didn't need to restrict more foods or find the perfect supplement. I needed a completely different strategy.

In this episode, I'm walking you through the six key steps I personally focused on to repair my gut. I'm breaking down why chronic digestive issues can be about so much more than the foods you're eating, why digestion needs to be addressed before obsessing over probiotics, how functional testing changed my approach, and why my nervous system ended up being one of the most important pieces of my gut-healing journey. If you feel like you're doing all the things but you're still bloated, constipated, reacting to foods, or afraid to eat outside of your normal routine, this episode is for you.

• Chronic digestive issues are often a gut environment problem, not simply a food problem.
• Focus on nourishment over restriction to support gut health and function.
• Functional testing can help uncover imbalances and create a more targeted approach.
• Healthy detox and drainage pathways support your body's ability to eliminate waste.
• Digestion comes before the microbiome—stomach acid, enzymes, and bile matter.
• Rebalancing the gut microbiome can improve food tolerance and digestive symptoms.
• Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation can directly impair digestive function.
• Lasting gut repair requires addressing the whole ecosystem, not chasing one root cause or supplement.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join the waitlist for Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts, starting in September!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 11 - Top 5 Tips for Balancing Your Blood Sugar
• Listen to Episode 17 - Decoding Your Gut: Functional Stool Testing Deep Dive
• Listen to Episode 72 - The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) — Your Gut's Natural Cleaning Cycle
• Listen to Episode 59 - How to Support Your Nervous System in Times of Chaos
• Listen to Episode 33 - Main Root Causes of Chronic Gut & Digestive Issues

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Feel like you've tried to get over SIBO multiple times with no luck? The antibiotics, herbals, the diets...but it keeps coming back. In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions about SIBO: it's not simply a bacterial overgrowth problem. 

We'll cover what SIBO actually is, why it develops in the first place, and why so many conventional protocols fail to create lasting results. I'll explain the critical role of gut motility, the migrating motor complex (MMC), stomach acid, bile flow, thyroid function, chronic stress, mold exposure, H. pylori, food poisoning, and even abdominal adhesions in creating an environment where bacterial overgrowth can thrive.

We'll also discuss why simply killing bacteria isn't enough, why rebuilding your gut microbiome matters just as much as reducing bacterial overgrowth, and how shifting your focus from "killing bugs" to restoring digestive function can completely change your healing journey.

• SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, where bacteria normally exist in much lower amounts than in the large intestine.
• SIBO is often a downstream consequence of impaired digestive function—not the primary root cause itself.
• Antibiotics and herbal antimicrobials may temporarily reduce bacterial overgrowth, but they don't address why the overgrowth developed in the first place.
• The low FODMAP diet can reduce symptoms but isn't designed to eradicate SIBO or prevent recurrence.
• Healthy gut motility is one of the most important factors in preventing recurring SIBO.
• Chronic stress, hypothyroidism, low stomach acid, poor bile flow, food poisoning, mold exposure, H. pylori, adhesions, and diabetes can all contribute to impaired gut motility and recurring SIBO.
• Low stomach acid and poor bile flow create an environment where bacterial overgrowth is more likely to occur.
• Rebuilding the gut microbiome after antimicrobial treatment is essential for maintaining long-term microbial balance.
• SIBO has a high relapse rate because many treatment approaches focus only on reducing bacteria rather than restoring digestive function.
• Long-term healing comes from creating a resilient digestive system—not simply eliminating bacteria.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join the waitlist for Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts, starting in September!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 72 - The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) — Your Gut's Natural Cleaning Cycle
• Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues
• Listen to Episode 80 - Bile Flow 101: The Overlooked Key to Better Digestion, Bowel Movements & Histamine
• Listen to Episode 79 - 5 Signs Your Gut Issues are Actually H. Pylori
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine

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If you've suddenly become sensitive to foods you used to tolerate—like avocado, spinach, leftovers, fermented foods, bone broth, or even a glass of wine—you may be dealing with histamine intolerance. But what if histamine isn't actually the problem?

In this episode, I'm breaking down why histamine intolerance is often a capacity problem, not simply a food problem. Histamine is a normal and necessary molecule in the body. The real question isn't "How do I avoid histamine forever?", it's why has my body lost its ability to process it?

I'll explain how your gut microbiome, gut barrier, hormones, liver, mold exposure, chronic stress, and nervous system all influence your ability to break down histamine. We'll also cover why a low histamine diet may provide temporary relief but isn't a long-term solution, how histamine overload differs from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and the functional approach I use to help clients tolerate foods again by addressing the root causes underneath the surface.

• Histamine overload is often a capacity problem, not simply a problem of eating high-histamine foods.
• Histamine intolerance and MCAS overlap but are not the same condition; MCAS involves broader mast cell dysregulation and additional inflammatory mediators.
• The "histamine bucket" concept explains why symptoms occur when histamine production exceeds your body's ability to break it down.
• DAO helps break down histamine in the gut, while HNMT helps metabolize histamine throughout the body, including in the liver and nervous system.
• Damage to the gut lining can reduce DAO activity, making histamine intolerance more likely.
• Gut dysbiosis, H. pylori, SIBO, intestinal inflammation, and histamine-producing bacteria can all increase the body's histamine burden.
• A low histamine diet can reduce symptoms temporarily, but it doesn't address why histamine is accumulating.
• Mold exposure and mycotoxins can activate mast cells and significantly contribute to histamine overload.
• Estrogen increases histamine release, while progesterone helps stabilize mast cells and supports histamine breakdown.
• Chronic stress and elevated cortisol can destabilize mast cells, increase histamine release, and contribute to hormone imbalances that worsen symptoms.
• Supporting gut health, liver function, hormones, nervous system regulation, and mineral status is essential for long-term improvement—not simply eliminating more foods.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join the waitlist for Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts, starting in September!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 12 - Is Histamine Overload Causing Your Unexplained Symptoms?
• Listen to Episode 35 - The Gut x Histamine Connection
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine

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If your iron or ferritin levels are chronically low, even though you're taking iron supplements, eating red meat, and doing everything you've been told to do, it's time to dig deeper.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why low iron isn't always an iron problem. Your body has to be able to digest, absorb, transport, recycle, store, and actually use the iron you're consuming. I'm walking you through the four major categories I look at when someone has chronically low iron: losing too much iron, not absorbing enough, inflammation restricting access to stored iron, and difficulty transporting or utilizing iron properly.

I'm also sharing why ferritin alone doesn't give us the whole picture and which labs can provide a much more comprehensive look at what's actually happening. If you've been supplementing with iron for months without your levels ever budging, this episode will help get you the answers you've been looking for.

