The Nutrient Dense Podcast

Could fungal overgrowth be part of the picture behind your ongoing digestive issues? In this episode, I'm diving into Candida, the fungal community within your gut microbiome, and how this impacts both digestion and overall health. We'll explore potential risk factors, underlying root causes, testing options and emerging research on the relationship between fungi, bacteria, and health. Simply "starving Candida" heavily oversimplifies the issue, since at its core, candida isn't the main issue. We'll dig into dietary approaches, supplementation, and natural solutions to explore to truly overcome fungal overgrowth.

• The differences between localized Candida infections, suspected intestinal overgrowth, SIFO, and invasive candidiasis.
• Digestive issues and patterns that may warrant investigation into fungal issues.
• How fungal and bacterial overgrowth can coexist in the small intestine.
• Risk factors and underlying root cause drivers of candida overgrowth
• My perspective on stress, dietary patterns, and environmental exposure history.
• The limitations of stool testing and why it cannot confirm SIFO.
• Early research involving Candida, ADHD, anxiety, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• The iron x candida connection
• Should you follow a strict anti-Candida diet? Probably not.
• How we combine nourishment, lifestyle support, and targeted interventions for candida overgrowth.

• 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 84 - Why Most SIBO Protocols Fail
• Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine
• Listen to Episode 82 - Why Your Iron Levels Won't Budge: The Deeper Root Causes of Low Iron
• Listen to Episode 87 - What Came First—Your Anxiety or Your Gut Issues? Understanding the Gut–Brain Connection
• Listen to Episode 34 - Breaking Down Microbiome Imbalances: dysbiosis, candida, and leaky gut

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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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If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