The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & get results from 30+ lab companies in one place. In today’s episode, Dr. Carrie Jones is joined by Julie Davey, a Nurse Practitioner and Natural Health Educator. They discuss gut health, including signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut, conventional and holistic testing and practices, and what you can do to maintain a healthy gut balance. Key Takeaways: What Is Gut Health? Gut health describes the function and the balance of the bacteria throughout the GI tract. As we get exposed to various external factors, we will always have some pathogenic bacteria. So gut health is about having a good balance in the microbiome. Why Does Gut Health Start in Your Mouth? The mouth is like the gatekeeper for the gut. This is where we regulate everything that enters, whether good or bad. Oral health is crucial because if you have an imbalance, pathogens can cause issues in the oral cavity, systemic problems, and diseases. Signs of an Unhealthy Gut: The most common signs are bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain. If you have one or more of those symptoms, more than just occasionally or regularly, then something is not right in your gut. Other symptoms include food sensitivities or intolerances, poor sleep, weak immune system, anxiety, depression, and skin issues. Gut Health Practices: Get rid of processed food and eat whole foods. Take probiotics from products like yogurt, kombucha, fermented veggies, and prebiotic fibers from bananas, onions, garlic, and asparagus. Relax and breathe deeply before eating, chew your food properly, try to drink water before or after your meal, and go for a walk after you eat. Julie Davey is an expert in gut health, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, and gut test. She is a nurse practitioner and natural health educator with over twenty years of experience in healthcare. Julie is also the co-owner and founder of A Natural Shift, co-host of the Take the Upgrade podcast, and author of a handful of wellness books.