• Most of the iron your body uses each day comes from internal recycling, not directly from dietary iron.
• Ferritin is an important marker of iron storage, but ferritin alone cannot tell you the full story of your iron status.
• There are four major areas to investigate when iron won't improve: loss, absorption, inflammation, and transport/utilization.
• Low stomach acid, H. pylori, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, restrictive diets, and certain medications can interfere with iron absorption.
• H. pylori is particularly important because it can alter the stomach environment, impair iron absorption, and contribute to inflammation.
• Chronic inflammation can increase hepcidin, which restricts the release and absorption of iron and can contribute to functional iron deficiency.
• Normal or elevated ferritin doesn't necessarily mean iron is readily available for your body to use, particularly when inflammation is present.
• Copper, vitamin A, B12, and folate are among the nutrients involved in healthy iron transport, red blood cell production, and iron metabolism.
• Gut dysfunction can create multiple problems simultaneously: poor absorption, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and potentially altered iron utilization.
• Iron and thyroid health have a bidirectional relationship: iron is important for normal thyroid function, while thyroid dysfunction can contribute to patterns that increase iron-deficiency risk.
• Instead of endlessly supplementing iron, the goal should be to determine where the breakdown in the chain is occurring.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 79 - 5 Signs Your Gut Issues are Actually H. Pylori
• 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
• Listen to Episode 38 - Diving into Hashimoto's & Hypothyroidism with Board-Certified ENT and Thyroid Specialist Dr. Dana Gibbs

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Have you ever felt like you're doing everything for your health... eating clean, taking the supplements, listening to all the podcasts, buying the gadgets—and yet you still don't feel better? If so, this episode is for you.

Today, I'm stripping away the noise and bringing you back to the foundations that actually move the needle when it comes to healing. After nearly a decade of helping women overcome chronic digestive issues, I've learned that while functional testing, supplements, and personalized protocols absolutely have their place, no one gets to skip the basics. Your body can't heal when it doesn't feel safe, nourished, or supported.

In this episode, I walk you through the eight foundational pillars I come back to with every client. These aren't flashy wellness trends—they're the daily habits that create the environment your body needs to repair itself. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice or like you're constantly searching for the "missing piece," I hope this episode reminds you that healing doesn't always require doing more. Sometimes, it requires doing less—but doing the right things consistently.

• Your body will always prioritize survival before healing or optimization.
• More information doesn't create better health—consistent implementation does.
• Blood sugar balance is one of the fastest ways to reduce stress on the body and support hormones, digestion, and energy.
• Hydration and mineral status are foundational for healthy digestion, energy production, and nervous system function.
• Daily movement supports blood sugar, lymphatic drainage, mitochondrial health, detoxification, and bowel regularity.
• Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for gut repair, hormone production, immune health, and blood sugar regulation.
• Morning sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, cortisol, metabolism, thyroid function, and sleep quality.
• A dysregulated nervous system can impair stomach acid, digestive enzymes, bile flow, gut motility, and nutrient absorption.
• Joy, play, and meaningful connection aren't luxuries—they're powerful regulators of your physiology.
• Healing isn't about finding one magical supplement. It's about consistently creating an environment where your body feels safe enough to heal.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join our Fullscript dispensary to gain access to practitioner-grade supplements at a discount, and check out our "HAN Favorites" List for the supplements mentioned in the episode!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 11 - Top 5 Tips for Balancing Your Blood Sugar
• Listen to Episode 21 - Is Sunlight An Overlooked Piece of Gut Healing? A Dive Into Circadian Rhythm for Healing
• Listen to Episode 59 - How to Support Your Nervous System in Times of Chaos
• Listen to Episode 41 - Before You Invest In Functional Testing, Make Sure You're Doing These Things

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If you're dealing with chronic bloating, constipation, recurring SIBO, food sensitivities, hormonal acne, or even histamine issues, there may be one overlooked piece of the puzzle: your bile flow.

In this episode, I break down why proper bile flow is one of the most important pieces of healthy digestion. While it's best known for helping you digest fats, healthy bile flow also supports your gut microbiome, bowel movements, detoxification, hormone balance, nutrient absorption, and even histamine clearance. I'll explain why sluggish bile flow can create a domino effect throughout the body, how chronic stress and low stomach acid contribute to poor bile production, the signs of bile issues I look for in practice, and simple ways to begin supporting healthy bile flow naturally.

• What bile is, how it's made, and why it's essential for far more than fat digestion.
• How sluggish bile flow contributes to bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and food sensitivities.
• Why poor bile flow increases the risk of recurring SIBO and gut dysbiosis.
• The surprising relationship between bile flow, histamine intolerance, and estrogen dominance.
• How chronic stress disrupts CCK signaling and reduces bile release during meals.
• Why low stomach acid and H. pylori can contribute to sluggish bile flow.
• Common signs of impaired fat digestion, including nausea after fatty meals, floating stools, and burping after fish oil.
• Functional lab markers and imaging that can help evaluate bile and gallbladder function.
• Practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to naturally support healthy bile flow.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 15 - Bloating, Food Sensitivities, and Fatigue: Is SIBO the Culprit?
• Listen to Episode 12 - Is Histamine Overload Causing Your Unexplained Symptoms?
• Listen to Episode 35 - The Gut x Histamine Connection
• Listen to Episode 68 - The 9 Hidden Causes of Chronic Constipation (& why more fiber hasn't worked)
• Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues

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Today, I'm breaking down one of the most common gut infections we see in practice: H. pylori. H. pylori is one of the most overlooked root causes of chronic digestive issues, yet it can impact everything from stomach acid production and nutrient absorption to your gut microbiome, thyroid, skin, and energy levels. In this episode, I'm sharing the five biggest signs your gut issues may actually be pointing to an H. pylori infection, why this bacteria is so commonly missed, how it contributes to digestive dysfunction, and what testing and treatment options I recommend from a functional perspective.

• H. pylori is a common stomach bacteria that can significantly reduce stomach acid production and impair digestion.
• Low stomach acid can contribute to bloating, reflux, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, and bacterial overgrowth further down the digestive tract.
• Constant burping, upper abdominal bloating, nausea, and feeling overly full after meals are classic signs of H. pylori.
• Chronic low iron, ferritin, or vitamin B12 despite supplementation may point to impaired nutrient absorption from H. pylori.
• Many people diagnosed with IBS may actually have an underlying gut infection that hasn't been investigated.
• H. pylori is associated with gastritis, stomach ulcers, and may contribute to leaky gut and systemic inflammation.
• Research suggests H. pylori may play a role in Hashimoto's thyroiditis through immune cross-reactivity.
• H. pylori can coexist with dysbiosis, Candida overgrowth, SIBO, and other gut imbalances, making comprehensive testing important.
• A functional stool test provides a more complete picture than testing for H. pylori alone.
• Supporting the gut, immune system, stomach lining, and digestive function before eradication is an important part of a successful healing strategy.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE

• Apply for HAN's 1:1 Coaching Program!

• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Join our Fullscript dispensary to gain access to practitioner-grade supplements at a discount!
• Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues
• Listen to Episode 20 - How to Overcome IBS - A Functional Approach
• Listen to Episode 45 - How Gut Imbalances Drive Hormonal Acne

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It can be so devastating and frustrating to hear from your doctor that you have "unexplained infertility"... but what if it isn't actually "unexplained"?

In this episode, I sit down with natural fertility specialist Dr. Mark Sklar to discuss why so many couples are given this diagnosis, why conventional fertility testing often misses important root causes, and the functional medicine approach to optimizing fertility before jumping straight to IVF.

We dive into the critical role of gut health, inflammation, thyroid function, blood sugar regulation, environmental toxins, stress, sleep, and nutrition in reproductive health—and why supporting the whole body can dramatically improve fertility outcomes for both women and men.

