Have you ever noticed your IBS symptoms seem to disappear when you travel to Europe?
In this episode, we talk about processing methods in Europe and how they impact digestibility, how food standards and regulation differ in Europe and North America (and why additives and processing could be linked to GI symptoms), why stress and movement may be playing a role, and more!
⏱️ Chapters:
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com.
What if you need to eat MORE, not less to reduce your gut symptoms, have more energy & have better performance?
In this episode, let’s talk about why underfuelling and low energy availability (LEA) can have negative consequences, and specifically on gut health and digestive functions!
⏱️ Chapters:
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👤 Today’s Guest: Christine Gemmell, RD
Christine Gemmell is a Registered Dietitian and sports nutrition specialist based in Kingston, Ontario. In her practice Eminence Nutrition, she integrates evidence-based sports nutrition with a weight-inclusive, health-first philosophy that supports not only physical performance but also a sustainable and confident relationship with food.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Article: High Intensity Exercise & Your Gut
📌 Pre & Post Workout For a Happy Gut Guide
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Today’s episode is a recording from Episode 62 of the Joyful Eating For PCOS and Gut Health podcast.
We explore how your body responds to different types of exercise intensities. We break down why gut symptoms can arise when you ramp up the intensity of your workouts, beneficial ways cortisol actually HELPS you exercise more efficiently, and how to enjoy high intensity training without the digestive upset.
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com.
Do you really know what’s driving the IBS symptoms you experience?
Instead of just taking more meds or cutting out more foods, addressing the underlying drives of IBS is the key to long-term IBS relief.
In this episode, I’m recapping highlights from my live masterclass, Break Free From IBS: Your 6-Step Roadmap to Lasting Relief.
If you missed it, don’t worry! I’ve pulled together the most important takeaways and I’ll be answering some of your top Q&A questions from the session.
I cover some pressing questions like:
Is intermittent fasting for IBS?
What is the best way to determine a food intolerance?
What is the vagus nerve?
Can leaky gut be seen on a colonoscopy?
& more!
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⏱️ Chapters:
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Doors open with special bonuses to the Gut Harmony Method Program! 🎁 Apply by Oct 25 & get 3 Live Trainings ($327 Value) — incl. Holiday IBS Survival Guide!
Grab the details + apply here.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 A Gut Health Dietitian’s Thoughts on Food Sensitivity Testing
📌 What’s the Best Probiotic For IBS?
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com.
If I was diagnosed with IBS today, what would I do?
I’ve worked with hundreds of people with IBS and gut health concerns, and while everyone’s journey is unique, there are some key steps that make the process of healing, managing symptoms, and actually living your life again so much smoother.
⏱️ Chapters:
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Ready for high touch support for IBS? 👩🏻💻 Doors open with special discount + bonuses for my Gut Harmony Method Program. Apply now!
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
As a Dietitian and Coach specializing in IBS and gut health, I wanted to highlight the 5 most common things I see new clients and community members doing that is holding you back from true IBS relief.
⏱️ Chapters:
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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
What are food intolerances, and how can we support them through a holistic approach including enzyme supplements when appropriate?
Join myself and Anouk Martini, a registered dietitian from Intoleran discuss the complexities of food intolerances, particularly in relation to IBS!
⏱️ Chapters:
👤 Today’s Guest: Anouk Martini, Intoleran Dietitian
If certain foods leave you feeling bloated, gassy, or uncomfortable, Intoleran is here to help. Intoleran’s enzyme supplements are designed to make eating easier by supporting the breakdown of things like FODMAPs, sucrose, starches, and histamine.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 JOIN THE FREE IBS MASTERCLASS: ‘Break Free From IBS: Your 6-Step Roadmap to Lasting Relief’
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🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Ever finished a meal and almost instantly, you have to run to the bathroom?
In episode 24, we break down what’s happening in your body—specifically the gastrocolic reflex—and what you can do to calm it down!
⏱️ Chapters:
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📌Grab Your FREE Beat the Bloat Cheet Sheat! You'll also be added to my email list to be the first to know when my next LIVE free IBS Masterclass opens up.
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If you’ve ever dealt with stubborn skin issues like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, or other fungal skin rashes—and felt frustrated by only getting temporary relief with creams, steroids, or medicated shampoos—this episode is for you. We’ll be exploring how an imbalanced gut microbiome can show up on our skin and what it really takes to heal from the inside out.
⏱️ Chapters:
👤 Today’s Guest:Julia Chien, RD
Julia Chien, a Registered Dietitian based in Vancouver, B.C., who specializes in supporting individuals with chronic inflammation, eczema, and digestive issues through an integrative, root-cause approach. Julia brings such a unique perspective—not only from her professional work with hundreds of clients—but also from her own journey overcoming eczema and Topical Steroid Withdrawal.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Book: When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Do marathons cause colon cancer? There have been several posts circulating online alongside a New York Times article about a recent study about colon cancer in long distance runners. Let’s break down the study & what you need to know about distance running and colon cancer risk!
