The Nutrient Dense Podcast

In this Q&A-style episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I answer listener-submitted questions on some of the most common (and misunderstood) gut and hormone concerns I see in practice. Hannah dives into what to actually eat while treating SIBO, why food alone won't fix bacterial overgrowth, and the deeper root causes behind chronic bloating, IBS, low stomach acid, histamine flares, and low progesterone.
 
She also shares her perspective on GLP-1 medications and gut health, explains why chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation are often at the root of hormone imbalance and digestive dysfunction, and gives practical strategies to support better sleep, cortisol regulation, gut motility, and detoxification. If you've been feeling reactive to foods, chronically stressed, exhausted, bloated, inflamed, or like your body just isn't functioning the way it should — this episode is packed with foundational education and actionable takeaways.





























 










 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
SIBO is not just a food issue — it's often rooted in impaired gut motility and digestive dysfunction.
Constant snacking and grazing can disrupt the migrating motor complex (MMC), increasing susceptibility to bacterial overgrowth.
Ginger, bitter foods, and proper meal spacing can naturally support gut motility.
The low FODMAP diet may provide temporary relief, but it does not address root causes.
GLP-1 medications may negatively impact gut motility, gastric emptying, bile flow, and digestive function in some individuals.
Mold illness can contribute to histamine issues, facial puffiness, inflammation, high cortisol, and gut dysfunction.
Lymphatic drainage support is critical during mold detoxification.
Chronic stress and HPA axis dysregulation are major contributors to low progesterone and hormone imbalance.
Morning sunlight exposure and reducing blue light at night can significantly improve cortisol rhythm and sleep quality.
There is no "one supplement" for IBS — the root cause must be identified and addressed individually.
Magnesium glycinate is one of the most broadly supportive nutrients for stress, digestion, nervous system health, and constipation support.
Low stomach acid often signals deeper dysfunction like infections, mold exposure, or chronic stress.
































 













LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Join us in my gut healing group program, Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts before doors close on 5/7!
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 15 - Bloating, Food Sensitivities, and Fatigue: Is SIBO the Culprit?
Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues
Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine
Listen to Episode 20 - How to Overcome IBS - A Functional Approach









 
 
 
 
 









CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 



 



 
 
 
 



 








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

You're not addicted to stress. You're addicted to how it makes you feel.
 
In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked patterns keeping women stuck in burnout, gut issues, and hormonal chaos: the addiction to stress hormones.
 
If you feel like you:
 
Thrive under pressure
Can't relax even when you're exhausted
Crash the second life slows down
Or feel anxious when things are calm…



This isn't a personality trait. It's a conditioned nervous system response.
 
Inside this episode, I walk you through:
 
What's actually happening in your body when you're "running on cortisol"
Why your nervous system starts to feel safe in chaos
How this pattern directly impacts your gut, hormones, and energy
And the exact steps to start rewiring your body out of survival mode



Because healing your gut isn't just about food and supplements…It's about teaching your body that it's finally safe to slow down.




























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
You're not addicted to stress—you're addicted to the chemical state it creates
The nervous system will always choose what feels familiar—even if it's harmful
Many high-performing women are conditioned to feel safe in chaos
Chronic stress rewires your body at a physiological level (HPA axis dysregulation)
"Tired but wired" is one of the clearest signs of cortisol imbalance
Gut issues are often downstream of chronic stress patterns
Burnout is not random—it's the result of long-term stress hormone dependency
Healing requires both: Physical support (nutrition, minerals, sleep)
Nervous system rewiring

 You don't need to eliminate stress—you need to build safety in your body
Small, consistent regulation practices are what actually create change
















 
















 













LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Join us in my gut healing group program, Healin' Guts + Shakin' Butts before doors close on 5/7!
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Listen to Episode 6 - Q&A with Team HAN: SIBO, mold toxicity, histamine overload & more
Listen to Episode 37 - Client Case Study: From IBS, Bloating + Food Sensitivities to Pain-free Digestion & Tolerating More Foods
Listen to Episode 66 - The Most Overlooked Causes of Chronic Digestive Issues














 
 



 
 
 
 
CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 



 



 








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

If you've been told "it's just IBS"… but you're still dealing with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, food sensitivities, fatigue, and Hashimoto's symptoms — this episode is for you.
In this client case study episode, I'm breaking down exactly how we helped one of our clients go from 10 years of chronic digestive issues to feeling like a completely different person in just four months.
 
