July 14, 2025 • 24 mins
Feeling bloated no matter what you eat? You’re not alone—and it’s not always about what you ate last night. In this episode of Mindful Objective, Dr. Daniel Sproul breaks down the five most overlooked root causes of chronic bloating—and what you can actually do about them. From dysbiosis and low stomach acid to food sensitivities, SIBO, and poor motility, we dig into the why behind your symptoms, not just the what.
You’ll learn how your gut microbiome, stomach acid, immune system, and nervous system all play a role—and how functional lab testing can help uncover what conventional medicine often misses.
We’ll also explore personalized tools and lifestyle strategies to help reduce discomfort, improve digestion, and rebuild long-term resilience.
This episode is for anyone tired of guessing, bloated by 2pm, or frustrated by “normal” labs with no real answers.
📝 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to this disclaimer.
📍If today’s conversation helped reframe your symptoms or sparked a question of your own, share the episode with someone who could benefit. For more insights, resources, and ways to connect, follow along on social media @mindfulobjective.
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📍Submit a show question at https://mindfulobjective.com/podcasts
Healing doesn’t happen all at once, but each question, each step, and each small win adds up. This episode is a reminder that the answers you’re seeking often begin by asking the right questions.
Stay Well!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Mindful Objective, the podcast that brings clarity
to chronic health issues and equips you with the integrative
tools designed for real, lastingtransformation.
I'm your host, doctor Daniel Sproule, integrative health
practitioner and professor, and today we're tackling one of the
most frustrating and widespread symptoms people experience.
This one is really common, bloating.
(00:21):
You eat clean, you take care of yourself, but your stomach keeps
blowing up like a balloon. In this episode, we'll break
down the top five root causes ofbloating, some of which your
doctor may have never mentioned to you.
If you're tired of guessing, frustrated with inconsistent
relief, or just want to understand your body better, you
know this one is for you. As always, this shows for
(00:43):
educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or
cure any illness or disease. So let's get into it.
So let's kick off this episode with the most common,
unappreciated reason for chronicbloating dysbiosis.
This is an imbalance between beneficial, neutral, and
potentially harmful organisms that reside in your digestive
(01:04):
tract. These organisms include
bacteria, fungi, viruses, and also some parasites.
When they're in balance, digestion tends to flow more
smoothly. When they're not, symptoms like
bloating, sluggishness, and inflammation often appear.
And this happens to quite a lot of people.
A lot of people I know I've beenthrough this millions of times,
(01:25):
still go from time to time. So it's real one that hits home
even for myself. Your gut is home to trillions of
microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiome, and this
ecosystem influences digestion, immune regulation, vitamin
sentences such as B12K2, inflammation, mood, and even
(01:46):
hormone balance. A disrupted microbiome can have
wide reaching effects across many parts of your body.
When the wrong types of microbesdominate or when beneficial
microbes are too low, food may not digest efficiently.
Fermentation of carbohydrates and fibers can happen in the
wrong place or too early, leading to production of gas,
(02:07):
hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide that becomes trapped and
causes distention and discomfort.
It's not a good feeling. People with dysbiosis may report
progressive bloating throughout the day, regular bowel habits,
excess gas, sugar cravings, skinirritation, brain fog, even mild
joint discomfort. Possible contributors can be
(02:29):
passed antibiotic use, diets high in processed foods, chronic
stress, low intake of fiber, food poisoning or infections,
environmental toxins, long term acid reducing medications.
Are you on a lot of PPI's? To explore these issues in
greater detail, some individualschoose functional lab testing.
This offers better insights not typically available through
(02:51):
conventional tests. Conventional meaning your
medical doctor. Two options commonly used in our
practice is AGI MAP which is a stool test.
This uses DNA analysis to evaluate bacteria, yeast and
also digestive markers. GI effects.
This is a broader panel that provides insight into digestion,
absorption, inflammation, and short change fatty acid
(03:14):
production. These tests may help uncover
microbiome balances, digestive patterns that are worth
exploring. Based on those findings, we may
recommend a personalized protocol, which could include
herbal support for microbiome balance, targeted probiotic or
prebiotic formulas, digestive enzymes, Nutrients that help
(03:36):
soothe and restore gut lining, such as L glutamine or zinc
carnosine. Another one we'll often do is a
food plan adjustments to reduce common irritants and support
microbial diversity. So unlike conventional medicine,
which often focuses on the symptom suppression, functional
strategies aim to support the body's natural balance and
function. Dysbiosis may not always appear
(03:57):
in standard lab work, which is why a comprehensive stool
analysis is often used when symptoms persist without clear
answers. If you've been experiencing
chronic bloating without relief,you may benefit from exploring
these functional tools. Everyone's gut microbiome is
unique, and with the right support, many individuals find
meaningful improvements in theirdigestive comfort and energy.
(04:18):
Let's talk about something that completely flips the script for
most people. Low stomach acid.
This says hypochloria. It's frequently overlooked
contributor to bloating, especially the type that occurs
shortly after meals, but it's often mistaken for the opposite
problem. That's because the symptom of
low stomach acid can resemble those of acid reflux, leading
many individuals to be prescribed acid suppressing
(04:40):
medications. Those PPI's, they may actually
worsen their digestion over time.
Your stomach is designed to be highly acidic, right?
Hydrochloric acid HCI that playsa vital role in breaking down
proteins, absorbing nutrients like iron and B12, and
stimulating bio and pancreatic enzyme release.
When acid levels are low, food may not fully breakdown.