⏱️ Chapters:
(00:00) — Gut-friendly sports drink guide intro
(00:40) — Welcome to the Gut Fit Nutrition Podcast
(01:20) — Today’s topic: Colon cancer study in long-distance runners
(02:20) — Listener reactions and episode purpose
(03:00) — Study overview & sensational media headlines
(04:20) — Study limitations: no control group, not peer-reviewed
(05:10) — Misreporting on half marathons
(06:00) — Possible mechanisms: blood flow, oxygen, runner’s colitis
(07:20) — Missing variables: hydration, NSAIDs, nutrition, body composition
(08:20) — Ultra-endurance considerations and lifestyle factors
(09:00) — Broader evidence: physical activity reduces colon cancer risk
(10:20) — Known risk factors: diet, lifestyle, genetics, IBD
(11:30) — Emerging theory: microplastics and colorectal cancer
(12:50) — Practical takeaways: study quality, balanced perspective
(14:10) — Closing thoughts, Q&A invite, community wrap-up
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🎁 Grab FREE Gut Friendly Sports Drink Guide
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Study referenced: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/244806
📌 PMID: 26500336
📌 PMID: 35612669
📌 PMID: 29325535
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Today we’re diving into a topic that has been everywhere lately—electrolytes. Let’s break it down for you from a dietitian’s perspective: what electrolytes actually are, when you really need to supplement, and how they impact your gut, hormones, and hydration.
By the end of the episode, you’ll know what’s hype, what’s helpful, and what’s right for you!
⏱️ Chapters:
(00:00) — Welcome & episode intro
(01:15) — Electrolyte hype vs reality
(02:30) — What electrolytes actually do
(03:45) — Gut health connections
(05:00) — Who really needs supplements
(06:15) — Training in heat & sweat loss
(07:30) — Sodium: the MVP electrolyte
(08:45) — Sodium citrate vs table salt
(10:00) — How much sodium you need
(11:15) — Sweat testing & athletes
(12:30) — Daily use myths busted
(13:45) — Electrolytes from food sources
(15:00) — Potassium, magnesium & balance
(16:30) — Key takeaways & wrap-up
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🌟 GRAB YOUR FREE Gut Friendly Sports Drink Guide!
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Electrolytes & Gut Health: What’s Hype, What’s Helpful, and What’s Right For You?
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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
👩🏻⚕️ Apply For Coaching
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Today we’re tackling a topic that sparks a lot of questions and sometimes even a bit of frustration in the IBS and low FODMAP Diet community: Why do Monash FODMAP servings keep changing?
If you’re following the low FODMAP diet and felt confused when your favourite food serving suddenly changes, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why these changes happen, how you can stay up to date, and what this means for you if you’re following the low FODMAP diet.
⏱️ Chapters:
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👤 Today’s Guest: Dede Wilson, Cofounder of FODMAP Everyday®
Dédé is the co-owner of FODMAP Everyday®, a go-to resource for high-quality articles, product lists, and delicious recipes that help you thrive on the low FODMAP Diet.
She’s a professional recipe developer, author of over 17 cookbooks, former Bon Appétit magazine editor, and Monash University and FODMAP Friendly accredited educator. Dédé also lives with IBS herself, which means she brings both expert knowledge and lived experience to her work.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal
📌 Gut Harmony Method Program (IBS & Gut Health Coaching)
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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Picture this: You’re halfway through your long run when suddenly… you need a bathroom ASAP… Sound familiar?
Today we’re talking about why running can trigger digestive issues and what’s really going on in the gut. This episode is for: runners, endurance athletes with IBS or a sensitive gut, or anyone curious about the gut–exercise connection!
⏱️ Chapters:
(00:00) — Choosing the Right Sodium for Performance
(00:41) — Welcome to the Gut Fit Nutrition Podcast
(01:23) — That Sudden Urge Mid-Run… Why It Happens
(02:07) — Who This Episode Is For
(02:25) — Upcoming 5K Fundraiser for Mental Health
(03:52) — Why Digestive Symptoms Aren’t “Normal” on Runs
(04:58) — What Happens to Blood Flow During Exercise
(05:37) — The Role of Pelvic Floor and Mechanical Jostling
(06:29) — Cortisol, Inflammation, and Gut Permeability
(07:27) — Hydration, Electrolyte Imbalance & Gut Impact
(08:30) — Common Trigger Foods for Runners
(09:48) — Pre-Run Nutrition Timing & Guidelines
(11:39) — Hydration Tips: What, When, and How Much
(13:17) — Sodium Citrate vs Sodium Chloride: What to Choose
(14:11) — Gut Training with Carbs During Long Runs
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🤝 SUPPORT THE CAMH FOUNDATION FOR THE CONSTANTINE YORKVILLE 5K: ⤵️
https://raceroster.com/events/2025/96738/2025-constantine-yorkville-run/pledge/participant/38848322
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Electrolytes & Gut Health: What’s Hype, What’s Helpful, and What’s Right For You?
📌 Creating a Therapeutic Exercise Plan With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction With Courtenay Polock
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🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Today, we’re diving into a hot topic that many of you have asked about: gut health testing. There are so many testing options out there claiming to provide answers for your digestive issues — from food sensitivity panels to comprehensive stool tests. But how many of these are actually validated, and which ones are just burning a hole in your wallet?