Whether you're currently trying to conceive, planning for pregnancy in the future, or simply want to better understand your reproductive health, this conversation is full of practical insights and hope for your journey.

• Why "unexplained infertility" often means more investigation is needed—not that there's no cause.
• How functional medicine looks beyond conventional fertility testing.
• The surprising connection between your gut health and fertility outcomes.
• Why blood sugar, thyroid health, inflammation, and adrenal function are foundational for conception.
• The overlooked role that male fertility plays in conception.
• How environmental toxins, mold, pesticides, plastics, and heavy metals may impact fertility.
• Why endometriosis is often missed—and what new testing options are becoming available.
• The fertility labs Dr. Sklar recommends beyond standard testing.
• Supplements that may support fertility, including CoQ10, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.

• 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 39 - How to Eat for Optimal Fertility with Lily Nichols RDN
• Listen to Episode 42 - Gut Health x Fertility: What Every Woman Should Know
• Listen to Episode 48 - Your Period is Your Fifth Vital Sign with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

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CONNECT WITH DR. MARC:

Instagram  |  Linktree  |  Youtube

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Travel can be one of the biggest triggers for digestive symptoms.

Between disrupted routines, less sleep, dehydration, eating out more often, time zone changes, alcohol, and increased stress, it's no surprise that so many people experience bloating, constipation, reflux, or stomach discomfort while traveling.

In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how I approach eating at restaurants while traveling to support my digestion without becoming restrictive or obsessive.

You'll learn how I choose meals, what I prioritize on a menu, the supplements I travel with, how I support my nervous system while away from home, and the mindset shifts that have helped me enjoy travel without constantly worrying about my gut.

Because the goal isn't perfection — the goal is supporting your body while still enjoying the experience!

• Travel stress, disrupted routines, dehydration, and sleep changes can all impact digestion.
• Packing your own snacks can help prevent blood sugar crashes and poor food choices while traveling.
• Constant snacking can disrupt the migrating motor complex (MMC) and contribute to bloating and constipation.
• Prioritizing protein at every meal is one of the simplest ways to support blood sugar, digestion, and energy levels.
• Nervous system regulation is just as important as food choices when it comes to digestion.
• Breathwork, journaling, gut-directed hypnosis, and mindfulness can improve digestive function while traveling.
• Digestive enzymes, bitters, electrolytes, and herbal teas can provide additional support on the road.
• Trusting your body and releasing food fear often improves digestion more than chasing perfection.

• 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
• Join our Fullscript dispensary to gain access to practitioner-grade supplements at a discount!
• Listen to Episode 72 - The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) — Your Gut's Natural Cleaning Cycle
• Listen to Episode 49 - Gut Health Hacks for Healthy Holiday Travel
• Listen to Episode 10 - My Go-To Travel Hacks for Gut Health & Better Digestion

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In this episode, I sit down with Faith Ashenden, nervous system and subconscious reprogramming expert and founder of That Healing Feeling, to explore one of the most overlooked pieces of the healing journey: the subconscious mind.

Faith shares her incredible story of recovering from Graves' disease, IBS, POTS, chronic fatigue, chronic UTIs, and a long list of debilitating symptoms that ultimately left her bedridden and unable to work. After years of pursuing both conventional and functional medicine approaches, she discovered that while many of those tools helped her improve, they didn't fully give her freedom back. That realization led her down the path of studying neuroplasticity, nervous system regulation, and subconscious reprogramming.

Together, we discuss how chronic illness can become intertwined with identity, why many people unknowingly develop beliefs that keep them stuck, and how the subconscious mind influences everything from stress responses to healing capacity.

We also dive into perfectionism, people-pleasing, symptom patterns, trauma responses, nervous system regulation, and how creating safety in the body may be one of the most important components of long-term healing.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still aren't seeing the progress you want, this conversation could completely change the way you think about healing.

• Chronic illness often becomes part of a person's identity, which can unintentionally make healing more difficult.

• The subconscious mind acts as the bridge between conscious thoughts and the nervous system.

• Neuroplasticity demonstrates that the brain and nervous system can change throughout life.

• Many people improve physically but still don't feel truly free because the fear and symptom monitoring remain.

• Perfectionism, hyper-independence, overachievement, and people-pleasing are often nervous system adaptations rather than personality traits.

• Creating safety in the body is a foundational component of recovery.

• Nervous system regulation can benefit people regardless of diagnosis, whether they are dealing with gut issues, thyroid conditions, MCAS, fatigue, or autoimmune disease.

• Healing often requires addressing both physical root causes and subconscious patterns simultaneously.

• Recovery is not about finding the perfect protocol—it's about creating an environment where the body believes healing is possible.

• 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 1 - How Trauma Impacts Gut and Hormone Health

• Listen to Episode 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire

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CONNECT WITH FAITH:

Instagram  |  The Full Breakthrough Healing Experience Live Masterclass

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Low progesterone is one of the most common hormone patterns we see in women struggling with chronic digestive issues, burnout, thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, and chronic stress. But here's the truth: low progesterone is rarely the root problem.

In this episode, I break down why progesterone is often a downstream symptom rather than the true cause. We'll dive into how stress, under-eating, poor gut health, blood sugar dysregulation, thyroid issues, and nervous system dysfunction can all contribute to low progesterone levels and hormone imbalances. You'll learn the key signs of low progesterone, why ovulation matters, how progesterone and estrogen work together, and practical ways to naturally support healthy hormone production from a root-cause perspective.

Whether you're dealing with PMS, painful periods, fertility struggles, anxiety before your cycle, insomnia, spotting, or feeling like a completely different person during your luteal phase, this episode will help you understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

• Low progesterone is often a symptom of deeper dysfunction rather than the root cause itself.
• Progesterone is primarily produced after ovulation, making healthy ovulation essential for healthy progesterone levels.
• Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation are among the most common drivers of low progesterone.
• Under-eating, low-calorie diets, inadequate carbohydrates, and nutrient deficiencies can impair ovulation and hormone production.
• Blood sugar instability increases cortisol production, which can negatively impact progesterone levels.
• Thyroid health and progesterone are deeply connected, and thyroid dysfunction can impair ovulation.
• Gut dysfunction and inflammation can contribute to hormone imbalances through poor nutrient absorption and impaired estrogen clearance.
• Many cases of "estrogen dominance" are actually low progesterone relative to estrogen.
• Supporting progesterone naturally requires addressing stress, nutrition, blood sugar, thyroid function, and gut health simultaneously.

• 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 11 - Top 5 Tips for Balancing Your Blood Sugar
• Listen to Episode 70 - Are You Addicted to Stress Hormones?
• Listen to Episode 28 - How Your Gut Is Messing With Your Hormones: The Estrogen & Thyroid Connection

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What if women stopped feeling like they need to be smaller… and instead focused on getting stronger? In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I sit down with health coach, author, and podcast host, Ashleigh VanHouten, for a powerful conversation about muscle, metabolism, longevity, and redefining what fitness means for women.

Together, we unpack the harmful messages many women receive about dieting, shrinking themselves, and chasing thinness—and explore why building strength may be one of the most important investments you can make in your long-term health.

