Bloating is one of the most common complaints I hear from patients — and one of the most misunderstood. Discover six root-cause strategies that finally put an end to chronic bloating.
Bloating is one of the most common complaints I hear from patients — and one of the most misunderstood. Most people assume it's just a normal part of eating, but chronic bloating is your body's way of signaling that something deeper is off.
Secret #1: Identify your trigger foods. The most common culprits are gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and eggs. A comprehensive food sensitivity panel can pinpoint exactly which foods are driving inflammation in your gut.
Secret #2: Address low stomach acid. Many people with bloating actually have too little stomach acid, not too much. Low HCl means food ferments in the stomach rather than being properly digested, producing gas and bloating.
Secret #3: Test for SIBO. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is a leading cause of bloating that goes undiagnosed for years. A simple breath test can confirm whether bacteria have migrated into the small intestine where they don't belong.
Secret #4: Support your digestive enzymes. If your pancreas isn't producing adequate enzymes, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats won't break down properly — leading to fermentation and gas.
Secret #5: Heal your gut lining. Leaky gut allows undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that manifests as bloating, fatigue, and inflammation throughout the body.
Secret #6: Reduce stress. The gut-brain axis is real. Chronic stress suppresses digestive function, slows motility, and disrupts the microbiome. Incorporating nervous system regulation practices is a non-negotiable part of gut healing.
Dr. Teresa Rispoli
PhD., ND, LAc. — Functional Medicine & Nutrition