(05:02):
Instead, it sits longer in the stomach, producing gas and
pressure that leads to upper GI.Bloating, belching and lingering
sense of fullness even after modest meals.
Some signs may include bloating shortly after eating, burping or
hiccups after meals, feeling full for hours after eating,
heartburn that persistent despite antacids, undigested
(05:23):
food particles and stool, weak nails or thinning hair, fatigue
after protein rich meals, low ferritin, and persistent iron
deficiencies. Aging is 1 possible factor.
By age 50, acid production can drop significantly.
But other contributors include chronic stress, eating too
quickly, nutrient deficiencies especially zinc and B vitamins,
(05:46):
and extended use of acid reducing medications.
And a lot of doctors have a lot of people on many acid reducing
medications without even checking stomach acid.
They happen to say all the time,hey, you haven't belching or
anything that's high stomach acid when in reality it may be
low stomach acid. But to explore this further,
functional lab testing may offerhelpful clues.
(06:07):
For example, the one we always talk on is the organic acid
test. This may show markers are
protein fermentation or nutrientimbalances.
A stool panel like GI MAP or GIFX may reflect digestive
enzyme insufficiencies, pH imbalances, or the presence of
microbial overgrowths that thrive in low acid environments.
If low stomach acid is suspected, herself will support
(06:29):
a strategies that may be considered under professional
guidance. Digestive bitters is 1.
These are plant based extracts that encourage natural secretion
of acid and enzymes. Apple cider vinegar This is a
popular one. It's a general pre meal tonic,
some used to support stomach acidity, Beta and HCI
supplements. These may help support acid
(06:50):
levels when used with protein containing meals.
Another one zinc, B12 and folate.
These are nutrients often involved in acid production and
general stomach function. And finally, mindful eating
habits. When you eat, slow down too
thoroughly. You want to activate your
parasympathetic nervous system before eating.
(07:11):
This will enhance your digestivenaturally.
So you want to support healthy stomach acid production.
This can improve things downstream, right?
That digestion. This will help your pancreas,
gallbladder, and small intestinework more efficiently.
When this process is compromised, they can set the
stage for other gut issues, including microbiome imbalance
and food reactivity. So addressing low stomach acid
(07:33):
again is not a quick fix, nor isit chasing the symptoms.
It's about supporting your body's natural digestive rhythm
so that food can be broken down efficiently and nutrients can be
properly absorbed. If you constantly feel bloated
after eating especially high protein meals, or if your
digestion feels sluggish, exploring stomach acid levels
through functional testing can be what your body needs.
(07:55):
If you are dealing with that bloating that worsens as a day
progresses, especially after meals, and nothing seems to
help, one potential contributor it could be is Siebel.
Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth.
Siebel is frequently undiagnosedand often mistaken for IBS, but
it's a distinct condition involving bacterial imbalances
in the small intestine. So here's how it works.
(08:16):
While the large intestine is home to trillions of bacteria
that assists with fiber breakdown and vitamin
production, the small intestine is meant to remain relatively
low in bacteria. It's a primary site for nutrient
absorption, and when bacteria from the colon begins to
colonize in a small intestine, they ferment carbohydrates too
early. This fermentation process
(08:36):
produces gas, hydrogen, methane,and hydrogen sulfide, leading to
common symptoms such as visible bloated belly by the evening,
cramping or discomfort after meals, excessive gas or
belching, regular bowel movements, appetite changes,
fatigue, and even brain fog. Because SIBO symptoms overlap
with dysbiosis, food intoleranceis an IBS testing can help
(08:59):
narrow it down to understand what actually is going on.
Elevated hydrogen or methane gasmay suggest the presence of
bacterial overgrowth in a small intestine.
These are generally three types of SIBO.
Hydrogen dominant. This is often associated with
diarrhea, urgency to go. Methane dominant or IMO.
This is usually linked to Constipation and slow motility.
(09:21):
Hydrogen sulfide. SIBO.
This can produce sulfur like symptoms and odor along with
bloating. SIBO may arise with a variety of
different triggers, prior food poisoning or GI infections,
surgeries or visions that impairmotility, long term use of acid
suppressing medications, hormoneshifts, thyroid disorders and
(09:44):
also autoimmune issues, chronic Constipation or high stress
levels. A functional approach we take is
a multi layered strategy, so microbial support protocols.
These are usually herbal ingredients like berberine,
oregano oil and neem. These are sometimes used in
supportive strategies aimed to reducing bacterial overgrowth.
(10:05):
Then we have motility support. Compounds such as ginger bitters
and proto kinetics are used to help encourage regular digestive
movement. Then we have nutritional shifts,
maybe that low FODMAP diet or SIBO specific food plans.
This may temporarily reduce fermentable carbohydrate intake
while other support is put in place.
(10:25):
Then gut lining and microbiome care.
Some individuals may support from probiotics when used
cautiously, digestive enzymes and compounds like L glutamine,
slippery Elm, or marshmallow root to support mucosal health.
Additional functional lab tests can provide context.
GI map or that GI effects may reveal enzyme levels,
(10:46):
inflammation, microbiome imbalances.
Organic acid test. This can highlight fermentation
markers or nutrient depletion, thyroid and adrenal panels.
These may uncover systematic contributors to poor motility.
SIBO is complex, can be very complex, and may return if root
contributors like stress, slow motility or diet aren't
(11:06):
addressed. It's not an easy fix.
Why? Working with a knowledgeable
practitioner can tailor lab interpretations and protocols to
your unique Physiology. This is very essential, right?