She came to us with:
 → constipation + overflow diarrhea
 → reacting to almost every food
 → chronic bloating
 → low iron + low vitamin D
 → elevated thyroid antibodies
 → fatigue, weight gain, and constant frustration
 
By the end of working together:
 - daily bowel movements
 - no more bloating
 - food freedom
 - significantly more energy
 - thyroid antibodies dropped by over 500 points
 
This is what happens when you stop treating symptoms… and start addressing the true root cause.



























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Why IBS is often just a label — not a real root cause answer
How Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism are deeply connected to gut health
Why low stomach acid can lead to bloating, constipation, and nutrient deficiencies
The connection between bile flow, liver health, and thyroid function
Why food sensitivities are often a digestive function issue — not a food issue
How chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation suppress digestion
Why random supplements and elimination diets often fail
The 4-phase process we use to restore gut health at the root cause level
















 















 













LINKS:
Save your seat for my FREE 3 Phase Good Gut Formula Masterclass on 4/29!
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 6 - Q&A with Team HAN: SIBO, mold toxicity, histamine overload & more
Listen to Episode 37 - Client Case Study: From IBS, Bloating + Food Sensitivities to Pain-free Digestion & Tolerating More Foods
Listen to Episode 66 - The Most Overlooked Causes of Chronic Digestive Issues














 
 
 
 
 




CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 



 



 








 
 
 
 




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

Constipated regardless of how healthy you eat? Staying hydrated, eating fiber, but still struggling to have regular bowel movements? You don't have a laxative deficiency. It's time to dig deeper. Constipation is NOT just a fiber issue. In this training-style episode, I'm walking you through the true root causes of chronic constipation - the ones that most conventional approaches completely miss. We're diving into digestion, gut microbiome imbalances, nervous system regulation, thyroid health, and more so you can finally understand why your body isn't moving the way it should.






























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
What a healthy bowel movement actually looks like
Why fiber, laxatives, and hydration often don't fix the issue
The connection between constipation, hormones, acne, and toxin buildup
Why you may feel worse adding more fiber
The role of digestion, gut bacteria, and motility in regularity
Why traveling can trigger constipation (and how to fix it)
How multiple root causes often overlap (it's rarely just one thing)








































 













LINKS:
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 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues
Listen to Episode 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire
Listen to Episode 7 - Common Gut Imbalances: SIBO, Candida Overgrowth, Dysbiosis, IBS & More
















 
 
 
 
 
 



CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 
 


 









 
 
 
 
 




 








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

If you've cut out gluten, dairy, sugar, and still feel bloated, constipated, or reactive to foods… this episode is going to change how you think about gut healing.
 
In this training-style episode, I'm breaking down why removing foods alone won't fix your gut — and what's actually going on underneath your symptoms.
 
Because the truth is, it's not just about the food. It's about your ability to digest and tolerate that food. We're diving into the real root causes of chronic gut issues so you can stop restricting and start actually healing.






























 










WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Why elimination diets only provide temporary relief (if any)
The real reason you're reacting to healthy foods
Why food sensitivities are a symptom, not the root cause
How restrictive diets can actually lead to more food fear + worse symptoms
The difference between removing foods vs. restoring function
Why "eating clean" isn't enough to heal your gut
The role of digestive capacity in long-term healing
The deeper root causes behind bloating, constipation, and IBS






















 

















 













LINKS:
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 2 - The Difference Between Food Sensitivities vs Intolerances vs Allergies
Listen to Episode 33 -Main Root Causes of Chronic Gut & Digestive Issues











 
 
 
 









CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 


 









 








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