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Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
Digestive Health Guide
In this article, I’m going to be talking about gut health.
This is something very personal for me – I’ve struggled with gut issues since I was a teenager, and I wish I knew then what I’m going to share with you now. We’re going to be talking about the most common…
…and the most treatable…
…cause of gut health problems AND how to feel better and live well again.
Before we start talking about correcting gut health, let’s first talk about who this affects…
Did you know that studies show nearly 40% of adults suffer from something called a “functional gastrointestinal disorder”?
The real numbers showed 49% of women and 37% of men are suffering. That’s over 100 million people in the US! If this is you, you’re not alone.
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
Digestive Health Guide
Digestive Health Supplements
In this article, I’m going to be talking about gut health.
This is something very personal for me – I’ve struggled with gut issues since I was a teenager, and I wish I knew then what I’m going to share with you now. We’re going to be talking about the most common…
…and the most treatable…
…cause of gut health problems AND how to feel better and live well again.
Before we start talking about correcting gut health, let’s first talk about who this affects…
Did you know that studies show nearly 40% of adults suffer from something called a “functional gastrointestinal disorder”?
The real numbers showed 49% of women and 37% of men are suffering. That’s over 100 million people in the US! If this is you, you’re not alone.
In simple terms, functional Gastrointestinal Disorder (GI Disorder) isn’t a tumor or mass or something wrong in your blood. It’s a GI problem that is due to something not working right in your gut.
In the top sections of the GI tract this might include:
In the bottom sections of your GI you’ll have:
Research has also shown these problems to significantly impact the quality of life.
I’ve lived that…
I could tell you story after story of meals where I couldn’t eat what everyone else had at the table, or times when I gave in and ate it anyway and felt miserable for hours after. Or the worst situation…
…when I ate foods I thought were just fine . . . and I still felt bad after a meal.
Talk about frustrating!
I used to joke that my favorite diet was the one where you don’t eat anything but water and frozen water (ice) because those are the only foods that were safe.
That’s not living, and it’s certainly not Living Well. I know because I lived that way for years.
There are a lot of things that impact gut health, but in this guide, I’ll discuss:
This is what Living Well with Dr. Michelle is all about…
…combining information from modern medicine and the wisdom of our grandmothers to find real answers for problems we have today.
The first question I hear about gut health is, “What causes gut issues?”
This is a bit of a loaded question because gut problems can be the result of bacteria in food, parasites, infection, stress, chemicals in food and water, medications and more. With so many different possibilities, where do you start?
Let’s start where the food starts!
Food gets to the mouth and what does your mouth do – it starts to salivate.
That saliva has enzymes that start breaking down the food. As you swallow, the food travels down the esophagus and past a gate between the esophagus and the stomach.
When the food reaches it, the stomach should be full of acid to do three main things:
Once this acid has broken the food down, it signals two things:
We hear so much about stomach acid and how it’s the enemy . . . isn’t that what causes heartburn and pain?
You’ve seen all the commercials for antacids on TV with someone holding their chest in misery…
Surprise! The acid is actually what helps you digest and absorb nutrients from your food.
Without enough stomach acid, you:
Basically, low stomach acid destroys a major part of your ability to digest your food. You don’t absorb nutrients as the partially digested molecules cannot pass through the intestinal wall.
Now you are protein, mineral, and vitamin deficient (especially Vitamin B12).
What is the most common thing to take if you have heartburn and other digestive issues?
An antacid like Tums that dilutes the stomach acid, or a class of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). You’ve heard of these drugs. Some common names are Omeprazole (which is Prilosec), Nexium, and Prevacid. You can get these over the counter now….
But what do they do? They block and reduce the production of stomach acid.
Research shows that up to 90% of heartburn and acid reflux is caused by too little stomach acid.
These drugs shut off the last bit of acid you are producing and the problems I just talked about increase. You stop absorbing food.
And, bonus, with prolonged use (over 12 months) of these acid inhibitors and blockers, you are up to 800 TIMES more likely to develop an intestinal infection like (SIBO) or C. Dif.
You also increase your chance of developing pneumonia by up to 160%, bone fractures go up by up to 300%…
…and stomach cancer goes up by nearly 250%!
These medicines don’t fix the root problem, and they lead to serious issues.
