You’ve made all the changes. You’ve eliminated gluten from your diet, started taking probiotics, swapped out sugary drinks for healthy smoothies, and cut back on alcohol. But despite all your efforts, something still isn’t right. Your gut feels off. The bloating refuses to go away, your energy crashes well before noon, and you’re dealing with intermittent brain fog, skin flare-ups, or mysterious aches that pop up out of nowhere.
Does this sound familiar?
If you’re doing everything “right” and still not feeling any better, take a deep breath—you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not broken. Many people face this frustrating reality, and it can feel discouraging. According to Dr. Amy Myers, a respected functional medicine physician and bestselling author, most people who struggle with gut issues are unknowingly making a few key mistakes. These seemingly small errors can keep symptoms locked in a cycle, preventing healing despite their best efforts.
Dr. Myers witnessed this firsthand in her clinic, where patients would arrive with clean diets and the latest supplements, yet still suffer from persistent gut problems. The reality? Healing your gut isn’t just about tweaking your diet or taking the right probiotics. It requires a more comprehensive approach—one that gets to the root of the issue. In this article, we’ll explore the top three gut-healing mistakes Dr. Myers sees regularly and share the powerful tools she uses to help her patients break free from ongoing discomfort.
- Ignoring Hidden Food Sensitivities
The first major mistake many people make is assuming that a “clean” diet is always the right one for their body. Dr. Myers frequently encounters patients who are eating healthy, nutritious meals, yet still experiencing fatigue, bloating, joint pain, and other symptoms. The problem often lies in food sensitivities that go undiagnosed. Even the healthiest foods can trigger issues in people with sensitivities, which can cause ongoing inflammation and disrupt gut health.
The most effective way to uncover these hidden food triggers is through an elimination diet. This method involves temporarily removing common irritants like gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and eggs from your diet and then slowly reintroducing them one by one. By carefully observing how your body reacts during each phase, you can identify which foods are quietly sabotaging your progress.
Dr. Myers integrates this process into her Leaky Gut Support Protocol, which includes a 30-day meal plan designed to reset your gut, reduce inflammation, and support healing from within. For anyone who has been eating clean but still struggles with gut-related issues, this often turns out to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
- Relying Too Heavily on Probiotics
Probiotics are a hot topic in the wellness world, and it’s easy to believe that simply taking a daily supplement is all you need to restore your gut health. While probiotics can be incredibly beneficial for some, Dr. Myers emphasizes that they are only one part of the equation. The truth is, probiotics alone aren’t going to solve all your gut problems.
For some people, especially those dealing with leaky gut or dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria), introducing probiotics without addressing the underlying gut issues can actually make symptoms worse. This is because a damaged gut lining may allow the probiotics to pass through the intestinal wall without reaching the right areas, causing further imbalances.
A more holistic approach involves addressing the root cause of your gut issues—whether that’s food sensitivities, infections, or imbalanced gut bacteria—and supporting your gut lining with proper nutrition and healing protocols before introducing probiotics. Dr. Myers uses this approach with her patients, ensuring that they’re ready for probiotics and other supplements by first healing the gut lining and restoring balance to the gut flora.
- Neglecting Stress and Sleep
Even if your diet is perfect and you’re taking the right supplements, chronic stress and poor sleep can still wreak havoc on your gut health. Dr. Myers points out that stress and inadequate sleep are often overlooked factors that play a significant role in gut healing. The gut-brain connection is powerful, and when we’re constantly stressed or deprived of restorative sleep, our gut’s ability to function optimally is compromised.
Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, which can disrupt digestion and trigger inflammation in the gut. Inadequate sleep, on the other hand, can weaken the immune system and hinder the body’s ability to repair and regenerate. This creates a cycle where gut healing is constantly impeded.
To break this cycle, Dr. Myers encourages her patients to incorporate stress-reducing practices like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga into their daily routines. Prioritizing sleep hygiene—such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine—is also crucial for supporting gut health. By addressing stress and sleep alongside diet and supplementation, you create the ideal environment for your gut to heal.
Conclusion
Healing your gut is not a one-size-fits-all process. It requires a comprehensive, personalized approach that goes beyond just cutting out gluten or taking a probiotic. If you’ve been doing everything right and still aren’t feeling better, there’s a chance you’re overlooking some critical factors that could be holding you back. Whether it’s undiagnosed food sensitivities, an over-reliance on probiotics, or the effects of stress and poor sleep, taking the time to address these underlying issues can be the game-changer you’ve been searching for.
Dr. Myers’ approach emphasizes a thorough evaluation of your diet, lifestyle, and gut health to uncover what’s truly causing your symptoms. By making targeted changes and focusing on healing the gut from the inside out, you can finally achieve lasting relief and regain your vitality. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey—and with the right tools and guidance, you can start feeling like yourself again
