Love Your Gut

If you’ve treated SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) before and either nothing changed… or things got worse… this episode is for you!Because what if it’s not just bacterial overgrowth?In this episode of the Love Your Gut podcast, Dr. Heather Finley breaks down one of the most overlooked reasons women stay stuck with bloating, food reactions, sugar cravings, and “gut protocols” that never seem to fully work: SIFO, or small intestinal fungal overgrowthYou’ll learn why SIFO can look a lot like SIBO, why it’s often missed, and why repeated antibiotics, low stomach acid, restrictive diets, and chronic stress can all create the kind of environment where fungal overgrowth can thrive.Loved this episode?If this episode gave you a new perspective on your symptoms, make sure to: Subscribe to the Love Your Gut podcast  Leave a rating + review (we pick a winner every month to win a free HTMA bundle. Simply screenshot your review and email to happygut@drheatherfinley.co) Share it with a friend who’s been told “it’s just SIBO” SIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

If you’ve ever been told you have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and immediately felt overwhelmed by what to do next, this episode is for you. Because while a diagnosis can feel like a relief after being told “everything is normal,” it often leads to more confusion: antibiotics, elimination diets, supplements… and still no clear plan. In this episode, Dr. Heather is breaking down what actually matters after a SIBO diagnosis and why so many people stay stuck in the cycle of temporary relief and recurring symptoms.We’re shifting the focus away from just “killing bacteria” and toward understanding why the overgrowth happened in the first place, so you can take a more strategic, sustainable approach to healing.You’ll learn: • The biggest mistake people make right after a SIBO diagnosis • Why antibiotics alone often don’t prevent SIBO from coming back • The different types of SIBO and why that changes treatment • How restrictive diets can keep you stuck longer than you think • The key systems that need to be supported for lasting resultsSIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

Low ferritin and digestive issues like SIBO are often treated as completely separate problems. One is considered a blood lab issue, the other a gut issue. But clinically, these two patterns frequently overlap. Many people struggling with SIBO, bloating, or constipation also find their ferritin stays stubbornly low despite taking iron supplements or increasing iron-rich foods. In this episode, we unpack how digestion, the microbiome, stomach acid, and inflammation can all influence iron absorption and regulation. When you understand that all of your symptoms are connected by shared underlying root causes the path forward becomes clearer!In this episode, we discuss:Why ferritin sometimes stays low even when you are taking iron supplementsWhere iron absorption actually occurs in the digestive systemHow bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can interfere with nutrient absorptionThe role inflammation and hepcidin play in regulating iron levelsWhy low stomach acid can contribute to both SIBO and poor iron absorptionEmerging research around hydrogen sulfide SIBO and mineral metabolismThe clinical patterns we often see in clients with both digestive issues and low ferritinIf you’ve ever wondered why your iron levels don’t seem to improve despite doing everything “right,” this episode will help you start connecting the dots.SIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

Protein is one of the most talked-about nutrients right now, but the conversation often misses the bigger picture. In this episode, Dr. Heather sits down with registered dietitian, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of Rachael’s Good Eats, Rachael DeVaux, to talk about why protein matters for far more than muscle building.They break down how protein impacts blood sugar, digestion, cravings, and energy throughout the day and why so many women are unintentionally under-eating it. Rachael also shares practical strategies for building satisfying meals, reducing the 3PM crash, and supporting gut health without restrictive dieting or complicated tracking.If you’ve ever felt tired in the afternoon, constantly hungry between meals, or unsure how to actually eat enough protein without feeling overly full, this conversation will give you a simple place to start.In this episode, we cover:• Why many women are unknowingly under-eating protein• The connection between protein, blood sugar stability, and digestion• What the 3PM energy crash may be telling you about your meals• Why eating substantial meals can support gut motility and reduce bloating• How protein and fiber work together to support gut health• Practical ways to increase protein without feeling heavy or overwhelmed• Simple breakfast ideas that can stabilize energy for the entire day• Why reducing food stress can improve digestion and overall healthRachael also shares some of her favorite quick recipes from her new cookbook The High-Protein Plate, along with realistic tips for busy families who want nourishing meals without spending hours in the kitchen.Resources Mentioned: Rachael’s new cookbook: The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday RecipesFollow Rachael on InstagramVisit her websiteSIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

Have you ever said, “My stomach has never been the same since that trip…” or that questionable BBQ, honeymoon, or random meal that left you sick for days?Food poisoning isn’t always something you “just get over.” For many people, it’s the starting point of long-term bloating, urgency, constipation, food sensitivities, and anxiety around eating.In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down why post-infectious IBS accounts for a significant percentage of IBS cases and how an acute infection can disrupt gut motility, immune signaling, stomach acid, bile flow, and mineral balance long after the initial illness passes.If you’ve been stuck in cycles of low FODMAP, antimicrobials, probiotics, and still feel six months pregnant by 5pm… this conversation will connect the dots.In This Episode, We Cover:The research behind post-infectious IBS and how food poisoning triggers long-term gut dysfunctionHow bacteria like Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella can disrupt motilityWhat happens to the migrating motor complex after infectionWhy bloating, SIBO, constipation, or diarrhea can linger for yearsThe role of stomach acid, bile flow, minerals, and the nervous system in recoveryWhat to do during acute food poisoningWhat to evaluate if symptoms are still present months (or years) laterIf you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with someone whose gut has never quite been the same.SIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

You started magnesium for constipation. It worked.And then… it didn’t.Now you’re increasing the dose, relying on it nightly, and wondering why your body won’t cooperate.Here’s the truth: if magnesium stopped working, it’s not because you need more of it.Magnesium can support bowel movements. But it doesn’t fix the reason your system slowed down in the first place.In this episode, I break down:• What magnesium actually does (and what it doesn’t)• The mineral patterns I see when it “stops working”• Why potassium, bile flow, and stress matter more than you think• How you can poop daily and still be constipated• What actually restores long-term rhythm instead of relying on stimulationConstipation is rarely just a colon issue. It’s often a top-down digestion issue.If you’re tired of bandaids and want a personalized, step-by-step plan to restore your digestion from the root, this is exactly the work we do inside gutTogether.SIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

If you’re constipated… and your ferritin won’t improve… this episode is for you.Constipation isn’t just uncomfortable, it's often a sign that your digestive system, minerals, and stress response are all under strain, and when that happens, iron can be one of the first things to stall.In this episode, I connect the dots between:ConstipationFatigueLow ferritinSlow stomach acidMineral depletionSluggish bile flowStress (both internal and external)Because ferritin doesn’t improve just because you take iron.Ferritin improves when the whole system improves.If iron has made you feel worse…If your ferritin only improves while supplementing…If you’re bloated, sluggish, and exhausted despite “normal labs”…This conversation will make things click.In This Episode, We Cover:Why low stomach acid affects both iron and B12How slow motility disrupts iron recyclingWhy constipation isn’t a side effect, it’s a signalThe connection between bile flow, SIBO, and iron storageHow mineral depletion makes iron harder to tolerateWhy stress shifts your body out of storage mode🎁 Giveaway AnnouncementTo celebrate this being the 100th episode and our upcoming live training, I’m doing a giveaway!One listener will win a free Lume Box! This is my favorite red light therapy device I use every day! Here’s how to enter:1️⃣ Listen to this episode2️⃣ Leave a rating and review 3️⃣ Screenshot your review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [100th giveaway] as the subject line--> Bonus entries for sharing the podcast and tagging @drheatherfinley on Instagram The winner will be announced on next weeks podcast! SIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

A personal postpartum ferritin journey that reveals why simply taking iron can fail or cause worse symptoms. A systems view explores how digestion, motility, mineral balance, and liver function control iron use and storage. Constipation and slow transit are framed as key clues. Practical triggers for when low ferritin is a signal rather than the root problem.

If you’re wondering whether food sensitivity testing will finally explain your bloating, constipation, or GI reactions, this episode is for you. We talk through why food sensitivity lists often keep growing, what those results are actually reflecting, and why eliminating more foods doesn’t always lead to lasting relief. You’ll learn how digestion, stress, and immune signaling influence food reactions, why many people feel worse after doing “everything right,” and what question to ask instead if you want real progress.If you have ever been curious about food sensitivity testing and what it actually measures or shows related to your gut health, make sure to listen in! In this episode, Dr. Heather covers:Should you do food sensitivity testing to fix bloating and GI issues?Why “safe food” lists often keep shrinkingWhat food reactions can signal beyond the food itselfWhy cutting out more foods doesn’t always improve digestionWhat to focus on if food sensitivity testing hasn’t helpedSIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month! 

Let's be real: eating healthy was the answer, you’d already have relief from your bloating and constipaiton. Most of the women we work with are already doing the “right” things including: eating whole foods, avoiding junk, taking supplements, and yet, they are still dealing with bloating, constipation, and a gut that feels unpredictable.In this episode, I break down why that happens and what’s actually missing.You’ll learn why clean eating alone doesn't fix GI issues, how mineral depletion quietly impacts digestion and stress tolerance, why healthy foods can feel worse when digestion is weak, and how stress, gut bacteria, and infections can all interfere with your ability to absorb and tolerate food.This episode is especially for you if:You feel worse eating “healthy” foodsYour symptoms flare on busy or stressful daysYou’ve been told your labs are normal, but you don’t feel normalYou’re tired of guessing and piecing things togetherConnect + Next StepsCurious what’s actually driving your symptoms?Take the free 2-minute Gut Root Cause QuizWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow along on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®SIBO won't go away? Join my training on March 29th and I will teach you exactly why your SIBO keeps coming back and what to do next Save your seat hereConnect + Next StepsWant daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?Follow Dr. Heather on InstagramReady for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?Apply for gutTogether®Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!