We'll also discuss protein intake, body composition, injury prevention, muscle loss with aging, the power of organ meats, nutrient density, and practical ways to fuel your body for energy, resilience, and longevity.

• Training to be strong is often far more empowering than training to be skinny.
• Muscle mass is critical for longevity, metabolic health, injury prevention, and healthy aging.
• Many women are under-consuming protein. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar, reduce cravings, improve satiety, and support hormone health.
• Confidence often comes from competency—not appearance.
• Strength training can improve bone density and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and age-related muscle loss.
• Building muscle requires adequate protein, recovery, and progressive overload—you don't need to spend hours in the gym, and you don't need endless cardio.
• Organ meats are some of the most nutrient-dense foods available and can help support micronutrient status.
• Recovery is when muscle growth actually occurs, making sleep and recovery just as important as training.

• 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 67 - Why Cutting Out Gluten, Dairy, and Sugar Didn't Heal Your Gut
• Listen to Episode 39 - How to Eat for Optimal Fertility with Lily Nichols RDN

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CONNECT WITH ASHLEIGH:

Instagram  |  Website  | Book: It Takes Guts

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In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I sit down with integrative veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan to explore the surprising parallels between human health and pet health.

From gut health and microbiome balance to toxin exposure, mold illness, ultra-processed food, nervous system regulation, and chronic inflammation, this conversation dives deep into what it truly means to support our pets at the root-cause level.

Dr. Judy shares how conventional veterinary medicine often focuses on symptom suppression, while holistic veterinary medicine looks at the entire picture: diet, environment, toxic load, lifestyle, stress, immune function, and more.

You'll learn why ultra-processed pet food may be harming your animals, why gut health matters just as much for animals as it does for humans, natural approaches to supporting your pet's immunity, detoxification, longevity, and overall wellness, and more!

• Holistic veterinary medicine focuses on identifying and addressing root causes, not just suppressing symptoms
• Many chronic pet conditions (itching, GI issues, allergies, arthritis) are tied to inflammation and toxic burden
• Ultra-processed kibble can negatively impact gut health, hydration, immune function, and longevity in pets
• Cats are obligate carnivores and thrive on high-moisture, minimally processed diets
• Flea and tick medications are neurotoxins and may contribute to toxic load in pets and households
• Mold exposure and environmental toxins impact pets similarly to humans
• Gut health and the gut-brain axis exist in animals too — affecting mood, anxiety, behavior, and immune health
• Fresh foods like eggs, sardines, bone broth, berries, and mushrooms can significantly support pet health
• Circadian rhythm, movement, enrichment, and sunlight matter for animals too
• Lab testing such as microbiome testing, vitamin D, mineral analysis, and stool testing can provide valuable insight into pet health

• 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 71 - Q&A with Hannah: SIBO, GLP-1s, Low Progesterone, Histamine Issues, and More!
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine

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CONNECT WITH DR. JUDY:

Instagram  |  Website   | Use code NUTRIENT50 for 50% off Dr. Judy authored books found on NaturallyHealthyPets.com

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In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, Hannah Aylward breaks down one of the most overlooked systems in gut health: the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC). If you struggle with chronic bloating, constipation, gas, reflux, recurring SIBO, or food sensitivities, this episode explains why your gut's natural "self-cleaning mechanism" may not be functioning properly — and how that can contribute to bacterial overgrowth and digestive dysfunction.

Hannah dives into how the MMC works, why meal spacing and circadian rhythm matter, how chronic stress impacts gut motility, and the hidden reasons many people relapse after SIBO treatment. She also shares practical strategies to naturally support your gut motility, reduce bloating, improve bowel movements, and optimize digestion without falling into restrictive diet culture.

• What the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) actually is and why it acts like your gut's internal "cleaning wave"
• How impaired MMC function contributes to SIBO, bloating, constipation, reflux, and food sensitivities
• Why chronic grazing and constant snacking can disrupt gut motility
• The connection between stress, nervous system dysregulation, and slowed digestion
• Why recurring SIBO often comes back if underlying motility issues are never addressed
• The role circadian rhythm plays in digestive health and bacterial balance
• Why shift workers and nurses often struggle with gut dysfunction
• How under-eating and poor meal timing negatively impact gut health
• Hannah's recommendations for meal spacing and overnight fasting
• Simple strategies to naturally support gut motility
• The connection between hypothyroidism and constipation
• Why gut healing requires both deeper interventions AND supporting the body's natural self-cleaning mechanisms

• 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 15 - Bloating, Food Sensitivities, and Fatigue: Is SIBO the Culprit?
• 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

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In this Q&A-style episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I answer listener-submitted questions on some of the most common (and misunderstood) gut and hormone concerns I see in practice. Hannah dives into what to actually eat while treating SIBO, why food alone won't fix bacterial overgrowth, and the deeper root causes behind chronic bloating, IBS, low stomach acid, histamine flares, and low progesterone.

She also shares her perspective on GLP-1 medications and gut health, explains why chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation are often at the root of hormone imbalance and digestive dysfunction, and gives practical strategies to support better sleep, cortisol regulation, gut motility, and detoxification. If you've been feeling reactive to foods, chronically stressed, exhausted, bloated, inflamed, or like your body just isn't functioning the way it should — this episode is packed with foundational education and actionable takeaways.

• SIBO is not just a food issue — it's often rooted in impaired gut motility and digestive dysfunction.
• Constant snacking and grazing can disrupt the migrating motor complex (MMC), increasing susceptibility to bacterial overgrowth.
• Ginger, bitter foods, and proper meal spacing can naturally support gut motility.
• The low FODMAP diet may provide temporary relief, but it does not address root causes.
• GLP-1 medications may negatively impact gut motility, gastric emptying, bile flow, and digestive function in some individuals.
• Mold illness can contribute to histamine issues, facial puffiness, inflammation, high cortisol, and gut dysfunction.
• Lymphatic drainage support is critical during mold detoxification.
• Chronic stress and HPA axis dysregulation are major contributors to low progesterone and hormone imbalance.
• Morning sunlight exposure and reducing blue light at night can significantly improve cortisol rhythm and sleep quality.
• There is no "one supplement" for IBS — the root cause must be identified and addressed individually.
• Magnesium glycinate is one of the most broadly supportive nutrients for stress, digestion, nervous system health, and constipation support.
• Low stomach acid often signals deeper dysfunction like infections, mold exposure, or chronic stress.

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join us in my gut healing group program, Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts before doors close on 5/7!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 15 - Bloating, Food Sensitivities, and Fatigue: Is SIBO the Culprit?
• Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine
• Listen to Episode 20 - How to Overcome IBS - A Functional Approach

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You're not addicted to stress. You're addicted to how it makes you feel.

In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked patterns keeping women stuck in burnout, gut issues, and hormonal chaos: the addiction to stress hormones.

If you feel like you:

Thrive under pressure

Can't relax even when you're exhausted

Crash the second life slows down

Or feel anxious when things are calm…

This isn't a personality trait. It's a conditioned nervous system response.