Gut issues like stomach pain, bloating, food sensitivities, acid reflux and constipation can make you feel miserable. There are so many over the counter medications, folk remedies and even prescription drugs that you can take for your gut, but what is the real cause of the problem and what should you do or use to get lasting relief?
Often the problems start in the stomach. The acid in the stomach is essential for proper digestion, and too little acid is the frequent cause of many digestive problems you and others suffer with.
When you don’t have enough stomach acid, the digestive process slows or stops and the food ferments rather than being digested. This starts a cascade of problems as the food makes its way down the digestive tract.
Food is broken down in the stomach and it takes stomach acid, along with enzymes, to make this happen.
The acid:
If the acid levels are too low, your food won’t be prepared to be absorbed in the intestines. This leads to nutritional deficiencies, stomach and GI pain and problems, tooth and bone weakness, and food sensitivities.
Stomach acid is turned off when the body is in stress mode. Think about it…
When you have to speak in front of a crowd or when you are worried about a test or something happening with a loved one, your mouth goes dry. This is a natural response to stress.
Your stomach also stops making acid. What can push the body into this mode?
Emotional and mental stress – yes…
…but also infection (often in your mouth), chemicals in the food and water and environment, heavy metals in the body (also from the mouth!), poor sleep, and more.
This is why I talk so much about this problem – dental infections, heavy metals, and sleep obstructions are some of the leading causes of low stomach acid.
Common causes of low stomach acid:
How do you know if you are experiencing poor stomach acid function?
Along with the gut-specific symptoms we’ve talked about, a large majority of health problems can be traced back to your gut as well. Symptoms can you expect if you have too little acid:
This simple “Baking Soda Test” will give you a quick way to see if this may be your problem. This test can be done at home and is best done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Watch the video below for more instructions or keep reading…
This test shows your stomach acid levels, which can greatly influence your stomach activity and the way your digestive tract operates.
How the test works: Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid, which is necessary to digest food. The baking soda solution you will be drinking reacts with the acid to produce carbon dioxide gas. The amount of gas produced depends upon the amount of acid in your stomach and will show up as a BURP.
How to take the test:
You will see results on day 1, but you can repeat this test for 3-4 consecutive days (or longer) at the same time each day to give a better estimation of your stomach’s acidity
What Do These Results Mean?
*If you did not burp within 2-3 minutes, you most likely have too little stomach acid. This is making it hard for your stomach to digest food.
Time Until First Burp
This leads to:
There are three phases of care to correct the problem:
*This is only necessary if you tested and found you have low stomach acid*
Treats the Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid Including Poor Absorption and Acid Reflux
HCL Digest contains Betaine HCL and Digestive Enzymes.
This product will help you digest food and break apart proteins. Take with every meal and supplement until the cause of the low acid has been corrected.
Instructions for use:
Always take HCL Digest either halfway through the meal or right at the end of the meal. Taking it before a meal may create something that feels like heartburn and can turn off stomach acid production for that meal. When you feel warmth in your stomach that’s enough.
Caution: Do not take HCL if you are taking any medications like ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin.
Q: Can I use lemon juice or vinegar before a meal to help the symptoms of indigestion?
A: These don’t actually help the digestion of food. They only improve the symptoms. To improve digestion, you have to supplement with the acid.
Q: How long do I need to take this?
A: Until you retest with the baking soda test and burp within the normal time frame.
While you are working to heal your gut, you may still have discomfort…
…Gut Soothe is a wonderful plant-based solution for relief.
Emergency Relief of Irritated Bowel Symptoms When You Need Fast Acting Relief
This is a fast-acting, chewable formula of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)
It helps to support the body’s natural inflammatory response to various foods or medications and, therefore, may help protect the gut lining. Licorice also produces a soothing coat on the throat, stomach, and intestines, and helps maintain a healthy bacterial environment in the stomach.
Instructions for use:
Gut Soothe is my go-to emergency relief. Take Gut Soothe if you have discomfort before, during, or after a meal. The relief is nearly immediate, and Gut Soothe helps heal and regulate the gut so you stop having gut pain.
This is meant to be used only as needed when you need short-term relief.
Our bodies rely on all sorts of microorganisms to keep things working and keep us healthy. If you have a gut problem, you most likely have a gut microorganism problem…
If you have low stomach acid, have taken antibiotics, have been sick, or struggle with digestive function from top to bottom . . . you need to repopulate your gut with helpful probiotics.