Each person's different, so justagain, what works for one may
not work for the other. It's a slow process, but we're
here to help. If you experience that
persistent bloating, increasing discomfort throughout the day,
(11:30):
or symptoms that haven't resolved despite probiotics or
gut friendly foods, SIBO might be worth exploring.
We're on to #4 bloating isn't always caused by bacteria or
digestive enzymes. Sometimes the discomfort is
rooted in how your immune systemreacts to certain foods.
This is a common one we touched on many times.
(11:52):
One potential contributor to unexplained bloating is food
sensitivities, which differ significantly from food
allergies. So let's clarify the distinction
because I think a lot of people still get this confused.
Food allergies are immediate immune responses mediated by
Ige. As an Edward Ige antibodies,
(12:12):
they can trigger reaction such as hives, throat swallowing, or
anaphylactis. In contrast, food sensitivities
often involve IgG antibodies. I say that slow so people don't
confuse the two. Ige is food allergy, IgG is the
antibodies. So in contrast, food
(12:33):
sensitivities often involve IgG antibodies and take hours or can
take 345 days before it even produces symptoms.
This delay makes them tricky to detect without support.
You can have the option to do anelimination diet, but who has
weeks, months to eliminate foodsand know what they eliminated
(12:53):
and what they actually took in? You can do that elimination
diet, but you have to really strictly keep track of your food
and your liquid intake and eliminate based on what you had
and what you didn't have and obviously keep track of that and
see how things go later on. But the better solution would be
we're on a food sensitivity test.
(13:13):
So you might eat eggs on a Monday, feel bloated on Tuesday
without realizing a connection. Or you might eat those eggs on a
Monday. You don't feel fully bad until
Thursday or Friday, and then yourealize, oh man, that was
something I eat Monday. But you didn't know that until
you eliminate a lot of foods. You might tolerate dairy in
small amounts one day. That one time having a cup of
coffee with milk in it, you might be OK.
(13:34):
But having that two days in a row, then you may feel it that
day, the next day, or days later.
These reactions are often dose dependent, again trying one 2-3
days, but they build up quietly over time.
How food sensitivities contribute to bloating often
traces back to the gut lining. Your intestinal barrier is
designed to allow nutrients to pass through while keeping
larger, potentially reactive particles out.
(13:56):
When this lining becomes over porous, a condition sometimes
referred to as increased intestinal permeability or
popular name is leaky gut, partially digestive food
particles may enter the bloodstream.
This can trigger low grade immune reactions.
Common food triggers we see is gluten.
This could be wheat, barley, rye, dairy.
This could be casein, whey, lactose, eggs, corn or soy,
(14:21):
yeast, legumes like peanuts or lentils like tomatoes, potatoes,
Peppers, high FODMAP foods, onions, garlic, apples.
What complicates this picture further is many of these are
considered healthy foods. Yet for someone experiencing
immune reactivity, even kale or avocado could cause symptoms.
And I am one of those people. I seem to have a reactivity to
(14:44):
everything. Same for my daughter's too.
Same kind of issue. It's something healthy for one
is not healthy for the other. We found that with apples, with
somewhat blueberries, especiallywith those tomatoes, if you have
high histamine out there, potatoes, Peppers, onions,
garlic, apples, we would think an Apple's going to cause a
issue, but apple cause a lot of issue for a lot of people.
(15:08):
Food sensitivity symptoms may include bloating, gas or
digestive discomfort, Constipation or loose stools,
brain fog or mood swings, fatigue, skin flare ups, rashes,
sinus congestion, even joint stiffness.
But how many of these symptoms overlap with the other three
things we discussed already? Dysbiosis, placebo, all those.
(15:31):
But it overlaps with other things that are out there too,
such as certain thyroid issues, such as just general digestion
issues. Like a lot of these overlap.
That's why it's very important to functional lab test to
explore these immune responses and mindful objective, we use
functional lab testing. These tests don't diagnose the
disease, but it may provide insight to how your body reacts
(15:53):
to certain foods. IgG food map.
This is a blood test used here at my objective to explore
immune reactivity to over 190 foods and also yeast strain.
Another MRT, this is mediator release test assesses the
release of inflammatory mediators like histamine or
cytokines in response to foods and chemicals.
It's broader in scope and may beuseful in complex cases.
(16:16):
If significant reactivities are observed, individuals may follow
a short term elimination protocol, typically lasting four
to six weeks, to assess whether removing certain foods lead to
symptom improvement. During this period, emphasis is
placed on eating low reactive foods while supporting the gut
lining. And a lot of times when we run
food sensitivity test, people are very shocked at what they
(16:37):
are reactive to, even if they haven't ate it before or if they
eat it often. A lot of times you see that.
And you know what? I'm glad I ran this test.
Now I understand what I'm looking at.
I understand, I see it. So now I know to eliminate these
things. And after a few weeks, like we
say, always four to six weeks, could be 8 weeks, 12 weeks based
(16:57):
on your reactivity. But you eliminate these foods,
see if you feel better or you eat the foods low on the
reactivity list, you eat those, eliminate the higher medium high
ones and see how things go. A lot of times it improves
digestion. You start to feel better, less
bloating or just energy comes back.
Also commonly used nutrients to support gut health may include L
(17:18):
glutamine. This may help fuel intestinal
cells. Zinc used in some protocols to
support mucosal integrity. Quercetin may help calm immune
activity. DGL, licorice, aloe Vera,
another one being marshmallow root.
These are often used to promote digestive comfort.