Inside this episode, I walk you through:

What's actually happening in your body when you're "running on cortisol"

Why your nervous system starts to feel safe in chaos

How this pattern directly impacts your gut, hormones, and energy

And the exact steps to start rewiring your body out of survival mode

Because healing your gut isn't just about food and supplements…It's about teaching your body that it's finally safe to slow down.

• You're not addicted to stress—you're addicted to the chemical state it creates
• The nervous system will always choose what feels familiar—even if it's harmful
• Many high-performing women are conditioned to feel safe in chaos
• Chronic stress rewires your body at a physiological level (HPA axis dysregulation)
• "Tired but wired" is one of the clearest signs of cortisol imbalance
• Gut issues are often downstream of chronic stress patterns
• Burnout is not random—it's the result of long-term stress hormone dependency
• Healing requires both:
  • Physical support (nutrition, minerals, sleep)
  • Nervous system rewiring
•  You don't need to eliminate stress—you need to build safety in your body
• Small, consistent regulation practices are what actually create change

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join us in my gut healing group program, Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts before doors close on 5/7!
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Listen to Episode 6 - Q&A with Team HAN: SIBO, mold toxicity, histamine overload & more
• Listen to Episode 37 - Client Case Study: From IBS, Bloating + Food Sensitivities to Pain-free Digestion & Tolerating More Foods
• Listen to Episode 66 - The Most Overlooked Causes of Chronic Digestive Issues

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If you've been told "it's just IBS"… but you're still dealing with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, food sensitivities, fatigue, and Hashimoto's symptoms — this episode is for you.

In this client case study episode, I'm breaking down exactly how we helped one of our clients go from 10 years of chronic digestive issues to feeling like a completely different person in just four months.

She came to us with:

 → constipation + overflow diarrhea

 → reacting to almost every food

 → chronic bloating

 → low iron + low vitamin D

 → elevated thyroid antibodies

 → fatigue, weight gain, and constant frustration

By the end of working together:

 - daily bowel movements

 - no more bloating

 - food freedom

 - significantly more energy

 - thyroid antibodies dropped by over 500 points

This is what happens when you stop treating symptoms… and start addressing the true root cause.

• Why IBS is often just a label — not a real root cause answer
• How Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism are deeply connected to gut health
• Why low stomach acid can lead to bloating, constipation, and nutrient deficiencies
• The connection between bile flow, liver health, and thyroid function
• Why food sensitivities are often a digestive function issue — not a food issue
• How chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation suppress digestion
• Why random supplements and elimination diets often fail
• The 4-phase process we use to restore gut health at the root cause level

• Save your seat for my FREE 3 Phase Good Gut Formula Masterclass on 4/29!
• 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 37 - Client Case Study: From IBS, Bloating + Food Sensitivities to Pain-free Digestion & Tolerating More Foods
• Listen to Episode 66 - The Most Overlooked Causes of Chronic Digestive Issues

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Constipated regardless of how healthy you eat? Staying hydrated, eating fiber, but still struggling to have regular bowel movements? You don't have a laxative deficiency. It's time to dig deeper. Constipation is NOT just a fiber issue. In this training-style episode, I'm walking you through the true root causes of chronic constipation - the ones that most conventional approaches completely miss. We're diving into digestion, gut microbiome imbalances, nervous system regulation, thyroid health, and more so you can finally understand why your body isn't moving the way it should.

• What a healthy bowel movement actually looks like
• Why fiber, laxatives, and hydration often don't fix the issue
• The connection between constipation, hormones, acne, and toxin buildup
• Why you may feel worse adding more fiber
• The role of digestion, gut bacteria, and motility in regularity
• Why traveling can trigger constipation (and how to fix it)
• How multiple root causes often overlap (it's rarely just one thing)

• 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 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire
• Listen to Episode 7 - Common Gut Imbalances: SIBO, Candida Overgrowth, Dysbiosis, IBS & More

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If you've cut out gluten, dairy, sugar, and still feel bloated, constipated, or reactive to foods… this episode is going to change how you think about gut healing.

In this training-style episode, I'm breaking down why removing foods alone won't fix your gut — and what's actually going on underneath your symptoms.

Because the truth is, it's not just about the food. It's about your ability to digest and tolerate that food. We're diving into the real root causes of chronic gut issues so you can stop restricting and start actually healing.

• Why elimination diets only provide temporary relief (if any)
• The real reason you're reacting to healthy foods
• Why food sensitivities are a symptom, not the root cause
• How restrictive diets can actually lead to more food fear + worse symptoms
• The difference between removing foods vs. restoring function
• Why "eating clean" isn't enough to heal your gut
• The role of digestive capacity in long-term healing
• The deeper root causes behind bloating, constipation, and IBS

• 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 2 - The Difference Between Food Sensitivities vs Intolerances vs Allergies
• Listen to Episode 33 -Main Root Causes of Chronic Gut & Digestive Issues

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In this solo episode, I'm breaking down the most overlooked root causes of chronic gut and digestive issues — the ones that conventional testing often misses.

Because here's the truth, it's not just about the food you're eating. It's about your ability to actually digest and process that food. We're diving into the real reasons your symptoms keep coming back, and why focusing only on elimination diets and symptom management is keeping you stuck.

• Why an IBS diagnosis doesn't actually explain your symptoms
• The difference between symptom management vs. root cause healing
• Why food sensitivities are often a result, not the problem
• How digestion works as a system (north → south)
• Why removing more foods is NOT the solution
• The connection between gut health, hormones, skin, energy & thyroid health
• Why your labs can look "normal" while your gut is not
• The biggest breakdowns in digestive function that lead to bloating, gas & constipation

• 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 64 - The Hidden Signs of Gut Imbalance You're Probably Ignoring
• Listen to Episode 52 - 5 Main Causes of Non-stop Bloating (that aren't food related)

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In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I sit down with board-certified pediatrician and integrative medicine expert Dr. Joel Warsh to have a nuanced, grounded conversation about one of the most polarized topics in health right now: vaccines. We dive into the growing distrust in the medical system and why so many parents are starting to ask deeper questions about their healthcare decisions.

This is not a black-and-white conversation. It's about informed consent, better research, and deepening an important conversation in the public health space. 

These conversations are uncomfortable to have and often polarizing. It's not about being "pro-vaccine" or "anti-vaccine". My hope is that you walk away from listening to this episode feeling grounded and clearer on the science and research that we do have on this topic.

• Why trust in the medical system is at an all-time low
• How pandemic messaging accelerated medical distrust
• The difference between efficacy vs. safety in research
• Why informed consent is missing from modern healthcare
• The nuance between pro-vaccine vs. pro-safe vaccines
• What we actually know (and don't know) about vaccine risks
• Why vaccine conversations have become so polarized
• The truth about measles risk vs. fear-based messaging
• Why better research could actually increase trust in vaccines
• How functional medicine fills gaps left by conventional care

• 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 59 - How to Support Your Nervous System in Times of Chaos
• Listen to Episode 27 -  Make Your Life Your Medicine - A TCM Approach to Gut Health with Dr. Alex Heyne

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CONNECT WITH DR. JOEL:

Instagram  |  Linktree  | Book: Between a Shot and a Hard Place

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Your gut is the epicenter of your health… but what if your symptoms don't look like "gut issues" at all? In this episode, I'm breaking down the hidden signs of gut imbalances that most women overlook—the ones that show up as fatigue, anxiety, hormonal issues, skin breakouts, and more. Your body doesn't compartmentalize symptoms the way conventional medicine does. The brain fog, painful periods and constant fatigue may all be pointing back to one place: your gut. This episode will help you understand all of the full body systems that the gut impacts and what that can look like in your body.

