Is Poor Food Breakdown Behind Your Gut Symptoms?
Bloating, reflux, loose stools, fatigue, and undigested food in the stool—these are all common symptoms I see in clinic. Often, they’re grouped under the vague umbrella of “IBS.” But this label doesn’t help us understand why the symptoms are happening, and without that clarity, it’s hard to make meaningful progress.
One of the most overlooked root causes? Impaired digestive capacity—put simply, your body isn’t breaking down food properly.
What I Assess in Clinic
When working with clients, I often utilise a comprehensive microbiome test to identify what’s really going on beneath the surface. Two digestive function markers I pay close attention to are:
Steatocrit – This measures fat in the stool. Elevated levels suggest that dietary fats aren’t being broken down efficiently, which is often linked to low bile output. This can also impact the absorption of vital fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Pancreatic Elastase – This reflects pancreatic enzyme output. Low levels mean the body isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes, impairing the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The result? Bloating, nutrient malabsorption, and gut inflammation.
Why This Matters
When food isn't properly digested, it moves through the small intestine undigested, setting the stage for opportunistic bacteria to thrive. Poor food breakdown often contributes to dysbiosis, inflammation, and a disrupted gut environment.
In practice, I’ve seen many clients with these digestive issues also experience:
Fatigue
Skin flare-ups
Hormonal imbalances
Autoimmune symptoms
Poor immune resilience
Nutrient deficiencies
And interestingly, some clients have no obvious gut symptoms—but their test results reveal poor digestion that’s affecting other systems in the body.
What Helps?
Supporting digestive function with the right tools—whether that’s digestive enzymes, gentle bitters, or bile support—can make a profound difference. Clients often report improvements in energy, digestion, and overall wellbeing within a few weeks.
Don’t guess—test. Your gut deserves more than trial and error. If you’ve been stuck trying to improve your digestion or overall health with limited success, it may be time to dig deeper.
Book a free 20-minute discovery call to find out if functional testing is right for you and your health journey!
