Episodes

  • E27: Why Autoimmune Disease Can Leave You Bloated—even in Remission

    E27: Why Autoimmune Disease Can Leave You Bloated—even in Remission
    2 Nov 2026
    Living with autoimmune disease and still struggling with bloating, constipation, gas, or unpredictable bowels—even when your condition is considered under control? Your diagnosis may explain part of the story, but there could be more worth investigating. In this episode of Team Gut Girls, naturopathic doctors Dr. Christina Carew, Dr. Whitney Baxter, and Dr. Dominique Vanier explore the connection between autoimmune disease and digestive symptoms. From Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis to celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and scleroderma, we connect the dots between immune activity and an uncomfortable gut. We unpack why bloating can persist during IBD remission, how low thyroid function and slow gut motility can contribute to constipation and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and why overlapping conditions deserve a closer look. Plus, we explore what your history of food poisoning or a stomach bug might reveal about ongoing digestive symptoms—and why “I’ve never felt the same since” is useful information to bring to your clinician. In this episode: • Why autoimmune disease and IBS-type symptoms can overlap • Bloating in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: remission versus a possible flare • Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, constipation, and slow gut motility • SIBO, autoimmune gastritis, and questions about iron and vitamin B12 • Gut sensitivity, the gut-brain connection, and intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) • Food poisoning, post-infectious IBS, and the importance of your health timeline • When to ask about celiac screening, thyroid testing, and a medication review If you’ve been told your condition is controlled but your belly hasn’t received the memo, this conversation will help you prepare more focused questions for your next appointment. Found this helpful? Follow Team Gut Girls and share this episode with someone navigating autoimmune disease and digestive symptoms. This episode is for education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider before changing treatment. Team Gut Girls—because better gut health changes everything.
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    41 min
  • 26: Why You’re Still Bloated: Could Gut Motility Be the Missing Piece?

    26: Why You’re Still Bloated: Could Gut Motility Be the Missing Piece?
    26 Oct 2026
    You’ve changed your food, tried probiotics, and added more fibre—but you’re still bloated. What if there’s another piece of the puzzle: how well your gut is moving? In this episode of Team Gut Girls, naturopathic doctors Dr. Christina Carew, Dr. Whitney Baxter, and Dr. Dominique Vanier explore gut motility—the coordinated movement that helps food, gas, and stool travel through your digestive tract. From feeling full after a few bites to feeling like you’re never quite finished on the toilet, we unpack the symptoms that deserve a closer look. And yes, you can poop every day and still have more to investigate. We discuss why bloating doesn’t automatically mean SIBO, why more fibre isn’t always the answer, and how your nervous system, medications, thyroid, medical history, and daily routines can fit into the picture. Whether you’re watching or listening, you’ll leave with clearer language to describe your symptoms, practical patterns to track, and questions to bring to your next appointment. Because “I’m bloated” deserves a conversation—not just another food restriction. In this episode: What gut motility means—and why speed is only part of the story. The migrating motor complex and its role in gut movement. How gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, constipation, IBS, and pelvic floor coordination can overlap. Why stress, under-fuelling, past infections, surgery, medications, and supplements matter. How to track symptoms without turning your life into a spreadsheet. Why treatment should match the problem—and what to ask when the first approach isn’t helping. Connect with Team Gut Girls Have a question or a topic you’d like us to explore? Visit teamgutgirls.com to get in touch and share your suggestions. (and check out the resources for this episode) Follow or subscribe wherever you watch or listen, and share this episode with someone who’s tired of being told to “just eat more fibre.” This episode is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Discuss changes to medications, supplements, fibre intake, or meal timing with your healthcare provider. Seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, black or bloody stools, or signs of dehydration. Unintentional weight loss also warrants prompt medical assessment.
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    52 min
  • 25: Why Your Gut Reacts to Gluten—3 Celiac Disease Myths