Once inflammation suspected to be reduced, foods are gradually
(17:40):
reintroduced one at a time. We want to monitor for any
returning of symptoms. The end goal isn't lifelong
restriction but to build resilience so you can enjoy food
again. Food sensitivities may be linked
to deeper gut imbalances like dysbiosis, Siebel or intestinal
permeability. That's why these stool panels
and organic acid tests are oftenused alongside food sensitivity
(18:02):
testing to help complete the picture.
And I would say 99% of the timeswhen we run a food sensitivity
test, we always would like to run organic acid test.
Let's see what you have a reactivity to and what you do
not. And let's also see how your
body's digesting the different food where you are deficient
nutrients and go from there. It works hand in hand.
(18:24):
Organic acid test in a food sensitivity test.
If there's two tests out there, I would have you run right away.
It'd be those 2. Outside of running hormones and
that kind of lab work, it would be food sensitivity test, an
organic acid test. So if you're even clean but
still experiencing bloating, fatigue or brain fog, your body
may be reacting something on your plate.
Functional tests help provide helpful insights into potential
(18:47):
food triggers. And we ran and did a episode on
here. We talked to Geraldo and he was
shocked to see what he learned. But changing in that diet goes a
long way, changes how you feel and who you are.
It's amazing. That test, we covered bacteria,
enzymes and also food sensitivities.
But there's one other major reason people feel bloated all
(19:08):
the time, Sluggish digestion. This is often tied to that gut
motility. Motility refers to rhythmic
muscle contractions that move food through your digestive
tract in a small intestine. This motion is driven by the
migrating motor complex, MMC, which worked primarily between
meals. What's its job?
(19:29):
To clear out bacteria, food particles and waste.
Keeping your gut clean and your digestion efficient.
When this wave like movement slows down due to stress,
illness or hormonal shifts, digestion becomes delayed.
Food sits too long in the gut, fermentation begins where it
shouldn't, and gas builds up. This can leave you feeling
bloated, heavy, even distended, even if you didn't overeat.
(19:51):
Common signs of slow motility would be a bloating that worsens
as the day progresses, nausea inthe morning or after meals,
feeling overly full even after small meals, Constipation or
incomplete bowel movements, bad breath or a coated tongue,
fatigue or lack of appetite. Motility can be impacted by many
factors. One could be a thyroid function.
(20:13):
Low thyroid hormones may slow overall metabolism and this will
include digestion, chronic stress or trauma.
The vagus nerve, what's helped regulate digestion, can become
under active in times of prolonged emotional stress or
nervous system dysregulation. Another one would be electrolyte
imbalances. Minerals like magnesium,
potassium and sodium support muscular contractions, including
(20:35):
those in the gut. That's why we always say take
your electrolytes. Another one would be infections.
Post infectious IBS or past foodpoisoning may disrupt normal
nerve signaling and intestines. Also, bile flow issues.
Without adequate bile, fat digestion slows and stools can
become sticky or pale, delaying overall transit time.
(20:57):
Wondering if poor motility is affecting you?
Watch for symptoms like long gaps between meals without
hunger, bloating after meals, orfewer than one complete bowel
movements per day. From a functional testing
perspective, we use that GI MAP and GIFX stool test.
This may in offer insight into digestive enzyme levels,
microbiome patterns, and short change.
(21:19):
Fatty acid balance. The organic acid test.
This may show patterns related to bacterial overgrowth,
neurotransmitter precursors, andimpaired detoxification.
Thyroid panel including free T3 and reverse T3.
This can provide context of yourmetabolic function.
Supportive strategies we usuallytake here from motility is
stimulating that vagus nerve activities like gargling, cold
(21:42):
exposure, deep breathing or humming may help regulate
nervous system signals in the gut.
Magnesium forms like citrate or glycinate are commonly used to
support regularity and relaxation of the digestive
tract. Bitter herbs.
Ingredients such as genitine, dandelion and artichoke leaf are
traditionally used to stimulate bile flow and digestive
secretion. Prokinetic support.
(22:05):
This may include ginger 5 HTP orprofessional formulas out there.
In some cases, you may need to follow up with a medical
provider to get on certain medications.
Again, we work hand in hand withmedical providers.
It's not use us or use them, we work in conjunction.
Meal spacing, so leave between 3:00 to five hours between
(22:26):
meals. This may allow your MMC to
function more efficiently. Slow down thyroid and adrenal
considerations, and those would be nutrients like selenium, B
vitamins and zinc. These all play supportive roles
when including personal life Wellness plan.
Poor motility doesn't lead to just bloating.
It may contribute to other challenges like dysbiosis,
(22:47):
nutrient malabsorption, or even SIBO.
That's why strategies focus on balance and rhythm often go
further than symptom management alone.
If your digestion feels stuck orsluggish and your bloating
worsens as the day progresses, motility may be the missing
piece. How often do you hear that?
That's what we bring here, education to these different
(23:08):
topics. But you want to explore
digestive patterns, right? Testing options.
And you want those supportive strategies that could provide
more clarity. To wrap up this episode, let's
be clear. Bloating is a symptom.
It's not a diagnosis. If your belly feels swollen,
tight, or uncomfortable most days, it's time to stop masking
symptoms and start asking betterquestions.
(23:28):
From dysbiosis to SIBO to food sensitivities, poor stomach
acid, or even sluggish digestion, there's a reason
behind that bloat. At Mindful Objective, we offer
functional lab testing to uncover the root causes behind
chronic bloating. Personalized protocols restore
healthy digestion, microbiome balance, and motility.
(23:48):
Digestive support kits designed to support gut healing without
the guesswork. Is that a heavy metal detox?
