Your Gut Health Matters More Than You Think

If your energy feels off, your digestion seems unpredictable, or your mood swings feel stronger than usual, your gut may be asking for attention. The gut isn’t just where food is digested; it’s the foundation of immune health, hormone balance, mental clarity, and overall vitality.
At Rooted Functional Medicine, we view gut health as the starting point for total wellness, because when your gut is balanced, the rest of your body can follow.

1. Feed the Good Bacteria

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, some helpful, some harmful. The balance between them determines how you feel day to day. One of the simplest ways to support this balance is through food.

Try to:

• Include 25–30 grams of fiber daily (from plants, fruits, seeds, and legumes).

• Add fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi a few times a week.

• Rotate your produce, aim for different colors each week to feed diverse bacteria.

Small, consistent changes are more effective than restrictive diets. Your gut thrives on variety and nourishment, not deprivation.

2. Support Digestion Naturally

Your digestive system works best when it feels supported — not rushed. Before reaching for supplements, try resetting some daily habits that make a big difference:

• Chew slowly and take a few deep breaths before eating.

• Hydrate throughout the day (not just with meals).

• Move gently after eating, even a short walk aids motility.

• Reduce chronic stress, which can disrupt digestion as much as poor diet.

These mindful habits help your body shift into “rest and digest” mode, a state where healing and balance can actually occur.

3. Listen to Your Gut (Literally)

Your gut often communicates before labs do. If you notice signs like:

• Bloating after meals

• Irregular bowel movements

• Food sensitivities

• Fatigue or brain fog

…these may be your body’s way of asking for deeper support. While online tips are a great start, every gut is unique, which means what works for one person might not work for another.

4. Take the Next Step Toward a Balanced Gut

Sometimes, surface-level changes aren’t enough. Comprehensive functional lab testing (like the GI-MAP) can reveal the “why” behind your symptoms, identifying imbalances in bacteria, yeast, digestion, and inflammation.

Working with a functional medicine provider ensures you get personalized recommendations that address your specific needs, not just temporary relief.

If you’re ready to learn more, take our Gut Check Quiz or schedule a Discovery Call to explore your next steps. Your gut may be the root cause you’ve been overlooking, and restoring it might be the key to feeling your best again.

Gut Health: Why Getting to the Root Matters

Learn how functional medicine helps uncover the root causes of gut dysbiosis. Stop wasting time and money on quick fixes and discover a gut-friendly recipe to support digestion naturally.

Why Gut Health Matters

Your gut is more than just a digestive system; it’s home to trillions of bacteria that impact your immune system, hormone balance, energy, and even mood. When these bacteria fall out of balance, it’s called gut dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can cause bloating, constipation, fatigue, brain fog, or stubborn skin issues. Many people spend months or even years trying supplements, diets, or medications to fix their gut without ever knowing what’s actually wrong.

The Problem With Quick Fixes

Correcting gut health isn’t about chasing every wellness trend. If you don’t understand the root cause, time and money can be wasted on short term solutions. For example, bacterial overgrowth, food sensitivities, inflammation, or stress related imbalances can all look the same on the surface, but require very different solutions. In functional medicine, we use targeted lab testing and personalized treatment plans to uncover the why behind symptoms, so patients finally get answers instead of endless trial and error.

Small Changes Make a Big Difference

The good news is that your gut can heal with the right support. Everyday choices like eating whole foods, managing stress, improving sleep, and adding probiotic-rich meals can make a lasting impact. Here’s a quick, easy recipe to nourish your microbiome:

Gut-Friendly Turkey & Veggie Stir-Fry (Serves 4)

Why it’s gut-friendly:

• Lean protein from ground turkey supports stable blood sugar and muscle repair.

• Colorful vegetables add fiber, antioxidants, and prebiotics to feed good gut bacteria.

• Simple seasonings keep it light on the digestive system but still full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean or leaner)

• 2 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated (optional for extra gut support)

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 zucchini, diced

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 3 tbsp coconut aminos (gut-friendly alternative to soy sauce)

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional topping)

• 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger; sauté until fragrant (1–2 minutes).

2. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking into crumbles with a spatula.

3. Stir in bell pepper, zucchini, and broccoli. Cook for 5–7 minutes until veggies are tender-crisp.

4. Add tamari/coconut aminos, toss well, and let flavors combine for 2–3 minutes.

5. Serve over warm brown rice or quinoa, topped with sesame seeds if desired.

Nutrition Boosts:

• 25g protein per serving (with turkey + quinoa)

• High in fiber from veggies and whole grains

• Naturally gluten-free and family-approved