4 Hidden Causes of Bloating (And How to Fix Them for Good)

Bloating Isn’t Just About the Food You Eat

If you’re someone who struggles with chronic bloating, you’ve probably tried cutting out all sorts of foods – gluten, dairy, sugar, FODMAPs, and more. But no matter what you eliminate, the bloating just won’t go away. The truth is, the issue isn’t just about the food itself. There are deeper, hidden causes at play when it comes to persistent bloating.

In this article, we’ll dive into the 4 biggest hidden causes of bloating, and share a step-by-step approach to fixing them for good – without having to cut out more and more foods.

The 4 Hidden Causes of Bloating

1. Eating Too Quickly

One of the most overlooked causes of bloating is simply eating too fast. Your body isn’t designed to chug a protein shake on the go, scarf down a salad at your desk, or finish a meal in just 5 minutes. When you eat in a rushed or stressed state, your digestion isn’t primed to properly break down your food.

Without enough time to release digestive enzymes, bile, and stomach acid, the food just sits in your stomach and starts to ferment – leading to bloating, gas, and discomfort. Instead, make a conscious effort to:

• Sit down and eat without distractions
• Breathe and chew your food thoroughly
• Take at least 20-30 minutes to finish a meal

Improving your “meal hygiene” in this way can provide quick relief for bloating in many cases. But it may not be the full solution if you have other underlying gut imbalances.

2. Low Stomach Acid

Proper stomach acid production is crucial for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and preventing bloating. Signs you may have low stomach acid include:

• Feeling overly full after just a few bites of protein
• Frequent burping or acid reflux
• Undigested food in your stool
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Dry skin, acne, or brittle nails

To support healthy stomach acid levels, try incorporating more bitter foods, apple cider vinegar, or digestive bitters before meals. You may also need to address underlying issues like mineral deficiencies or H. pylori infections that can inhibit acid production.

3. Avoiding and Eliminating Too Many Foods

Many people struggling with bloating resort to cutting out more and more foods – gluten, dairy, FODMAPs, etc. While this can provide temporary relief, it’s not a long-term solution. In fact, it can actually make the problem worse.

When you restrict too many foods, you’re limiting the beneficial prebiotic fibers that feed your gut bacteria. Over time, this can lead to an imbalance of good and bad gut bugs, making you more sensitive and reactive to a wider range of foods. Your digestive function also gets weaker, making it harder to tolerate foods in the future.

Instead of endless elimination, the focus should be on restoring your overall gut function so you can tolerate a wider variety of foods again. This means addressing the root causes, not just managing symptoms.

4. Gut Bacteria Imbalance

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, and an imbalance of good and bad bugs can wreak havoc on your digestion. Some key signs of gut dysbiosis include:

• Irregular bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, or alternating)
• Frequent sugar cravings
• Multiple food intolerances
• Skin issues, allergies, or mood changes

Factors that can disrupt the gut microbiome include:

• Antibiotic use
• High stress
• Poor digestion (low stomach acid)
• Undereating or restrictive diets
• The standard American diet

To rebalance your gut, focus on consuming prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods, addressing mineral imbalances, and supporting overall gut healing. Testing can also help uncover specific gut infections or imbalances that need to be addressed.

A Whole-Body Approach to Fixing Bloating for Good

Most people try to fix their bloating by guessing and eliminating more foods, or taking random supplements. But without getting to the root cause, this approach is doomed to fail.

Instead, we need to take a comprehensive, whole-body approach that addresses both the gut environment and the external factors influencing it. This includes:

• Assessing gut function, gut bacteria balance, and immune/inflammatory markers through testing
• Evaluating hormones, stress, blood sugar, sleep, and other lifestyle factors
• Addressing nutrient deficiencies and optimizing macronutrient intake

With the right testing and a customized plan, you can get to the bottom of your unique bloating triggers and heal your gut for good – without having to cut out more and more foods for the rest of your life.

Client Case Studies: Uncovering the Root Causes of Bloating

Let’s take a look at a few real-life examples of how functional testing can uncover the hidden causes of chronic bloating:

Client #1: Digestive Enzyme Deficiency

Her GI Map test revealed that this client had low levels of the digestive enzyme elastase, indicating poor pancreatic function. She was also struggling to properly digest fats, which explained why dairy and fattier meats would trigger her bloating.

Addressing her enzyme deficiency and supporting better fat digestion was key to resolving her bloating, rather than just eliminating those “problem” foods.

Client #2: H. pylori and Gut Dysbiosis

For this client, the GI Map test showed an H. pylori infection, which can inhibit stomach acid production. It also revealed significant imbalances in her gut bacteria, with overgrowths of certain histamine-producing bugs.

By treating the H. pylori, rebalancing her gut microbiome, and supporting healthy stomach acid levels, she was able to overcome her chronic bloating and digestive issues.

Client #3: Thyroid and Mineral Imbalances

In addition to her GI Map results, this client’s blood work and hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) provided crucial insights. Her thyroid antibodies were elevated, indicating an autoimmune component to her hypothyroidism. The HTMA also showed severe mineral deficiencies, including low sodium and potassium – both of which are important for proper digestion.

By addressing her thyroid, mineral imbalances, and other root causes, she was able to restore her gut function and eliminate her persistent bloating.

Putting it All Together: A Comprehensive Approach to Gut Healing

Fixing bloating for good requires a two-pronged approach:

1. Address the gut environment: This includes optimizing digestive function, rebalancing gut bacteria, and managing inflammation.
2. Address external factors: Look at hormones, stress, blood sugar, nutrient status, and other lifestyle elements that influence gut health.

With the right testing and a customized plan, you can get to the root causes of your bloating and heal your gut for good. No more guessing, no more endless food eliminations. Just a clear path to restored digestive function and the freedom to enjoy a wide variety of foods without fear.

If you’re ready to finally fix your bloating for good, I’d love to work together. Fill out an application here or reach out to me on Instagram so we can make sure it’s a good fit.