Probiotics are the good bacteria that you ACTUALLY WANT in your system. They support healthy body systems from your mouth to your gut and help control harmful microorganisms. And the key to your long-term health, probiotics can also aid digestion and improve nutrient absorption.
There are scores of strains of probiotics in our gut, and they serve different purposes. In the following two products, the most helpful probiotics have been selected to:
…and more.
*Gut Health and Gut Rebuild work best together.
Repopulates the gut with healthy bacteria
This very effective product Includes a special strain of yeast called S. boulardii . Even though the majority of probiotics are bacterial, some yeasts are good for your health because they are able to combat infections and reduce symptoms.
The yeasts in Gut Defense protect the intestinal lining from harmful bacteria and increase the production of digestive enzymes, which help break down dietary sugars.
This action improves the absorption of water and nutrients in your small intestine, so you can get more nutrition and hydration from the foods you eat.
Benefits of Gut Health:
Rebuilds the gut to its healthy state with healthy bacteria
Laboratory and clinical testing has shown Gut Health to be most beneficial when used alongside bacterial probiotic strains. Gut Rebuild contains 10 of the most highly researched probiotic strains. These are potent probiotics that can reestablish a healthy microbial balance.
Benefits of Gut Rebuild:
Rebuilds and heals the stomach lining and helps to promote the bodies natural GI repair process
Contains l-glutamine, MSM, licorice, aloe, marshmallow, okra, cat’s claw supports healthy GI function and promotes natural repair
Has the Same Formula as the Capsules, but Delivered in Powder Form
Gut Well is made from amino acids, plant extracts, and minerals to rebuild and maintain. It contains:
Gut Health is the foundation for life. Food enters is metabolized, absorbed, and utilized for energy and nutrition. If the digestive processes don’t work properly, the body simply can’t work properly either.
If you’ve made it this far then congratulations! You’re already on your way to better gut health through your education.
The steps I recommend everyone takes are:
Step 1: Do the Baking Soda Test to Determine If You Have Low Stomach Acid
Do this first to determine if you have low stomach acid. If you do have low stomach I recommend getting HCL Digest to help you digest your food and supplements properly so you can start your healing process.
If you often have severe gut pain and feel lousy after eating I’d recommend getting Gut Soothe to help with emergency relief and to give you short-term relief.
Step 2: Rebuild and Rebalance the Healthy Bacteria in Your Gut
This is the first phase of fixing your GI problems instead of just treating your symptoms.
I recommend taking Gut Health and Gut Rebuild in combination to repopulate your gut with the good kind of bacteria and to help promote your body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Step 3: Rebuild and Heal the Lining of your GI Tract
Find my Gut Health Supplements below to begin the process of healing your gut and Living Well!
In simple terms, functional Gastrointestinal Disorder (GI Disorder) isn’t a tumor or mass or something wrong in your blood. It’s a GI problem that is due to something not working right in your gut.
In the top sections of the GI tract this might include:
In the bottom sections of your GI you’ll have:
Research has also shown these problems to significantly impact the quality of life.
I’ve lived that…
I could tell you story after story of meals where I couldn’t eat what everyone else had at the table, or times when I gave in and ate it anyway and felt miserable for hours after. Or the worst situation…
…when I ate foods I thought were just fine . . . and I still felt bad after a meal.
Talk about frustrating!
I used to joke that my favorite diet was the one where you don’t eat anything but water and frozen water (ice) because those are the only foods that were safe.
That’s not living, and it’s certainly not Living Well. I know because I lived that way for years.
There are a lot of things that impact gut health, but in this guide, I’ll discuss:
This is what Living Well with Dr. Michelle is all about…
…combining information from modern medicine and the wisdom of our grandmothers to find real answers for problems we have today.
The first question I hear about gut health is, “What causes gut issues?”
This is a bit of a loaded question because gut problems can be the result of bacteria in food, parasites, infection, stress, chemicals in food and water, medications and more. With so many different possibilities, where do you start?
Let’s start where the food starts!
Food gets to the mouth and what does your mouth do – it starts to salivate.
That saliva has enzymes that start breaking down the food. As you swallow, the food travels down the esophagus and past a gate between the esophagus and the stomach.
When the food reaches it, the stomach should be full of acid to do three main things:
Once this acid has broken the food down, it signals two things:
We hear so much about stomach acid and how it’s the enemy . . . isn’t that what causes heartburn and pain?
