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Gut Myths & Facts with Dr. Stephanie Ray, ND

Gut Myths & Facts with Dr. Stephanie Ray, ND

Probiotics and Digestion: Do You Really Need to Chew Your Food?

Myth 1: I can swallow food whole and my gut will digest it.
Fact: There is no “dissolves all” chemical in the gut. Chewing your food thoroughly — almost to a liquid — supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. It also signals your brain about what’s coming, helping with portion control, gut health, and even natural weight loss.

Digestive Enzymes and Food Sensitivities

Myth 2: Certain foods give me gas or make me bloated, so I have to avoid them.
Fact: Often, the issue isn’t the food itself but how it’s digested. Chew thoroughly and taking a proteolytic enzyme supplement to help break down proteins and complex foods. This simple shift can ease bloating, improve digestion, and let you enjoy more variety in your diet.

Probiotics for Gut Health: Are All Strains the Same?

Myth 3: Any probiotic is good for the gut.
Fact: Each person carries about 200–400 species of gut bacteria at any given time. To support a balanced microbiome, choose a multi-strain probiotic supplement and eat a diverse diet rich in prebiotic fibers. This combination strengthens digestion, immunity, and overall gut health.

Bloating and Gut Bacteria: Is Exercise the Answer?

Myth 4: My gut is big because I need to exercise.
Fact: If your belly becomes larger after eating, it’s not just about exercise — it may be a sign of digestive imbalance. Bloating after meals often means your gut needs more beneficial bacteria to restore balance, improve digestion, and reduce gas naturally.

Are Probiotics Safe for Everyone?

Myth 5: Probiotics aren’t safe for everyone.
Fact: Live probiotics may not be recommended for those with weakened immune systems, but probiotic lysates (broken cell wall probiotics) are completely safe. Since they are not alive, they pose no risk of infection while still supporting gut health, digestion, and immune balance.

Why Probiotics Are Essential for Gut Health

Myth 6: Probiotics are not very important.
Fact: Probiotics are essential for gut health. They protect against harmful invaders by competing for food and space, maintain microbiome balance, and keep digestion working smoothly. A healthy gut supports energy, immunity, and overall wellness.

Probiotics and Nutrient Absorption

Myth 7: Probiotics have nothing to do with vitamins and minerals.
Fact: Certain probiotics transform dietary fibers into B vitamins and vitamin K, while others enhance absorption of key minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. This means probiotics support both gut health and nutrient absorption — fueling energy, strong bones, and a healthy body.

How Probiotics Break Down Foods

Myth 8: What probiotics break down in the gut is a mystery.
Fact: Probiotics help digest resistant starches in foods like beans, oats, and bananas, and oligosaccharides in onions, garlic, and legumes. By breaking down these complex carbohydrates, probiotics reduce gas and bloating while improving overall digestive health.

Probiotics for Bloating and Gas Relief

Myth 9: Gas is normal; I have it all the time.
Fact: Occasional gas is normal, but constant farting / burping and bloating often signal fermenting and putrifying food in the gut. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and mindful chewing can reduce bloating and restore gut health.

Probiotics for Bad Breath and Gut Health

Myth 10: I always have bad breath, nothing I do works.
Fact: Persistent bad breath often starts in the gut, not the mouth. Taking probiotics twice daily for 4–6 months can balance your microbiome and freshen your breath.

Takeaway: Your gut is the foundation of good health. When you care for it with probiotics, enzymes, and mindful eating, you’ll notice less bloating, better digestion, and more energy. A happy gut also lifts your mood, strengthens your immunity, and yes — helps you have great poops every day.