Is that a functional medicine detox?
Is it a lab test? Is it a specific supplement?
We are here to help. So whether you've been dismissed
with the label IBS or told your labs are normal, you know
there's something off and you need deeper answers.
(24:08):
And that's what we're here for. But this episode resonated with
you. Send it to a friend or loved one
who's been silently suffering and visit mindfulobjective.com
to explore how we can help you uncover what your guts trying to
tell you. Reminder this podcast for
educational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat or
carry any illness or disease. Always consult your licensed
(24:30):
healthcare provider before making health decisions.
Thanks again for tuning in. Stay curious, stay grounded, and
stay well.
Welcome to Mindful Objective, the podcast that brings clarity
to chronic health issues and equips you with the integrative
tools designed for real, lastingtransformation.
I'm your host, doctor Daniel Sproule, integrative health
practitioner and professor, and today we're tackling one of the
most frustrating and widespread symptoms people experience.
This one is really common, bloating.
(00:21):
You eat clean, you take care of yourself, but your stomach keeps
blowing up like a balloon. In this episode, we'll break
down the top five root causes ofbloating, some of which your
doctor may have never mentioned to you.
If you're tired of guessing, frustrated with inconsistent
relief, or just want to understand your body better, you
know this one is for you. As always, this shows for
(00:43):
educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or
cure any illness or disease. So let's get into it.
So let's kick off this episode with the most common,
unappreciated reason for chronicbloating dysbiosis.
This is an imbalance between beneficial, neutral, and
potentially harmful organisms that reside in your digestive
(01:04):
tract. These organisms include
bacteria, fungi, viruses, and also some parasites.
When they're in balance, digestion tends to flow more
smoothly. When they're not, symptoms like
bloating, sluggishness, and inflammation often appear.
And this happens to quite a lot of people.
A lot of people I know I've beenthrough this millions of times,
(01:25):
still go from time to time. So it's real one that hits home
even for myself. Your gut is home to trillions of
microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiome, and this
ecosystem influences digestion, immune regulation, vitamin
sentences such as B12K2, inflammation, mood, and even
(01:46):
hormone balance. A disrupted microbiome can have
wide reaching effects across many parts of your body.
When the wrong types of microbesdominate or when beneficial
microbes are too low, food may not digest efficiently.
Fermentation of carbohydrates and fibers can happen in the
wrong place or too early, leading to production of gas,
(02:07):
hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide that becomes trapped and
causes distention and discomfort.
It's not a good feeling. People with dysbiosis may report
progressive bloating throughout the day, regular bowel habits,
excess gas, sugar cravings, skinirritation, brain fog, even mild
joint discomfort. Possible contributors can be
(02:29):
passed antibiotic use, diets high in processed foods, chronic
stress, low intake of fiber, food poisoning or infections,
environmental toxins, long term acid reducing medications.
Are you on a lot of PPI's? To explore these issues in
greater detail, some individualschoose functional lab testing.
This offers better insights not typically available through
(02:51):
conventional tests. Conventional meaning your
medical doctor. Two options commonly used in our
practice is AGI MAP which is a stool test.
This uses DNA analysis to evaluate bacteria, yeast and
also digestive markers. GI effects.
This is a broader panel that provides insight into digestion,
absorption, inflammation, and short change fatty acid
(03:14):
production. These tests may help uncover
microbiome balances, digestive patterns that are worth
exploring. Based on those findings, we may
recommend a personalized protocol, which could include
herbal support for microbiome balance, targeted probiotic or
prebiotic formulas, digestive enzymes, Nutrients that help
(03:36):
soothe and restore gut lining, such as L glutamine or zinc
carnosine. Another one we'll often do is a
food plan adjustments to reduce common irritants and support
microbial diversity. So unlike conventional medicine,
which often focuses on the symptom suppression, functional
strategies aim to support the body's natural balance and
function. Dysbiosis may not always appear
(03:57):
in standard lab work, which is why a comprehensive stool
analysis is often used when symptoms persist without clear
answers. If you've been experiencing
chronic bloating without relief,you may benefit from exploring
these functional tools. Everyone's gut microbiome is
unique, and with the right support, many individuals find
meaningful improvements in theirdigestive comfort and energy.
(04:18):
Let's talk about something that completely flips the script for
most people. Low stomach acid.
This says hypochloria. It's frequently overlooked
contributor to bloating, especially the type that occurs
shortly after meals, but it's often mistaken for the opposite
problem. That's because the symptom of
low stomach acid can resemble those of acid reflux, leading
many individuals to be prescribed acid suppressing
(04:40):
medications. Those PPI's, they may actually
worsen their digestion over time.
Your stomach is designed to be highly acidic, right?
Hydrochloric acid HCI that playsa vital role in breaking down
proteins, absorbing nutrients like iron and B12, and
stimulating bio and pancreatic enzyme release.
When acid levels are low, food may not fully breakdown.
(05:02):
Instead, it sits longer in the stomach, producing gas and
pressure that leads to upper GI.Bloating, belching and lingering
sense of fullness even after modest meals.
Some signs may include bloating shortly after eating, burping or
hiccups after meals, feeling full for hours after eating,
heartburn that persistent despite antacids, undigested
(05:23):
food particles and stool, weak nails or thinning hair, fatigue
after protein rich meals, low ferritin, and persistent iron
deficiencies. Aging is 1 possible factor.
By age 50, acid production can drop significantly.
But other contributors include chronic stress, eating too
quickly, nutrient deficiencies especially zinc and B vitamins,
(05:46):
and extended use of acid reducing medications.