You’ve seen all the commercials for antacids on TV with someone holding their chest in misery…
Surprise! The acid is actually what helps you digest and absorb nutrients from your food.
Without enough stomach acid, you:
Basically, low stomach acid destroys a major part of your ability to digest your food. You don’t absorb nutrients as the partially digested molecules cannot pass through the intestinal wall.
Now you are protein, mineral, and vitamin deficient (especially Vitamin B12).
What is the most common thing to take if you have heartburn and other digestive issues?
An antacid like Tums that dilutes the stomach acid, or a class of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). You’ve heard of these drugs. Some common names are Omeprazole (which is Prilosec), Nexium, and Prevacid. You can get these over the counter now….
But what do they do? They block and reduce the production of stomach acid.
Research shows that up to 90% of heartburn and acid reflux is caused by too little stomach acid.
These drugs shut off the last bit of acid you are producing and the problems I just talked about increase. You stop absorbing food.
And, bonus, with prolonged use (over 12 months) of these acid inhibitors and blockers, you are up to 800 TIMES more likely to develop an intestinal infection like (SIBO) or C. Dif.
You also increase your chance of developing pneumonia by up to 160%, bone fractures go up by up to 300%…
…and stomach cancer goes up by nearly 250%!
These medicines don’t fix the root problem, and they lead to serious issues.
Gut issues like stomach pain, bloating, food sensitivities, acid reflux and constipation can make you feel miserable. There are so many over the counter medications, folk remedies and even prescription drugs that you can take for your gut, but what is the real cause of the problem and what should you do or use to get lasting relief?
Often the problems start in the stomach. The acid in the stomach is essential for proper digestion, and too little acid is the frequent cause of many digestive problems you and others suffer with.
When you don’t have enough stomach acid, the digestive process slows or stops and the food ferments rather than being digested. This starts a cascade of problems as the food makes its way down the digestive tract.
Food is broken down in the stomach and it takes stomach acid, along with enzymes, to make this happen.
The acid:
If the acid levels are too low, your food won’t be prepared to be absorbed in the intestines. This leads to nutritional deficiencies, stomach and GI pain and problems, tooth and bone weakness, and food sensitivities.
Stomach acid is turned off when the body is in stress mode. Think about it…
When you have to speak in front of a crowd or when you are worried about a test or something happening with a loved one, your mouth goes dry. This is a natural response to stress.
Your stomach also stops making acid. What can push the body into this mode?
Emotional and mental stress – yes…
…but also infection (often in your mouth), chemicals in the food and water and environment, heavy metals in the body (also from the mouth!), poor sleep, and more.
This is why I talk so much about this problem – dental infections, heavy metals, and sleep obstructions are some of the leading causes of low stomach acid.
Common causes of low stomach acid:
How do you know if you are experiencing poor stomach acid function?
Along with the gut-specific symptoms we’ve talked about, a large majority of health problems can be traced back to your gut as well. Symptoms can you expect if you have too little acid:
This simple “Baking Soda Test” will give you a quick way to see if this may be your problem. This test can be done at home and is best done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Watch the video below for more instructions or keep reading…
This test shows your stomach acid levels, which can greatly influence your stomach activity and the way your digestive tract operates.
How the test works: Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid, which is necessary to digest food. The baking soda solution you will be drinking reacts with the acid to produce carbon dioxide gas. The amount of gas produced depends upon the amount of acid in your stomach and will show up as a BURP.
How to take the test:
You will see results on day 1, but you can repeat this test for 3-4 consecutive days (or longer) at the same time each day to give a better estimation of your stomach’s acidity
What Do These Results Mean?
*If you did not burp within 2-3 minutes, you most likely have too little stomach acid. This is making it hard for your stomach to digest food.
Time Until First Burp
This leads to:
There are three phases of care to correct the problem:
*This is needed if you tested and found you have low stomach acid*
Treats the Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid Including Poor Absorption and Acid Reflux
HCL Digest contains Betaine HCL and Digestive Enzymes.
This product will help you digest food and break apart proteins. Take with every meal and supplement until the cause of the low acid has been corrected.
Instructions for use:
Always take HCL Digest either halfway through the meal or right at the end of the meal. Taking it before a meal may create something that feels like heartburn and can turn off stomach acid production for that meal. When you feel warmth in your stomach that’s enough.