• Your gut is the foundation of full-body health (hormones, energy, skin, brain, immunity)
• You can have gut dysfunction without obvious digestive symptoms
• Fatigue often stems from poor absorption, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction
• Skin issues are frequently a reflection of gut + detox imbalances
• The gut-brain axis directly impacts focus, mood, and anxiety
• Gut bacteria can increase stress hormones and drive anxiety
• Hormonal symptoms (like estrogen dominance) are often downstream of gut dysfunction
• 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut → gut health = immune resilience
• Autoimmunity is strongly linked to leaky gut + systemic inflammation
• Symptoms are signals of deeper imbalances, not isolated issues

• 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 45 - How Gut Imbalances Drive Hormonal Acne
• Listen to Episode 28 - How Your Gut Is Messing With Your Hormones: The Estrogen & Thyroid Connection
• Listen to Episode 30 - Is Your Gut Causing High Cortisol? The Gut x Cortisol Connection
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine
• Listen to Episode 40 - What Came First - My Anxiety, or my Gut Issues?
• Listen to Episode 42 - Gut Health x Fertility: What Every Woman Should Know

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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.

• 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.

• 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

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CONNECT WITH DR. IZABELLA:

Instagram  |  Website  | Podcast | Upcoming book: IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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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.

• 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

• 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

• 🎧 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.

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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.

• 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.

• 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

• 🎧 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.

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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.

• 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

• 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

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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.

• 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

• 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

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Mold is one of the most overlooked root causes of chronic gut issues, inflammation, fatigue, histamine intolerance, and stalled healing — and most people don't realize it until they've already tried everything else to heal.

In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, Hannah Aylward is joined by Andrew Melrose, founder of Melrose Mold Solutions, to break down what mold exposure actually looks like, why surface-level fixes don't work, and how your home environment can quietly keep your nervous system, gut, and immune system stuck in survival mode.

Andrew explains why mold behaves more like a living organism with roots and why fogging, spraying, or "killing" mold doesn't eliminate exposure. Together, Hannah and Andrew connect the dots between gut healing, histamine intolerance, detox capacity, and environmental stressors, helping listeners understand when mold needs to be part of the conversation...without fear, panic, or overwhelm.

If you've dealt with stubborn digestive symptoms, recurring SIBO, unexplained fatigue, skin issues, brain fog, or feel worse in certain buildings or homes, this episode will give you a grounded, practical framework for identifying environmental contributors and knowing what best steps to take next.

• Mold is not just a surface issue — it behaves like a plant with roots embedded into materials
• Mold cannot grow without moisture
• Bleach, vinegar, fogging, or "killing" mold does not remove exposure if the source remains
• Indoor mold exposure is more problematic than outdoor mold due to enclosed spaces and air circulation
• Chronic gut issues, histamine intolerance, fatigue, skin symptoms, and neurological issues can all be linked to mold exposure
• HVAC systems, crawl spaces, attics, and wall cavities are some of the most commonly missed mold sources
• Air testing alone often fails to identify the real problem — thorough inspections matter more
• True remediation requires containment, material removal, and detailed cleaning, not shortcuts
• Healing improves when the environment becomes mold-safe, not necessarily mold-free

• 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

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CONNECT WITH ANDREW:

Instagram  |  Website  | Free Guides + Resources: The Mold Removal Guide, The Mold Safe Home Habits

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Have you ever been told "everything looks normal" — after blood work, a colonoscopy, or an endoscopy — yet you're still dealing with chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, or food reactions?

In this episode, Hannah breaks down why conventional testing often misses the root causes of digestive issues, what "normal" actually means in modern medicine, and how a functional approach helps uncover what's really going on beneath the surface.

If you've tried elimination diets, supplements, and been told it's "just stress," this conversation will help you finally connect the dots.

After struggling for years with digestive issues, bloating, irregular bowel movements, etc, I am so relieved that I have finally found the root cause of my problems. After getting labs done from doctors, and being told nothing is wrong with me, this program has stood true and has found the reasons why I am dealing with my problems, AND has given solutions!

I've been on rounds of antibiotics time after time thinking it will "kill off" the problem in my gut. When I realized the real way to fix the problem is to find the source and treat that. I have learned so much from the practitioners, Hannah and the group of individuals in this program. I can say my digestive issues have improved greatly since starting this program. Not to mention how proud I am of myself for putting myself first, for prioritizing my health and my body!

— O.T.

Before this program - even as a nutritionist- I thought I had my digestive issues under control. But that was a fleeting feeling. I quickly exhausted my own knowledge of the digestive tract and felt at my wits end. I wasn't dealing with my daily stressors and my digestive system was adding even more stress. After completing this program, I have a renewed appreciation for how food can properly fuel my body, whereas before when I was trying to fuel my body, I was not truly feeding my gut with proper nutrients and knowing what works for my gut and what doesn't. The knowledge this team has is beneficial and will stick with you, they break it down in easy to learn sections that set you up for success. No one is a lost cause and they make you feel validated and heard every step of the way.

— M.P.

Less stress and anxiety! I feel more chill about everything! Increased ability to handle stress when it comes up. Consistent and easy BMs. Just went on a 10 day trip and had zero constipation! More energy. Before this program, I had to take multiple breaks a day to lay down. I don't need that anymore. Less bloating. I feel much more comfortable in my jeans. I lost 12 lbs. More mild PMS symptoms, less mood swings specifically. Also, found and got rid of mold in my home because of this program. Also, now I know how to address issues I have with my gallbladder. I'm still working through this, but now I know what to do when I have a flare up. Before this program, I could find next to zero information on gallbladder issues, except to eat a low fat diet or take it out completely. Now I have hope and feel empowered to heal my gallbladder. My daily routine has also shifted significantly. I added in so many nourishing habits that have literally changed the way I live my life.

— K.S.

• Why "normal labs" don't always mean optimal health
• The difference between conventional ranges vs. functional ranges
• Why blood work alone can't assess gut health or digestion
• How low vitamin D, iron, or B12 often point to deeper gut issues
• Why supplementing nutrients without addressing absorption often fails
• The truth about thyroid testing (and why TSH alone isn't enough)
• How gut dysfunction can exist long before disease is diagnosable
• What colonoscopies and endoscopies are great for — and what they miss
• How functional gut testing reveals microbial imbalances, infections, and maldigestion

• Join us in my gut healing group program, Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts before enrollment ends on January 30th at 11:59 PM EST!

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In this deep-dive masterclass replay, Hannah walks through the entire root-cause gut healing framework she uses with clients.

Hannah also answers live audience questions on histamine intolerance, H. pylori, SIBO, low ferritin, fast digestion, birth control, intermittent fasting, mold exposure, hormone testing, and more — making this one of the most comprehensive gut health episodes to date.

