If you’ve been eating all the “right” foods and trying all the gut healing supplements, but still find yourself bloated, you’re not alone. Many of my clients come to me frustrated, having tried elimination diets, supplements, or even medications—yet nothing seems to fully resolve their symptoms.

That’s because bloating is a symptom, not a root cause. The key is identifying why it’s happening in the first place. It’s almost impossible to figure out the root cause of bloating or IBS just on symptoms alone. Multiple things can cause bloating. So maybe for one person, a probiotic would help, but for someone else, it would make symptoms worse. Through functional stool and gut testing in my practice, I’ve found there are four main root causes of bloating.

1. Low Good Bacteria

Our gut microbiome needs a balance of beneficial bacteria to support digestion, immunity, and even brain health. When you hear about how important and amazing our gut microbiome is, these are the bacteria they are talking about.

Potential causes of low good bacteria:

• Antibiotics, especially if long-term or as a baby/toddler
• Stress
• Alcohol
• Inflammatory foods
• Potentially connected with c-section births and babies who were not breastfed
• Growing up in an over-sanitized environment

For clients with low gut bacteria, targeted probiotics and very slowly increasing fiber can often help restore balance and decrease symptoms.

2. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

SIBO happens when bacteria overgrow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong. We want a large amount of bacteria in the colon, but a smaller amount of bacteria in the small intestine. These bacteria ferment foods that aren’t fully digested yet, especially carbohydrates and fibers, leading to gas, bloating, and discomfort.

Potential causes of SIBO:

• Antibiotics
• Grazing on food throughout the day
• Food poisoning/stomach bug
• Stress
• Structural issues in the GI tract
• Low immunity in the gut
• Other microbiome imbalances (parasites, yeast, etc)

For people with SIBO, probiotics and fiber powders are generally not recommended. I make custom supplements and food protocols to heal from SIBO.

3. Maldigestion

If your body isn’t breaking down fats, proteins, or carbs properly, undigested food particles reach the gut and bacteria ferment them, releasing gases—causing bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.

Potential causes of maldigestion

• Rushing when eating
• Stuck in fight/flight mode
• SIBO, yeast, or other bacterial imbalances
• Liver/gallbladder issues
• Slow thyroid
• Inflammation in the gut

For people with maldigestion, supporting digestion with bitter herbs, digestive enzymes, and addressing other issues in the gut helps to resolve bloating.

4. Yeast Overgrowth

Yeast in the gut can produce symptoms like bloating, but it’s also linked with yeast infections, oral thrush, dandruff, or skin rashes. Some people also experience anxiety, brain fog, and other symptoms with yeast.

Potential causes of yeast

• Antibiotics
• Low good gut bacteria
• Consuming lots of added sugars
• Toxins in the body, like mercury or mold/mycotoxins

For people with yeast, a multifaceted approach with herbal antifungals, targeted probiotic strains, and addressing potential toxins in the body is needed to fully eradicate yeast.

Why Testing Matters

Causes for bloating often overlap, and what helps one root cause (like probiotics) may make another worse (like SIBO). That’s why guessing and trying protocols without testing first doesn’t help bloating or make bloating worse.

Functional stool testing helps pinpoint exactly what’s going on, so you can follow a plan that’s specific to your body.

If bloating is holding you back, remember: you don’t have to guess. With the right testing, you can uncover the root cause and finally find relief.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or supplement regimen.