Caution: Do not take HCL if you are taking any medications like ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin.
Q: Can I use lemon juice or vinegar before a meal to help the symptoms of indigestion?
A: These don’t actually help the digestion of food. They only improve the symptoms. To improve digestion, you have to supplement with the acid.
Q: How long do I need to take this?
A: Until you retest with the baking soda test and burp within the normal time frame.
While you are working to heal your gut, you may still have discomfort…
…Gut Soothe is a wonderful plant-based solution for relief.
Fast Acting Relief of Irritated Bowel Symptoms
This is a fast-acting, chewable formula of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)
It helps to support the body’s natural inflammatory response to various foods or medications and, therefore, may help protect the gut lining. Licorice also produces a soothing coat on the throat, stomach, and intestines, and helps maintain a healthy bacterial environment in the stomach.
Instructions for use:
Gut Soothe is my go-to for emergency relief. Take Gut Soothe if you have discomfort before, during, or after a meal. The relief is nearly immediate, and Gut Soothe helps heal and regulate the gut so you stop having gut pain.
This is meant to be used as needed anytime you need short-term relief.
Our bodies rely on all sorts of microorganisms to keep things working and keep us healthy. If you have a gut problem, you most likely have a gut microorganism problem…
If you have low stomach acid, have taken antibiotics, have been sick, or struggle with digestive function from top to bottom . . . you need to repopulate your gut with helpful probiotics.
Probiotics are the good bacteria and yeast that you ACTUALLY WANT in your system. They support healthy body systems from your mouth to your gut and help control harmful microorganisms. And the key to your long-term health, probiotics can also aid digestion and improve nutrient absorption.
There are scores of strains of probiotics in our gut, and they serve different purposes. In the following two products, the most helpful probiotics have been selected to:
…and more.
*Gut Health and Gut Rebuild work best together.
Repopulates the gut with healthy probiotic yeast
This very effective product Includes a special strain of yeast called S. boulardii . Even though the majority of probiotics are bacterial, this yeast has been shown to be great for gut health by reducing symptoms and improving your immune health.
The yeasts in Gut Defense protect the intestinal lining from harmful bacteria and increase the production of digestive enzymes, which help break down dietary sugars.
This action improves the absorption of water and nutrients in your small intestine, so you can get more nutrition and hydration from the foods you eat.
Benefits of Gut Health:
Rebuilds the gut to its healthy state with healthy bacteria
Laboratory and clinical testing has shown Gut Health to be most beneficial when used alongside bacterial probiotic strains. Gut Rebuild contains 10 of the most highly researched probiotic strains. These are potent probiotics that can reestablish a healthy microbial balance.
Benefits of Gut Rebuild:
Rebuilds and heals the stomach lining and helps to promote the bodies’ natural GI repair process
Contains l-glutamine, MSM, licorice, aloe, marshmallow, okra, cat’s claw to support healthy GI function and promote natural repair.
The Same Formula as the Capsules, but Delivered in Powder Form
Gut Well is made from amino acids, plant extracts, and minerals to rebuild and maintain. It contains:
Gut Health is the foundation for life. Food enters is metabolized, absorbed, and utilized for energy and nutrition. If the digestive processes don’t work properly, the body simply can’t work properly either.
If you’ve made it this far then congratulations! You’re already on your way to better gut health through your education.
The steps I recommend everyone take are:
Step 1: Do the Baking Soda Test to See If You Have Low Stomach Acid ( replace acid and relieve symptoms as needed)
Do this first to determine if you have low stomach acid. If you do have low stomach I recommend getting HCL Digest to help you digest your food and supplements properly so you can start your healing process.
If you often have severe gut pain and feel lousy after eating I’d recommend getting Gut Soothe to help with emergency relief.
Step 2: Repopulate the Healthy Microbes in Your Gut ( 1-3 months)
This is the first phase to start fixing your GI problems instead of just treating your symptoms.
I recommend taking Gut Health and Gut Rebuild in combination to repopulate your gut with the good kind of bacteria and yeast, and to restore good digestion, elimination and immune health.
Step 3: Restore and Heal the Lining of your GI Tracts for Long Term Wellness (3-6 months)
Find my Gut Health Supplements below to begin the process of healing your gut and Living Well!
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
Digestive Health Guide
Digestive Health Supplements
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