If you're ready to stop guessing and finally understand what your body actually needs, this episode will change how you look at gut healing forever.

• Our exact step-by-step formula that we use with all of our clients to transform their gut health & repair their digestive system for good
• The critical factors contributing to bloating & digestive distress that NO ONE talks about
• How to eat delicious food, without counting or weighing anything, and increase energy, clear up skin, and restore pain-free digestion
• Unveil the biggest myths around digestive conditions that keep most people totally stuck

• Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
• Join us in my gut healing group program, Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts
• Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
• Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
• Listen to Episode 7 - Common Gut Imbalances: SIBO, Candida Overgrowth, Dysbiosis, IBS & More
• Listen to Episode 17 - Decoding Your Gut: Functional Stool Testing Deep Dive
• Listen to Episode 20 - How to Overcome IBS - A Functional Approach

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What if the reason your bloating, constipation, fatigue, and food sensitivities haven't resolved… is because no one has looked deep enough? In today's episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I walk through a powerful client case study that highlights why surface-level solutions like elimination diets, probiotics, and random supplements often fail — and what actually works instead.

This client came in exhausted, bloated daily, severely constipated, struggling with painful periods, and feeling like she had "tried everything." Through functional stool testing, we uncovered multiple hidden root causes including H. pylori, bacterial overgrowth, fungal overgrowth, a parasitic infection, low digestive enzymes, and suppressed gut immune function. Hannah breaks down exactly how these findings connect, why traditional testing often misses them, and how a strategic, phased gut-healing approach led to dramatic improvements in just a few months — including daily bowel movements, zero bloating, more energy, and relief she thought was impossible.

If you've been told "everything looks normal" but you know something isn't right, this episode will help you understand why — and what to do next.

• Why chronic bloating and food reactions are symptoms, not the root problem
• How H. pylori impacts stomach acid, nutrient absorption, fatigue, and downstream gut issues
• The connection between low stomach acid, low enzymes, and bacterial overgrowth
• Why probiotics can make some people feel worse
• How histamine intolerance often points to deeper gut and liver dysfunction
• Why highly restrictive diets (low FODMAP, anti-Candida, carnivore) rarely fix the issue long-term
• The role of gut immune function (secretory IgA) and chronic stress
• Why "you are what you absorb" matters more than "you are what you eat"
• What true root-cause gut healing actually looks like in practice

• Save your seat for my FREE 3 Phase Good Gut Formula Masterclass on 1/21!
• 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 9 - Common Root Causes of Gut Issues
• Listen to  Episode 16 - Top 6 Gut Healing Mistakes
• Listen to  Episode 14 - Chronically Stressed & Exhausted? Navigating Burnout & "Adrenal Fatigue"

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If you've tried elimination diets, supplements, cleanses, and even worked with practitioners — yet you're still bloated, reactive, constipated, or exhausted — this episode explains why.

In this deep-dive episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I walk through the most common reasons gut healing stalls, even when you feel like you're "doing everything right." From poor detox capacity and low gut-immune function to missing root causes, incomplete testing, incorrect protocol order, and nervous system dysregulation, I break down what actually needs to be in place for true, lasting healing.

This episode covers why symptom-chasing doesn't work, why seven-day cleanses fail, how chronic depletion and over-restriction keep the body stuck, and why healing requires nourishment, safety, consistency, and the right strategy — not more willpower.

If you feel discouraged, confused, or stuck in a cycle of trying everything to heal your gut with no results, this episode will help you finally connect the dots and understand what your body has been asking for all along.

• Gut healing fails when detox pathways, digestion, and elimination aren't properly supported first
• Killing bacteria or fungi without adequate liver, bile, bowel, and immune support can worsen symptoms
• Endotoxins released during gut protocols can increase inflammation
• Chronic gut issues lead to nutrient depletion due to poor absorption and long-term restriction
• Symptoms like bloating, reflux, histamine reactions, and food sensitivities are signals, not root causes
• Eliminating foods may reduce symptoms temporarily but does not resolve underlying dysfunction
• Proper testing is essential to identify bacterial overgrowth, fungal issues, infections, toxins, and immune status
• Generic protocols, cleanses, and short-term interventions often miss the mark
• Gut healing requires the correct order of operations, customization, and adequate time
• Nervous system dysregulation can stall healing by keeping the body out of repair mode
• Healing is about building safety, resilience, and trust — not eliminating stress completely

• 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 9 - Common Root Causes of Gut Issues
• Listen to Episode 16 - Top 6 Gut Healing Mistakes
• Listen to Episode 41 - Before You Invest In Functional Testing, Make Sure You're Doing These Things

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Is nervous system dysregulation really the root cause of chronic bloating, IBS, food sensitivities, and digestive discomfort — or is that only part of the picture?

In this episode, I break down how the nervous system and gut are deeply interconnected, why digestion is a nervous-system–regulated process, and why healing your gut requires more than just "calming your nervous system." This episode explains the science behind the gut–brain axis, vagus nerve, stress hormones, histamine overload, and microbiome imbalances — and why nervous system regulation and targeted gut repair must work together for lasting results.

You'll learn how chronic stress impacts digestion, gut motility, stomach acid, immune function, and the gut lining, as well as how gut imbalances themselves can drive anxiety, panic, and overwhelm. We also explore practical tools to regulate your nervous system, build stress resilience, and support digestion in real life — without needing expensive gadgets or extreme routines.

• Nervous system dysregulation contributes to gut issues — but it is rarely the only root cause
• Digestion is a nervous-system–regulated process, not just about food or supplements
• Chronic stress suppresses stomach acid, enzymes, bile flow, gut motility, and immune function
• The gut–brain axis is bi-directional: the gut affects anxiety and stress, and stress affects the gut
• Cortisol and stress hormones damage the gut lining and contribute to leaky gut and inflammation
• Gut imbalances can increase anxiety through histamine overload, neurotransmitter disruption, and endotoxins
• Trauma, chronic overwhelm, perfectionism, and people-pleasing all impact gut health via the nervous system
• Nervous system regulation must be paired with microbiome repair, digestion support, and root-cause healing
• Simple, accessible tools like breathwork can rapidly shift the body into a rest-and-digest state
• Healing isn't about eliminating stress — it's about building capacity and resilience

• 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 1 - How Trauma Impacts Gut and Hormone Health
• Listen to Episode 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire
• Listen to Episode 40 - What Came First - My Anxiety, or my Gut Issues?

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Chronic bloating that doesn't go away — even when you're eating "clean" — can feel incredibly frustrating and confusing. In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I break down the real root causes of nonstop bloating that most people are missing.

If you're waking up bloated, reacting to healthy foods, feeling bloated after drinking water, or living on elimination diets with little relief, this episode is for you. Hannah explains why bloating often has nothing to do with the food itself and everything to do with digestive output, gut infections, nervous system regulation, and microbial imbalances.

You'll learn the 5 most common underlying causes of chronic bloating — and why addressing digestion, gut motility, and the gut–brain connection is the key to lasting relief.