    25: Why Your Gut Reacts to Gluten—3 Celiac Disease Myths
    19 Oct 2026
    Could your bloating, constipation, fatigue, or stubbornly low iron be a clue to celiac disease—even if you’ve never had diarrhea? And if you’ve already gone gluten-free, can you trust a negative celiac blood test? In this episode of Team Gut Girls, Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND and Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND unpack three common celiac disease myths that can delay diagnosis and make gluten-free living more confusing than it needs to be. We explore why what you eat before testing matters, why celiac symptoms can extend well beyond the bathroom, and where gluten cross-contact deserves your attention. Shared toasters and crumb-filled peanut butter jars? Let’s talk. Your shampoo? A different conversation. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why going gluten-free before testing can lead to a false-negative result • How celiac disease can show up as constipation, bloating, fatigue, iron deficiency, or symptoms outside the gut • What tTG-IgA and total IgA blood tests measure—and where an intestinal biopsy fits in • What to discuss with your healthcare provider if you’re already gluten-free • How family history and other autoimmune conditions can influence screening decisions • Which kitchen habits help reduce gluten cross-contact • Why ongoing symptoms after going gluten-free deserve another look You’ll also leave with practical questions to bring to your next appointment, so you can move from “Could gluten be the problem?” toward a clearer plan. RESOURCES Celiac Canada: https://www.celiac.ca More episodes and transcripts: https://www.teamgutgirls.com If this episode helped connect a few dots, follow or subscribe to Team Gut Girls and share it with someone navigating unexplained gut symptoms. Because better gut health changes everything. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider before changing your diet or starting a gluten challenge. If celiac disease is suspected, discuss testing before removing gluten.
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    31 min
  • 24: Why Your Pelvic Floor Could Be Causing Your Bloating with Susannah Stewart, Pelvic Floor Physio

    24: Why Your Pelvic Floor Could Be Causing Your Bloating with Susannah Stewart, Pelvic Floor Physio
    12 Oct 2026
    Bloating, constipation, and that “I went, but I’m still not empty” feeling—could your pelvic floor be part of the puzzle? In this episode of Team Gut Girls, pelvic floor physiotherapist Susannah Stewart joins Dr. Whitney Baxter, Dr. Christina Carew, and Dr. Dominique Vanier to explore an often-overlooked connection in gut health: how your pelvic floor, diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and nervous system work together to help you poop—and what happens when that coordination gets disrupted. If you’re dealing with persistent bloating, straining, trapped gas, or incomplete bowel movements, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what might deserve a closer look. And yes, you can poop every day and still have constipation. We unpack: How pelvic floor tension and difficulty relaxing can contribute to constipation and abdominal discomfort. Why stress, anxiety, and pain can influence bowel function. Toileting posture and habits that can make emptying easier. Pelvic organ prolapse and its potential role in incomplete evacuation. Dyssynergic defecation—when the muscles involved in pooping aren’t coordinating—and where biofeedback fits. Why “just do Kegels” isn’t helpful advice for every pelvic floor. What to expect from pelvic floor physiotherapy, including consent, comfort, and options beyond an internal exam. Postpartum body image, core recovery, and moving beyond pressure to “bounce back.” Expect practical insights, myth-busting, and an honest conversation about the things we don’t talk about nearly enough. Because understanding your bloating sometimes means looking a little farther south. Learn more and find episode transcripts at https://www.teamgutgirls.com. Follow Team Gut Girls for more conversations about gut health, hormones, and women’s health—and share this episode with someone who knows the frustration of a bathroom trip that feels unfinished. This episode is for education and does not replace individualized medical advice.
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    53 min
  • 23: Why A Gut Supplement Might Not Be Your First Step

    23: Why A Gut Supplement Might Not Be Your First Step
    28 Sep 2026
    Should you take a probiotic for bloating? Are prebiotics better? And does a probiotic with 50 billion CFUs actually work better than one with 10 billion? If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle staring at dozens of probiotic bottles — or bought an influencer-promoted greens powder promising better gut health — this episode is for you. The Team Gut Girls break down probiotics vs. prebiotics, what the research actually says about probiotics for bloating, IBS and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and why choosing the right probiotic is much more complicated than looking for the biggest number on the bottle. Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND, Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND, and Dr. Christina Carew, ND explain why probiotic strain matters, what CFUs actually mean, how to assess probiotic quality, and why some probiotics and prebiotic fibers may actually make gas and bloating worse in certain people. They also tackle three common probiotic myths: • Myth #1: All probiotics are basically the same. • Myth #2: You shouldn't take probiotics while taking antibiotics. • Myth #3: More CFUs means a better probiotic. You'll learn the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, why genus, species and strain matter, what to look for on a probiotic label, and why Canadian consumers should look for an NPN (Natural Product Number). The Gut Girls also explore the bigger picture: your gut microbiome is more like a garden than an empty container waiting to be filled with probiotic bacteria. Fiber, hydration, gut motility, sleep, diet diversity, medications and your existing microbiome all influence that environment. And when it comes specifically to probiotics for IBS and bloating, the evidence isn't as simple as social media might suggest. Research is mixed, guidelines remain cautious, and the reason you're bloated matters. A probiotic may be useful in some situations — but it isn't a universal solution for bloating. In this episode, you'll learn: • What probiotics and prebiotics actually are • The difference between probiotic genus, species and strain • Why strain specificity matters when choosing a probiotic • Whether higher CFUs mean a probiotic is more effective • How probiotics can interact with antibiotics • Why probiotics and antibiotics are generally separated by at least two hours • Why Saccharomyces boulardii is different from bacterial probiotics • What to look for when buying a probiotic in Canada • Why expiry dates and end-of-shelf-life viability matter • How prebiotic foods feed your existing gut microbiome • Why fiber and prebiotics can sometimes increase bloating and gas • How SIBO and visceral hypersensitivity may affect probiotic tolerance • Where probiotic research is strongest • What the evidence says about probiotics for IBS and bloating • Why identifying the underlying cause of bloating matters • Questions to ask your healthcare practitioner before starting a probiotic Before starting a probiotic or other supplement — particularly if you have an underlying health condition, take medications, or are immunocompromised — speak with an appropriate healthcare professional. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything.
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    48 min
  • 22: Why Your Microbiome Test May Not Have the Answers You’re Looking For

    22: Why Your Microbiome Test May Not Have the Answers You’re Looking For
    21 Sep 2026
    If you’re dealing with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive symptoms, you may have wondered: Should I get a gut health test? From microbiome testing and PCR stool tests to SIBO breath testing, there are more gut tests available than ever — but getting more data doesn’t always mean getting a clearer answer. In this episode of Team Gut Girls, naturopathic doctors Dr. Whitney Baxter, Dr. Christina Carew, and Dr. Dominique Vanier break down what some of the most popular gut health tests can actually tell you — and where their limitations begin. We explore PCR stool testing and microbiome mapping, including why these tests can be useful for identifying certain infections and parasites but may be much less helpful for explaining chronic symptoms like everyday bloating, constipation, or IBS. We also unpack SIBO breath testing, including hydrogen and methane testing, glucose vs. lactulose, transit time, test preparation, false positives and false negatives, and why your symptoms and medical history matter when interpreting a result. You'll learn: • What a PCR stool test actually measures • Why a microbiome test is only a snapshot of your gut • Why there is no universally agreed-upon “perfect” microbiome • Whether stool testing can diagnose IBS • How SIBO breath testing works • The difference between glucose and lactulose SIBO breath tests • Why constipation and transit time can affect SIBO results • When repeating a SIBO test may — or may not — be useful • Why over-testing can lead to more confusion instead of more answers • How clinicians use symptoms, Rome criteria and biomarkers alongside testing • Why treating the person — rather than simply treating a test result — matters Most importantly, we discuss the question to ask before spending hundreds of dollars on functional gut testing: Will the result of this test actually change what we do next? Gut testing can be an incredibly useful piece of the puzzle when it’s used for the right person, at the right time, for the right reason. But your microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem — and a test result should never be interpreted in isolation. If you've spent money chasing bacteria on stool tests, repeatedly testing for SIBO, or wondering why your digestive symptoms continue even though your tests are “normal,” this episode will help you understand what these tests can — and cannot — tell you. Follow Team Gut Girls for evidence-informed conversations about gut health, IBS, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, the microbiome, hormones, and the gut-brain connection. Visit TeamGutGirls.com for episode transcripts and more information. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything.
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    47 min
  • 21 When Your Gut Symptoms Shouldn’t Be Ignored

