Why It’s Not Just the Food: What Your Gut Is Trying to Tell You

If you’ve found yourself in an endless cycle of cutting out foods — gluten, dairy, FODMAPs, nightshades, and more — only to still feel bloated, inflamed, or breaking out… you’re not alone.

In clinic, I see women who’ve spent years trying to “clean up” their diets in the name of skin healing. And while food matters, it’s not always the culprit. Often, the issue isn’t what you’re eating — it’s what’s going on underneath.

Because the food isn’t the problem.
It’s the environment the food is going into.
And that environment? Is your gut.

The Elimination Diet Trap

Elimination diets can be useful — temporarily. They’re often recommended to help identify sensitivities or calm symptoms in the short term. But when they become a long-term solution or a default approach to every flare, they can do more harm than good.

Many women come to me having eliminated so many foods that eating becomes stressful. Their gut feels just as reactive, their skin hasn’t improved, and they’re left wondering what’s actually going on.

Here’s the truth: Restricting food won’t fix a gut that’s inflamed, unbalanced, or under-functioning. We need to look deeper.

What a Reactive Gut Can Actually Mean

When your gut is struggling, it sends signals — skin flares, bloating, fatigue, constipation, anxiety, food sensitivities.

But it’s not trying to punish you. It’s trying to ask for support.

Here’s what might really be happening beneath the surface:

Poor digestive function

Low stomach acid or enzyme output can mean even healthy foods aren’t broken down properly — leading to fermentation, bloating, and reactivity.

Leaky gut

Increased intestinal permeability allows particles to escape into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses, inflammation, and skin issues like acne or eczema.

Microbial imbalances

An overgrowth of bad bacteria (or a lack of beneficial strains) can affect nutrient absorption, mood, and immune responses — all of which impact skin health.

Nervous system stress

If your body is constantly in fight-or-flight, it deprioritises digestion. Food becomes harder to process, and your gut lining loses the safety it needs to function well.

Why We Focus on Gut Repair (Not Just What to Eat)

That’s why Layer 3 of The Holistic Skin Healing Method is all about gut repair — not restriction. Before we label a food as “bad,” we look at what’s making your gut so reactive in the first place.

Here’s how we approach gut healing:

1. Calm inflammation

We use herbal support, therapeutic foods, and nervous system tools to reduce gut inflammation and irritation.

2. Support digestion

Simple practices like chewing thoroughly, eating without distraction, and incorporating bitters can radically improve how your body processes food.

3. Rebuild the gut lining

We focus on nutrients that restore gut integrity — like zinc, glutamine, collagen, and anti-inflammatory omega-3s.

4. Rebalance the microbiome

This may involve prebiotics, targeted probiotics, or antimicrobial herbs — depending on what’s really going on (which is where testing can help).

When to Consider Functional Gut Testing

If you’ve already tried diet changes, supplements, or protocols and still feel stuck, gut testing can be a game-changer.

Through a simple at-home stool test, we can assess:

• Gut bacteria balance (both beneficial and opportunistic strains)

• Markers of inflammation and immune function

• Presence of parasites, yeasts, or pathogens

• Digestive enzyme levels

• Short-chain fatty acid production

• Leaky gut markers

With this information, we can stop guessing — and start healing with clarity.

What You Can Do Today

If food is feeling confusing or overwhelming, start here:

✔️ Slow down and chew your food (20–30 times per bite)
✔️ Avoid eating while scrolling or multitasking
✔️ Add warm, cooked meals to support digestion
✔️ Sip bitter teas (like dandelion or ginger) before meals
✔️ Focus on nourishment, not restriction

And if you’re still experiencing persistent symptoms — your gut may need deeper support.

Final Thoughts

Your gut is not the enemy. It’s your greatest ally — and it’s trying to get your attention.

By shifting the focus from elimination to repair, you give your body the safety and support it needs to digest, absorb, and heal. That’s where the real change happens.

If you’re ready to understand your gut and your skin on a deeper level, functional testing and 1:1 support might be the next best step.

→ Book a consultation today and let’s start getting to the root.