• Chronic bloating is rarely caused by food alone — it's usually a deeper gut imbalance
• Low digestive output (stomach acid, enzymes, bile) can lead to bloating no matter how healthy you eat
• Microbial dysbiosis (including SIBO, fungal overgrowth, and bacterial imbalance) is a major bloating driver
• Chronic stress and sympathetic nervous system dominance directly suppress digestion
• H. pylori infections can reduce stomach acid and trigger bloating, reflux, and nutrient deficiencies
• Constipation — even mild or "normal" constipation — fuels gas, bloating, and abdominal distention
• Elimination diets and low-FODMAP approaches may reduce symptoms temporarily but don't fix root causes
• Supporting digestion, gut motility, bile flow, and nervous system regulation leads to sustainable healing
• Healing your gut improves far more than digestion — energy, brain fog, skin, hormones, and fertility are all connected

• 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 9 - Common Root Causes of Gut Issues
• Listen to Episode 16 - Top 6 Gut Healing Mistakes
• Listen to Episode 5 - Why Your Digestion Sucks Even When You Eat Clean

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In this guided year-end reflection, I take you through a powerful process for closing the chapter on 2025 and stepping into 2026 with clarity, alignment, and confidence. If you're someone who sets New Year's resolutions but rarely feels like they stick, this episode will shift everything.Together we explore why traditional New Year's resolutions fail, how nervous system regulation influences goal-setting, and why reflecting on past growth is essential before visioning the future.

I share powerful mindset shifts around alignment, authenticity, nervous system safety, limiting beliefs, and self-trust. You'll be led through structured reflection questions on accomplishments, challenges, patterns, habits, beliefs, goals, and the environments and supports needed to embody their next-level identity.

This episode doubles as a guided workshop: part reflection, part somatic awareness, part goal-setting, part strategy. You'll come up with a plan that will help you create the future that you want to create in 2026. Let's go!

• Most resolutions fail because they're too extreme, not authentic, or out of alignment with nervous system safety.
• Reflection is essential for building confidence, identifying patterns, and setting grounded vision for the future.
• The nervous system influences your ability to dream, plan, regulate, and act—your story reflects your state.
• Lack of self-trust comes from breaking promises to yourself; rebuilding trust requires small, consistent actions.
• You cannot achieve optimal health while living a life that feels deeply inauthentic or misaligned.
• Small, sustainable daily habits—not massive overnight changes—create real transformation.
• Indecision is a decision; avoiding action delays your desired future.
• Limiting beliefs surface the moment you set goals; naming them helps dissolve them.
• Environment, community, and emotional space deeply shape your ability to thrive.
• Action creates clarity—not more education or more waiting.

• 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 10 - My Go-To Travel Hacks for Gut Health & Better Digestion
• Listen to Episode 26 - 3 Nutrition Non-Negotiables for Good Gut Health
• Listen to Episode 32 - My 4 Step Process to Get Yourself Out of a Rut & Create the Health (+ Life) You Desire

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Want to reduce your toxin exposure at home? This is the episode for you. On this episode of The Nutrient Dense Podcast, I'm joined by Ashley Spanovich, a certified building biologist, to discuss the critical aspects of creating a healthy home environment. We focus on mold prevention, air quality, and the importance of building biology. Ashley shares her personal journey into this field, highlighting the common misconceptions about mold in homes and the need for proper ventilation and moisture control. The discussion also covers practical advice for home buyers, including what to look for in new builds and existing homes, the significance of thorough inspections, and the impact of mechanical systems on indoor air quality. In this conversation, the we delve into essential aspects of home maintenance, focusing on mechanical systems, basement moisture issues, and the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on health. We emphasize the importance of thorough inspections when buying a home, particularly regarding maintenance records and potential moisture problems in basements. In this episode, we also discuss the health implications of EMFs, highlighting the need for awareness and proactive measures to mitigate exposure.

• Homes need to dry out, not breathe.
• Most builders overlook mold prevention.
• Air quality is crucial for a healthy home.
• New builds can still have mold issues.
• Crawl spaces are often hidden causes of mold exposure.
• Always ask for maintenance documentation when buying a home.
• The majority of basements are water damaged - look for signs of water damage and moisture issues in basements.
• EMFs can impact health by affecting cellular functions.
• Minimizing exposure to non-native EMFs is crucial for well-being.
• Putting your phone on airplane mode at night can reduce EMF exposure.
• Nature provides essential health benefits that should not be overlooked.

• 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 33 - Main Root Causes of Chronic Gut & Digestive Issues
• Listen to Episode 41 - Before You Invest In Functional Testing, Make Sure You're Doing These Things

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Worried about navigating the holidays with gut issues? Already stressing about how your digestion will feel with holiday travel? In this episode I dive into my top gut health hacks during the holiday season. I share practical tips for maintaining gut health while traveling like supplements for digestive support, nutrition tips, and constipation hacks. We also get into how to choose healthy options at holiday parties, "healthier" drinks, and more.

• Traveling can disrupt gut health.
• Pack my go-to digestive support supplements with you while traveling to minimize constipation and bloating.
• Pack your own snacks - specific examples in the episode!
• Hydration and electrolytes are crucial while traveling.
• Creating your morning travel routine will support your gut function (details in the episode!)
• If drinking alcohol, avoid beer and wine - opt for clear liquors.
• Prioritize balancing blood sugar before holiday parties to avoid over eating.
• Don't stress - one indulgent meal won't ruin your health.

• 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
• Join our Fullscript dispensary to gain access to practitioner-grade supplements at a discount!
• Listen to Episode 10 -: My Go-To Travel Hacks for Gut Health & Better Digestion
• Listen to Episode 26 - 3 Nutrition Non-Negotiables for Good Gut Health
• Listen to Episode 32 - My 4 Step Process to Get Yourself Out of a Rut & Create the Health (+ Life) You Desire

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Did you know that your menstrual cycle is a reflection of your overall health? Your period is your fifth a vital sign. In this episode I am joined by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to discuss the different phases of the menstrual cycle, and how hormonal changes affect both emotional and physical health. The discussion also delves into PMS and PMDD, highlighting the need for better research and understanding of women's hormonal health. We also discuss cycle tracking, the ultimate hack for listening and understanding your hormone health for life. This conversation delves into the intricate relationship between diet, lifestyle, and menstrual health, particularly focusing on the luteal phase and ovulation. If you're feeling confused and defeated when it comes to your hormone health, this is the episode for you. Your body is always communicating. You just have to learn it's language.

• The menstrual cycle is a vital sign that reflects your overall health.
• The luteal phase is crucial for understanding emotional shifts during the cycle.
• Cycle tracking can provide insights into hormonal health.
• Research on women's health lacks detail and depth.
• Support for progesterone can alleviate severe PMS symptoms.
• Charting provides personalized insights into menstrual health.
• Short luteal phases can indicate insufficient progesterone levels.
• Exercise intensity can affect menstrual cycles and hormonal balance.
• Eating enough food is absolutely crucial for a healthy cycle.
• Caffeine can suppress appetite and impact hormonal balance.

• 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 39 - How to Eat for Optimal Fertility with Lily Nichols RDN
• Listen to Episode 42 - Gut Health x Fertility: What Every Woman Should Know

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CONNECT WITH LISA:

Instagram  |  Website  |  Book: The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility