Love Your Gut

Fibermaxxing is the latest wellness Tik Tok trend which involves loading up on beans, seeds, and high-fiber foods in the name of better gut health. But is more fiber always better?For some, adding fiber means smoother digestion, steadier blood sugar, and more energy. For others, it leads to gas, constipation, or bloating that only gets worse. So what’s the truth?In this episode of the Love Your Gut podcast, Dr. Heather breaks down what fibermaxxing gets right, what it gets wrong, and how to eat fiber in a way your gut can actually handle. You’ll learn:Why fiber is suddenly trending (and why most people don’t get enough)What the largest gut health study says about dietary diversity and your microbiomeThe “Fiber Ladder” approach to increase intake without feeling miserableA simple breakdown of fiber types: soluble, insoluble, prebiotic, resistant starch, and polyphenolsWhy you might feel worse when you cut out fiber (and what that really means about your gut)A practical meal framework (PFCC: protein, fat, fiber, color) to use dailyResources & Next Steps:Read the blog with fiber resources Apply for gutTogether® VIP for customized supportStart with a Gut Health Audit if you want a personalized assessmentStay connected:Instagram: @drheatherfinley

Have you been told “everything looks normal” on your labs, scopes, or bloodwork but you still feel bloated, constipated, or exhausted? You’re not alone.In this episode of the Love Your Gut Podcast, I’m breaking down why the GI-Map stool test can be a game-changer when all your other results come back “normal.” You’ll learn what the test measures, why it’s different from standard stool testing, and how it connects the dots between gut function, hormones, immune health, and energy.We’ll cover:What the GI-Map actually measures (and why it’s more than just “yes/no” for parasites or infections)The most common hesitations about stool testing and why they’re valid but often keep people stuckWhy I often prefer the GI-Map over SIBO testing as a first stepReal client examples of how GI-Map results explained years of frustrating symptomsWho benefits most from this test (hint: if you’ve been told everything is fine but you don’t feel fine, this is for you)If you’ve been living in the “everything is normal” camp but know in your gut something’s off, this episode will help you understand whether a GI-Map is the right next step.Links & Resources👉 Follow me on Instagram👉 Book a Gut Health Audit: get my eyes on your case and I'll provide you with where the gaps are and exactly what your next steps should be! 👉 Apply for gutTogether VIP: Ready for the most comprehensive support? gutTogether® is our signature 6 month program (which includes GI Map testing)👉 Compare our gut health programs

In this engaging talk, Michelle Shapiro, a functional registered dietitian with a focus on complex health issues, reveals the often-misunderstood connections between histamine intolerance, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and gut health. She shares her personal journey with these challenges, discusses the diverse symptoms they can cause, and warns against aggressive treatment protocols. Michelle emphasizes the importance of nervous system support and practical steps for those suspecting histamine issues, making it a must-listen for anyone on a healing journey.

Have you ever told yourself, “It’s not that bad , I’ll deal with it later” when it comes to your gut symptoms (or anything?)?I get it because I did the same thing. For years, I brushed off my bloating, constipation, and fatigue, hoping they’d go away. But ignoring those whispers from my gut eventually led to bigger problems: SIBO, Hashimoto’s, a slowed metabolism, and histamine issues.Here’s the truth: your symptoms aren’t random. They’re signals & your gut waving a red flag asking for support. When you ignore them, they snowball into more complicated issues that are harder (and more expensive) to fix down the road.In this episode, I’m sharing:How ignoring “small” gut symptoms can turn into bigger health issuesThe snowball effect of reflux, constipation, bloating, and diarrheaWhy functional medicine isn’t just about supplementsMy personal journey of what happened when I didn’t listen to my gutWhy your symptoms are signals, not something to fearAnd for the very first time, I’m offering something brand new: the Gut Health Audit.👉 This is the most affordable way to get eyes on your case! Just $89! You’ll complete a comprehensive intake form, and I’ll personally review it to identify the gaps in your care, highlight patterns, and share your next steps. Whether that’s with us in gutTogether® or something totally different, you’ll finally have clarity on what to do next.But spots are limited, only 20 spots are available (and as a podcast listener you're the first to hear about it!)Connect with Dr. Heather InstagramgutTogether program website 

Feeling stuck in your gut healing journey? Discover why eating the same 5-10 foods can lead to issues like dysbiosis. Uncover how mineral depletion affects energy and hormone balance. Learn about the role of low stomach acid and enzymes in triggering infections. Delve into how nervous system health impacts digestion and constipation. Plus, get practical tips on improving your gut health today. These essential strategies can be the missing pieces you've been searching for!