And a lot of doctors have a lot of people on many acid reducing
medications without even checking stomach acid.
They happen to say all the time,hey, you haven't belching or
anything that's high stomach acid when in reality it may be
low stomach acid. But to explore this further,
functional lab testing may offerhelpful clues.
(06:07):
For example, the one we always talk on is the organic acid
test. This may show markers are
protein fermentation or nutrientimbalances.
A stool panel like GI MAP or GIFX may reflect digestive
enzyme insufficiencies, pH imbalances, or the presence of
microbial overgrowths that thrive in low acid environments.
If low stomach acid is suspected, herself will support
(06:29):
a strategies that may be considered under professional
guidance. Digestive bitters is 1.
These are plant based extracts that encourage natural secretion
of acid and enzymes. Apple cider vinegar This is a
popular one. It's a general pre meal tonic,
some used to support stomach acidity, Beta and HCI
supplements. These may help support acid
(06:50):
levels when used with protein containing meals.
Another one zinc, B12 and folate.
These are nutrients often involved in acid production and
general stomach function. And finally, mindful eating
habits. When you eat, slow down too
thoroughly. You want to activate your
parasympathetic nervous system before eating.
(07:11):
This will enhance your digestivenaturally.
So you want to support healthy stomach acid production.
This can improve things downstream, right?
That digestion. This will help your pancreas,
gallbladder, and small intestinework more efficiently.
When this process is compromised, they can set the
stage for other gut issues, including microbiome imbalance
and food reactivity. So addressing low stomach acid
(07:33):
again is not a quick fix, nor isit chasing the symptoms.
It's about supporting your body's natural digestive rhythm
so that food can be broken down efficiently and nutrients can be
properly absorbed. If you constantly feel bloated
after eating especially high protein meals, or if your
digestion feels sluggish, exploring stomach acid levels
through functional testing can be what your body needs.
(07:55):
If you are dealing with that bloating that worsens as a day
progresses, especially after meals, and nothing seems to
help, one potential contributor it could be is Siebel.
Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth.
Siebel is frequently undiagnosedand often mistaken for IBS, but
it's a distinct condition involving bacterial imbalances
in the small intestine. So here's how it works.
(08:16):
While the large intestine is home to trillions of bacteria
that assists with fiber breakdown and vitamin
production, the small intestine is meant to remain relatively
low in bacteria. It's a primary site for nutrient
absorption, and when bacteria from the colon begins to
colonize in a small intestine, they ferment carbohydrates too
early. This fermentation process
(08:36):
produces gas, hydrogen, methane,and hydrogen sulfide, leading to
common symptoms such as visible bloated belly by the evening,
cramping or discomfort after meals, excessive gas or
belching, regular bowel movements, appetite changes,
fatigue, and even brain fog. Because SIBO symptoms overlap
with dysbiosis, food intoleranceis an IBS testing can help
(08:59):
narrow it down to understand what actually is going on.
Elevated hydrogen or methane gasmay suggest the presence of
bacterial overgrowth in a small intestine.
These are generally three types of SIBO.
Hydrogen dominant. This is often associated with
diarrhea, urgency to go. Methane dominant or IMO.
This is usually linked to Constipation and slow motility.
(09:21):
Hydrogen sulfide. SIBO.
This can produce sulfur like symptoms and odor along with
bloating. SIBO may arise with a variety of
different triggers, prior food poisoning or GI infections,
surgeries or visions that impairmotility, long term use of acid
suppressing medications, hormoneshifts, thyroid disorders and
(09:44):
also autoimmune issues, chronic Constipation or high stress
levels. A functional approach we take is
a multi layered strategy, so microbial support protocols.
These are usually herbal ingredients like berberine,
oregano oil and neem. These are sometimes used in
supportive strategies aimed to reducing bacterial overgrowth.
(10:05):
Then we have motility support. Compounds such as ginger bitters
and proto kinetics are used to help encourage regular digestive
movement. Then we have nutritional shifts,
maybe that low FODMAP diet or SIBO specific food plans.
This may temporarily reduce fermentable carbohydrate intake
while other support is put in place.
(10:25):
Then gut lining and microbiome care.
Some individuals may support from probiotics when used
cautiously, digestive enzymes and compounds like L glutamine,
slippery Elm, or marshmallow root to support mucosal health.
Additional functional lab tests can provide context.
GI map or that GI effects may reveal enzyme levels,
(10:46):
inflammation, microbiome imbalances.
Organic acid test. This can highlight fermentation
markers or nutrient depletion, thyroid and adrenal panels.
These may uncover systematic contributors to poor motility.
SIBO is complex, can be very complex, and may return if root
contributors like stress, slow motility or diet aren't
(11:06):
addressed. It's not an easy fix.
Why? Working with a knowledgeable
practitioner can tailor lab interpretations and protocols to
your unique Physiology. This is very essential, right?
Each person's different, so justagain, what works for one may
not work for the other. It's a slow process, but we're
here to help. If you experience that
persistent bloating, increasing discomfort throughout the day,
(11:30):
or symptoms that haven't resolved despite probiotics or
gut friendly foods, SIBO might be worth exploring.
We're on to #4 bloating isn't always caused by bacteria or
digestive enzymes. Sometimes the discomfort is
rooted in how your immune systemreacts to certain foods.
This is a common one we touched on many times.
(11:52):
One potential contributor to unexplained bloating is food
sensitivities, which differ significantly from food
allergies. So let's clarify the distinction
because I think a lot of people still get this confused.