Whether you’re wondering about IgG food sensitivity testing, the GI-MAP stool test, or hydrogen/methane breath testing, we cover it all — plus, we share our professional take on what’s truly worth your time and money when navigating IBS and gut symptoms.
⏱️ Chapters:
👤 Today’s Guest: Andrea Hardy RD
Andrea Hardy is a registered dietitian from Calgary, Canada where she runs a multi-disciplinary digestive health practice called Ignite Nutrition. She specializes in gut health & gastrointestinal diseases and is recognized in the media as Canada’s Gut Health Expert. She is passionate about translating science into ‘easy to digest’ information to support a healthy gut. She has spoken on the TEDx stage, as well as internationally about digestive health.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Why I Don’t Recommend Commercial Stool Tests (Aka Microbiome Testing) Just Yet
📌 What the Science Says: This Dietitian's Honest Thoughts on Food Sensitivity Blood Tests
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Starting your day with intentional habits that support your gut and nervous system is key to bloat relief, managing IBS symptoms and a healthy bowel routine!
If you’re ready to support digestion by reducing cognitive overwhelm and setting your gut up for success (with routines you’ll actually stick to), this episode is for you!
⏱️ Chapters:
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
—
✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
👩🏻⚕️ Apply For Coaching
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Today, we’re exploring a topic that bridges the gap between your gut microbiome and your body goals: how your gut health can influence sports performance and body composition.
We know the gut microbiome plays a critical role in digestion and immunity — but emerging research is revealing its powerful impact on everything from how we build muscle, manage body fat, and recover from training, to how we perform during endurance activities and high-intensity workouts.
⏱️ Chapters:
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👤 Today’s Guest: Eric Williamson, PhD, RD, MSc, CSSD, CSCS
Eric Williamson, RD, PhD, is a leading expert in nutrition and metabolism. He holds a BA in Kinesiology and a BSc in Nutrition from Western University, and completed his MSc and PhD in Exercise Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Toronto. Eric has been a Registered Dietitian for over 10 years, and is also a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has worked with a wide range of individuals, from elite athletes to busy professionals, helping them optimize their health through evidence-based, personalized nutrition strategies.
Currently, Eric serves as the Director of Nutrition at Canyon Ranch, a premier health resort with multiple properties across the US.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Gut Microbiota and Exercise Performance
📌 Probiotics: It May Not All Be Positive
📌 Fibre: The Forgotten Carbohydrate in Sports Nutrition Recommendations
📌 Gut-Muscle AxisExists and May Affect Skeletal Muscle Adaptation to Training
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
In this episode, we address a listener's question about common bloating culprits like carbonated drinks, straws, and smoothies. We dive into the science behind bloating, distinguishing it from distension, and explores various causes such as gas-producing foods, constipation, and microbiome imbalances. We discuss practical advice on managing these triggers and emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches to gut health.
⏱️ Chapters:
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
—
✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
👩🏻⚕️ Apply For Coaching
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If you’ve been feeling frustrated, limited, or even afraid to move because of pelvic floor symptoms like leaking, urgency or pelvic pain — you’re not alone. These symptoms are common especially in those dealing with gastrointestinal issues like IBS, IBD and endometriosis. This episode will give you hope, validation, and the tools to start rebuilding trust in your body.
⏱️ Chapters:
👤 Today’s Guest: Courtenay Polock, APD
Joining me all the way from Australia is Courtenay Polock, Accredited Exercise Physiologist and founder of Her Exercise Physiology — a virtual clinic providing accessible, evidence-based care for women, with a special focus on pelvic health across the lifespan. Courtenay has extensive experience in helping women navigate endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, postpartum recovery, and more — and she’s here to share her expertise on how to build an intentional, supportive exercise plan that works with your body, not against it.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
👩🏻⚕️ Apply For Coaching
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, yet many still go years without answers. Symptoms can range from intense pelvic pain and painful periods to bloating, bowel and bladder issues, fatigue, infertility, and more.
And for those with IBS, it can be incredibly confusing to tease apart what’s gut-related and what might be something more. In today’s episode we will chat about what endometriosis is, the link with IBS and gut health, and how to seek support if you suspect you have endometriosis alongside gut issues.
⏱️ Chapters:
👤 Today’s Guest: Cindy Dabrowska, MAN RD
To help me break this all down today is Cindy Dabrowska, a registered dietitian, with a masters degree in applied human nutrition. She is an endowarrior and founder of The Supportive Endo RD, a private practice that uses medical nutrition therapy and functional medicine principles to support women with endometriosis and infertility.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
*Resources & Links Mentioned:*📌 Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analyses
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🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
👩🏻⚕️ Apply For Coaching
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Told to take digestive enzymes to help with your IBS, or combat meals you think might trigger your gut symptoms? Let’s dive into another listener question in this week’s episode! We discuss what digestive enzymes are, which ones are helpful for various intolerances (FODMAPs, lactose, etc.) and which you might want to consider (and skip!).
⏱️ Chapters:
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 FODZYME: Save 15% off your first order!
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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
🖥️ Shop the Resource Suite
👩🏻⚕️ Apply For Coaching
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!