Have you ever tried a “Candida diet” or an antifungal supplement only to find yourself right back where you started? You’re not alone.In this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about Candida overgrowth and why diet or antifungals alone don’t solve the problem. Candida isn’t something you can just starve or kill into submission, the real key is fixing the terrain that allowed it to grow in the first place.In this episode I cover: Why Candida is part of a normal gut microbiome (and when it becomes a problem)Myths that keep people stuck like “starving Candida” with diet or relying on antifungalsThe real root causes of Candida overgrowth, including blood sugar imbalances and depleted commensalsWhy Candida is so hard to detect on stool testing and other testing optionsPractical strategies to support digestion, motility, and minerals so Candida doesn’t keep coming backWhether you’ve struggled with Candida symptoms for years or you’re a practitioner supporting clients, this episode will help you shift from the endless Candida-killing cycle to building a resilient gut terrain.💡 Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:Take the free "Why Am I Bloated" Quiz Learn more about gutPractitioner™: my 4-month mentorship for dietitians and health professionalsConnect with me on Instagram @drheatherfinley

You’ve done the SIBO antibiotics. Maybe even two or three times. But you’re still bloated, still stuck on five “safe” foods, and wondering… “Why isn’t this working?”In the final episode of this SIBO mini-series, Dr. Heather shares 3 real client stories that show that SIBO recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Each client had the same diagnosis on paper, but needed a completely different plan to actually feel better.If you’ve been told “you’re fine” despite ongoing symptoms, or you’re burnt out from restrictive protocols that go nowhere, this episode is your reminder: there’s a better way.You’ll learn:✔️ Why killing bacteria isn’t enough—and what to do instead✔️ How mineral depletion, bile flow, and scar tissue can stall healing✔️ What true gut repair looks like after a SIBO protocol✔️ The difference between managing symptoms and rebuilding resilience✔️ Why your recovery plan should start with you, not the diagnosisIf these stories resonate, you’re not alone, and there is hope for healing. Resources & Links:🔍 Take the Free Gut Health Quiz to start identifying your root causes 📝 Apply for 1:1 support through gutTogether®📲 Connect with Dr. Heather on Instagram🎁 Special Giveaway: Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify, screenshot it, and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST RATING] in the subject line. You'll be entered to win a FREE HTMA test + consult package! (We pick a new winner every month!) 

If you’ve ever been told your only options for a thyroid condition are medication, surgery, radioactive iodine, or a restrictive diet… this conversation will open your eyes to what’s possible when you focus on root causes.I’m joined by Dr. Eric Osansky, a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and certified functional medicine practitioner who reversed his own Graves disease naturally and has been helping clients do the same since 2009. We’re sharing both sides of the thyroid spectrum: Dr. Eric’s journey with hyperthyroidism and my own with Hashimoto’s, plus the powerful gut–thyroid connection that changed everything for us.You’ll hear:Why gut health is central to thyroid autoimmunityThe most common gut-related triggers for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidismHow herbs like bugleweed and motherwort can support hyperthyroid symptomsThe role of stress, adrenal health, and lifestyle foundations in recoveryHow functional testing (like stool testing, adrenal testing, and HTMA) can uncover the real drivers of your symptoms Listen to part 1 of this episode on Dr. Eric's podcast here! Connect with Dr. EricDr. Eric's WebsiteDr. Eric's NewsletterDr. Eric's BooksStay Connected with Dr. Heather & team Dr. Heather's Website Dr. Heather's Instagram Help others find the podcast and win a free HTMA test + consult!If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and review on your favorite podcast app. It helps more people find the show and get the support they need.🎁 As a thank you, you’ll be entered to win a free HTMA test and consult with our team! Here’s how:Leave a rating and review.Take a screenshot.Email it to support@drheatherfinley.co.We choose a winner every month!

You finished your SIBO treatment, so why are you still bloated, reactive, and stuck eating five foods?In this episode of Love Your Gut, Dr. Heather shares what no one talks about after the “kill phase” of SIBO recovery ends. If you’ve tried antibiotics or antimicrobials, followed a low-FODMAP diet, and still don’t feel like yourself, it’s not because you failed. It’s because true healing happens in Phase 2: the rebuilding phase.You’ll learn how to make your gut resilient again through food, lifestyle, digestion support, and terrain repair.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why symptoms often return post-SIBO treatment (and why that’s not a failure)How to repair your gut lining to reduce food reactivityStep-by-step guidance for reintroducing foods safely and strategicallyThe truth about North-to-South digestion and what it means for motilityHow simple lifestyle shifts like sunlight, walking, and breathwork change the gut terrainThe difference between healing and just treatingResources & LinksTake the Free "Why am I Bloated?" Quiz and identify what’s driving your symptoms (takes 2 minutes and gives you an action plan!) Apply for 1:1 support through gutTogether® Connect with Dr. Heather on InstagramWin a Free HTMA Test + Consult with the gutTogether® team! We’d love your help spreading the word!Leave a quick rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, screenshot it, and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST RATING] in the subject line.You’ll be entered to win a free HTMA package (includes test + 1:1 results session)!📌 Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss Part 4, where Dr. Heather shares real client recovery stories and what finally made the difference when nothing else had.Ask ChatGPT