Food allergies are immediate immune responses mediated by
Ige. As an Edward Ige antibodies,
(12:12):
they can trigger reaction such as hives, throat swallowing, or
anaphylactis. In contrast, food sensitivities
often involve IgG antibodies. I say that slow so people don't
confuse the two. Ige is food allergy, IgG is the
antibodies. So in contrast, food
(12:33):
sensitivities often involve IgG antibodies and take hours or can
take 345 days before it even produces symptoms.
This delay makes them tricky to detect without support.
You can have the option to do anelimination diet, but who has
weeks, months to eliminate foodsand know what they eliminated
(12:53):
and what they actually took in? You can do that elimination
diet, but you have to really strictly keep track of your food
and your liquid intake and eliminate based on what you had
and what you didn't have and obviously keep track of that and
see how things go later on. But the better solution would be
we're on a food sensitivity test.
(13:13):
So you might eat eggs on a Monday, feel bloated on Tuesday
without realizing a connection. Or you might eat those eggs on a
Monday. You don't feel fully bad until
Thursday or Friday, and then yourealize, oh man, that was
something I eat Monday. But you didn't know that until
you eliminate a lot of foods. You might tolerate dairy in
small amounts one day. That one time having a cup of
coffee with milk in it, you might be OK.
(13:34):
But having that two days in a row, then you may feel it that
day, the next day, or days later.
These reactions are often dose dependent, again trying one 2-3
days, but they build up quietly over time.
How food sensitivities contribute to bloating often
traces back to the gut lining. Your intestinal barrier is
designed to allow nutrients to pass through while keeping
larger, potentially reactive particles out.
(13:56):
When this lining becomes over porous, a condition sometimes
referred to as increased intestinal permeability or
popular name is leaky gut, partially digestive food
particles may enter the bloodstream.
This can trigger low grade immune reactions.
Common food triggers we see is gluten.
This could be wheat, barley, rye, dairy.
This could be casein, whey, lactose, eggs, corn or soy,
(14:21):
yeast, legumes like peanuts or lentils like tomatoes, potatoes,
Peppers, high FODMAP foods, onions, garlic, apples.
What complicates this picture further is many of these are
considered healthy foods. Yet for someone experiencing
immune reactivity, even kale or avocado could cause symptoms.
And I am one of those people. I seem to have a reactivity to
(14:44):
everything. Same for my daughter's too.
Same kind of issue. It's something healthy for one
is not healthy for the other. We found that with apples, with
somewhat blueberries, especiallywith those tomatoes, if you have
high histamine out there, potatoes, Peppers, onions,
garlic, apples, we would think an Apple's going to cause a
issue, but apple cause a lot of issue for a lot of people.
(15:08):
Food sensitivity symptoms may include bloating, gas or
digestive discomfort, Constipation or loose stools,
brain fog or mood swings, fatigue, skin flare ups, rashes,
sinus congestion, even joint stiffness.
But how many of these symptoms overlap with the other three
things we discussed already? Dysbiosis, placebo, all those.
(15:31):
But it overlaps with other things that are out there too,
such as certain thyroid issues, such as just general digestion
issues. Like a lot of these overlap.
That's why it's very important to functional lab test to
explore these immune responses and mindful objective, we use
functional lab testing. These tests don't diagnose the
disease, but it may provide insight to how your body reacts
(15:53):
to certain foods. IgG food map.
This is a blood test used here at my objective to explore
immune reactivity to over 190 foods and also yeast strain.
Another MRT, this is mediator release test assesses the
release of inflammatory mediators like histamine or
cytokines in response to foods and chemicals.
It's broader in scope and may beuseful in complex cases.
(16:16):
If significant reactivities are observed, individuals may follow
a short term elimination protocol, typically lasting four
to six weeks, to assess whether removing certain foods lead to
symptom improvement. During this period, emphasis is
placed on eating low reactive foods while supporting the gut
lining. And a lot of times when we run
food sensitivity test, people are very shocked at what they
(16:37):
are reactive to, even if they haven't ate it before or if they
eat it often. A lot of times you see that.
And you know what? I'm glad I ran this test.
Now I understand what I'm looking at.
I understand, I see it. So now I know to eliminate these
things. And after a few weeks, like we
say, always four to six weeks, could be 8 weeks, 12 weeks based
(16:57):
on your reactivity. But you eliminate these foods,
see if you feel better or you eat the foods low on the
reactivity list, you eat those, eliminate the higher medium high
ones and see how things go. A lot of times it improves
digestion. You start to feel better, less
bloating or just energy comes back.
Also commonly used nutrients to support gut health may include L
(17:18):
glutamine. This may help fuel intestinal
cells. Zinc used in some protocols to
support mucosal integrity. Quercetin may help calm immune
activity. DGL, licorice, aloe Vera,
another one being marshmallow root.
These are often used to promote digestive comfort.
Once inflammation suspected to be reduced, foods are gradually
(17:40):
reintroduced one at a time. We want to monitor for any
returning of symptoms. The end goal isn't lifelong
restriction but to build resilience so you can enjoy food
again. Food sensitivities may be linked
to deeper gut imbalances like dysbiosis, Siebel or intestinal
permeability. That's why these stool panels
and organic acid tests are oftenused alongside food sensitivity
(18:02):
testing to help complete the picture.
And I would say 99% of the timeswhen we run a food sensitivity
test, we always would like to run organic acid test.
Let's see what you have a reactivity to and what you do
not. And let's also see how your
body's digesting the different food where you are deficient
nutrients and go from there. It works hand in hand.
(18:24):
Organic acid test in a food sensitivity test.