    21 When Your Gut Symptoms Shouldn’t Be Ignored
    14 Sep 2026
    When Bloating, Bleeding & Indigestion Need a Closer Look When is a digestive symptom just a digestive symptom — and when is it worth a closer look? Bloating, changes in bowel habits, low iron, rectal bleeding and indigestion are incredibly common, and most of the time they have a benign explanation. But sometimes, the pattern of a symptom — how long it lasts, how often it happens, or whether it has changed — can be an important clue that further investigation is needed. In this episode of the Team Gut Girls Podcast, Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND, Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND, and Dr. Christina Carew, ND unpack the digestive red flags they don't want you to ignore. They explore why colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, how gastrointestinal bleeding can happen without visible blood, why heavy periods shouldn't automatically be considered the only explanation for low iron, and how persistent bloating can sometimes warrant looking beyond the gut. They also discuss ovarian and stomach cancer symptoms that can initially sound surprisingly ordinary — including bloating, feeling full quickly and persistent indigestion — and explain why new, persistent or changing symptoms matter more than how dramatic a symptom feels. This isn't about assuming the worst every time you're bloated. It's about knowing your normal, recognizing when something has changed, and having the information you need to advocate for yourself when it has. What You'll Learn In this episode, you'll learn: Why colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in adults under 50 Why "you're too young for that" shouldn't automatically end a medical investigation The digestive red flags worth discussing with your healthcare provider Why rectal bleeding shouldn't automatically be assumed to be hemorrhoids How gastrointestinal bleeding can be invisible — and show up instead as low iron or anemia Why heavy periods can contribute to low iron without necessarily explaining the whole picture What persistent bloating can tell you that occasional, meal-related bloating can't The bloating, pelvic and urinary symptoms associated with ovarian cancer that warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider When persistent indigestion may need further investigation Why black or tarry stool, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing and unexplained weight loss deserve attention How your family history can change screening recommendations Why a previous normal colonoscopy, ultrasound or other investigation doesn't necessarily explain a new symptom today How to track symptom patterns and communicate them clearly to your healthcare provider Practical language you can use to advocate for further investigation when something doesn't feel like your normal The Big Takeaway Track the pattern, not just the symptom. A symptom doesn't have to feel severe to be worth mentioning. If something is new, happening frequently, changing from your usual pattern or persisting most days for more than two to three weeks, bring it to your healthcare provider's attention. And if you've mentioned it before and it's still happening? You can bring it up again. The goal isn't to assume that common digestive symptoms mean something serious. It's to make sure persistent or changing symptoms aren't dismissed simply because you're young, you've had the symptom before, or there's an easy explanation available. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything.
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    33 min
  • 20. Why Biofilms Might Be Behind Your Bloating

    20. Why Biofilms Might Be Behind Your Bloating
    7 Sep 2026
    You treated the SIBO. You felt better. And then… the bloating came back. Cue the internet: “It’s probably biofilm.” But is it? In this episode of Team Gut Girls, Dr. Christina Carew, Dr. Whitney Baxter, and Dr. Dominique Vanier dig into one of gut health’s buzziest—and most misunderstood—topics: biofilms. Biofilms are very real. They’re organized communities of microorganisms that build a protective matrix around themselves, communicate with one another, share resources, and may become harder for the immune system or antimicrobial treatments to reach. Think less “random bad bacteria” and more tiny gated microbial community—with infrastructure, neighbours, and apparently a very aggressive HOA. The bigger question is whether biofilms are actually responsible for your bloating, recurrent SIBO, IBS symptoms, or treatment resistance. We unpack what the research tells us, what remains theoretical, and why “my SIBO came back” doesn’t automatically equal “I need a biofilm disruptor.” Motility problems, constipation, pelvic floor dysfunction, abdominal phrenic dyssynergia, endometriosis, celiac disease, disorders of gut-brain interaction, and even an incorrect diagnosis can all keep symptoms cycling. We also get into the biofilm treatments you’ve probably seen online—including NAC, enzymes, EDTA, bismuth, lumbrokinase, nattokinase, and serrapeptase—and why something that disrupts biofilm in a Petri dish doesn’t automatically translate into better bloating or IBS symptoms in an actual human. And we need to talk about “die-off.” Feeling awful after starting a supplement isn’t proof that treatment is working. Diarrhea, rashes, fatigue, GI irritation, medication interactions, excessive dosing, and allergic reactions deserve attention—not a badge of honour for suffering through your protocol. Because when it comes to chronic gut symptoms, the better question may not be: “What bacteria do I need to kill?” It may be: “What is happening in my gut ecosystem that allows this problem to keep coming back?” What You’ll Learn What a gut biofilm actually is—and why biofilms aren’t an alternative-health invention How microbes form biofilms through attachment, maturation, communication, and dispersion What quorum sensing means and how bacteria communicate inside their microbial communities Why biofilms may make some microorganisms more persistent or difficult to eradicate The possible connection between biofilms, bloating, IBS, dysbiosis, and recurrent SIBO Why recurrent SIBO doesn’t automatically prove you have a problematic biofilm How gut motility and constipation can contribute to SIBO recurrence Why biofilms can contain multiple microorganisms rather than one single “bad bug” Whether all biofilms are actually harmful (spoiler: no) Why there currently isn’t a routine stool test that can reliably diagnose “biofilm-related bloating” What we know—and don’t know—about NAC, enzymes, EDTA, bismuth, lumbrokinase, nattokinase, and serrapeptase Why trying to “starve” biofilms by restricting minerals such as magnesium may backfire The problem with assuming every bad reaction is Herxheimer or die-off When persistent or treatment-resistant symptoms might make biofilms worth discussing with your healthcare provider Biofilms may be one piece of the puzzle, especially when symptoms or infections repeatedly return despite appropriate treatment—but they’re rarely the whole puzzle.
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    34 min