Gut health: where most of our work begins
Reviewed by the naturopathic team at Nourishing Apothecary, led by Jaime Chew.
Most of our clients walk into clinic with a gut story, even if they've come for something else. That's because digestion sits underneath nearly every aspect of how you feel: energy, mood, hormones, immunity, skin, even fertility. Our gut health articles are where we share what's really going on in there, and what to do about it.
Slow-simmered bone broth for gut and immunity
The simplest gut-healing food we know, and why we recommend it daily.
You are what you absorb
Eating well isn't enough if your gut can't actually absorb what you're putting in.
Why your gut matters more in perimenopause
The hormonal shifts that change your digestion, and what helps when symptoms appear.
5 signs your child's gut needs support
Common signals parents miss, and the gentle naturopathic steps that help.
You'll find practical, naturopath-led writing on bloating, IBS, the microbiome, food sensitivities, leaky gut and gut-healing recipes. We link to the supplements, foods and tests we genuinely reach for, including Best of the Bone broths, ATP Science GutRight, the probiotic strains we trust like Qiara and digestive enzymes for clients who need them. If your gut feels off, this is a good place to start.
Frequently asked
Questions we hear in clinic
What does naturopathic gut healing actually involve?
Naturopathic gut healing usually follows a structured process. We identify what's driving the issue (food sensitivities, dysbiosis, infections, low stomach acid), remove the irritants, repair the gut lining with nutrients like glutamine and zinc and rebuild a healthy microbiome with the right strains of probiotics and fermented foods. It's rarely one supplement on its own.
Can gut health affect my hormones?
Yes, deeply. The gut is where you process and clear used hormones, particularly oestrogen. A disrupted microbiome (or constipation) means oestrogen gets reabsorbed instead of cleared, which can drive PMS, painful periods and oestrogen dominance symptoms. Gut health and hormone health are inseparable.
How long does it take to heal your gut?
It depends on what's driving the issue, but a typical gut protocol runs three to six months. Some symptoms (like bloating) often improve in the first few weeks. Deeper repair (restoring the lining and rebalancing the microbiome) takes longer.
Do I need a gut microbiome test?
Not always. For many gut concerns we can start working without testing. But if you've had ongoing issues, multiple practitioners or symptoms that don't fit a clear pattern, a comprehensive stool test gives us a much clearer map. We use functional testing in clinic when it'll change the plan.
More from the journal
Healthy Sweet Potato Salmon Patties
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IBS Symptoms Explained: What Causes Bloating, Food Sensitivities and Gut Inflammation
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