If there's two tests out there, I would have you run right away.
It'd be those 2. Outside of running hormones and
that kind of lab work, it would be food sensitivity test, an
organic acid test. So if you're even clean but
still experiencing bloating, fatigue or brain fog, your body
may be reacting something on your plate.
Functional tests help provide helpful insights into potential
(18:47):
food triggers. And we ran and did a episode on
here. We talked to Geraldo and he was
shocked to see what he learned. But changing in that diet goes a
long way, changes how you feel and who you are.
It's amazing. That test, we covered bacteria,
enzymes and also food sensitivities.
But there's one other major reason people feel bloated all
(19:08):
the time, Sluggish digestion. This is often tied to that gut
motility. Motility refers to rhythmic
muscle contractions that move food through your digestive
tract in a small intestine. This motion is driven by the
migrating motor complex, MMC, which worked primarily between
meals. What's its job?
(19:29):
To clear out bacteria, food particles and waste.
Keeping your gut clean and your digestion efficient.
When this wave like movement slows down due to stress,
illness or hormonal shifts, digestion becomes delayed.
Food sits too long in the gut, fermentation begins where it
shouldn't, and gas builds up. This can leave you feeling
bloated, heavy, even distended, even if you didn't overeat.
(19:51):
Common signs of slow motility would be a bloating that worsens
as the day progresses, nausea inthe morning or after meals,
feeling overly full even after small meals, Constipation or
incomplete bowel movements, bad breath or a coated tongue,
fatigue or lack of appetite. Motility can be impacted by many
factors. One could be a thyroid function.
(20:13):
Low thyroid hormones may slow overall metabolism and this will
include digestion, chronic stress or trauma.
The vagus nerve, what's helped regulate digestion, can become
under active in times of prolonged emotional stress or
nervous system dysregulation. Another one would be electrolyte
imbalances. Minerals like magnesium,
potassium and sodium support muscular contractions, including
(20:35):
those in the gut. That's why we always say take
your electrolytes. Another one would be infections.
Post infectious IBS or past foodpoisoning may disrupt normal
nerve signaling and intestines. Also, bile flow issues.
Without adequate bile, fat digestion slows and stools can
become sticky or pale, delaying overall transit time.
(20:57):
Wondering if poor motility is affecting you?
Watch for symptoms like long gaps between meals without
hunger, bloating after meals, orfewer than one complete bowel
movements per day. From a functional testing
perspective, we use that GI MAP and GIFX stool test.
This may in offer insight into digestive enzyme levels,
microbiome patterns, and short change.
(21:19):
Fatty acid balance. The organic acid test.
This may show patterns related to bacterial overgrowth,
neurotransmitter precursors, andimpaired detoxification.
Thyroid panel including free T3 and reverse T3.
This can provide context of yourmetabolic function.
Supportive strategies we usuallytake here from motility is
stimulating that vagus nerve activities like gargling, cold
(21:42):
exposure, deep breathing or humming may help regulate
nervous system signals in the gut.
Magnesium forms like citrate or glycinate are commonly used to
support regularity and relaxation of the digestive
tract. Bitter herbs.
Ingredients such as genitine, dandelion and artichoke leaf are
traditionally used to stimulate bile flow and digestive
secretion. Prokinetic support.
(22:05):
This may include ginger 5 HTP orprofessional formulas out there.
In some cases, you may need to follow up with a medical
provider to get on certain medications.
Again, we work hand in hand withmedical providers.
It's not use us or use them, we work in conjunction.
Meal spacing, so leave between 3:00 to five hours between
(22:26):
meals. This may allow your MMC to
function more efficiently. Slow down thyroid and adrenal
considerations, and those would be nutrients like selenium, B
vitamins and zinc. These all play supportive roles
when including personal life Wellness plan.
Poor motility doesn't lead to just bloating.
It may contribute to other challenges like dysbiosis,
(22:47):
nutrient malabsorption, or even SIBO.
That's why strategies focus on balance and rhythm often go
further than symptom management alone.
If your digestion feels stuck orsluggish and your bloating
worsens as the day progresses, motility may be the missing
piece. How often do you hear that?
That's what we bring here, education to these different
(23:08):
topics. But you want to explore
digestive patterns, right? Testing options.
And you want those supportive strategies that could provide
more clarity. To wrap up this episode, let's
be clear. Bloating is a symptom.
It's not a diagnosis. If your belly feels swollen,
tight, or uncomfortable most days, it's time to stop masking
symptoms and start asking betterquestions.
(23:28):
From dysbiosis to SIBO to food sensitivities, poor stomach
acid, or even sluggish digestion, there's a reason
behind that bloat. At Mindful Objective, we offer
functional lab testing to uncover the root causes behind
chronic bloating. Personalized protocols restore
healthy digestion, microbiome balance, and motility.
(23:48):
Digestive support kits designed to support gut healing without
the guesswork. Is that a heavy metal detox?
Is that a functional medicine detox?
Is it a lab test? Is it a specific supplement?
We are here to help. So whether you've been dismissed
with the label IBS or told your labs are normal, you know
there's something off and you need deeper answers.
(24:08):
And that's what we're here for. But this episode resonated with
you. Send it to a friend or loved one
who's been silently suffering and visit mindfulobjective.com
to explore how we can help you uncover what your guts trying to
tell you. Reminder this podcast for
educational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat or
carry any illness or disease. Always consult your licensed
(24:30):
healthcare provider before making health decisions.
Thanks again for tuning in. Stay curious, stay grounded, and
stay well.
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