Resolve IBS and IBD Naturally

Episode 74: Is Sourdough Safe for IBS or IBD? The Truth About Wheat Sensitivity, Gluten, and Gut Inflammation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437692/fan_mail/new] If you’ve been told that sourdough is easier to digest or that it’s a safer option when you have IBS, IBD, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or gut inflammation, this episode is for you. In this episode of Resolve IBS and IBD Naturally, Courtney Cowie breaks down one of the most common misconceptions she hears from people struggling with digestive symptoms: that switching from regular bread to sourdough is enough to solve a wheat sensitivity problem. She explains why sourdough is still often a trigger, why many people with gut issues continue reacting to wheat in all forms, and why symptom patterns can be more complex than they seem. Courtney also explores how modern wheat differs from traditional wheat, how pesticides, mold, mycotoxins, and gut barrier damage may all contribute to immune reactivity, and why people with IBS or IBD often need a more complete approach than simply swapping one bread for another. If you’ve been wondering whether sourdough is actually okay for your gut, this episode will give you clarity. In This Episode, You’ll Learn * Why sourdough bread is not necessarily safe for people with IBS or IBD * The connection between wheat sensitivity, gut inflammation, and immune activation * Why modern wheat may be more problematic than many people realize * How glyphosate, mold, and mycotoxins may add to the burden on a weakened gut * Why you may not always feel an immediate reaction to wheat, even if it is still harming your body * Why food sensitivities often become clearer after a period of full elimination * How specialized testing can reveal ongoing immune reactivity to wheat peptides * Why going fully wheat-free for a period of time may be an important step in reducing symptoms Resources Mentioned If you’re trying to remove wheat from your diet but want help doing it thoroughly and successfully, check out Courtney’s mini course: How to Go Wheat-Free Successfully Mini Course This training walks you through hidden sources of wheat, common mistakes people make, and how to confidently reduce accidental exposures. Register here:  https://go.courtneycowie.com/payment-link/692df7d3bbe21907f0466fe8 [https://go.courtneycowie.com/payment-link/692df7d3bbe21907f0466fe8] Link to my free training “The Root Cause Approach to Gut Healing”—my step-by-step framework to stop guessing and start healing [https://vsl.courtneycowie.com/ibs-ibd-training-registration] Link to a free 30 minute Gut Check Call [https://gutcheckcall.courtneycowie.com/questionnaire] Link to my website [http://www.courtneycowie.com] Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

Episode 73: Wheat Sensitivity, IBS & IBD: Why Gluten Might Be Triggering Your Gut Symptoms (Even If You Tested Negative for Celiac)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437692/fan_mail/new] If you’re struggling with IBS, IBD, bloating, urgency, loose stools, or chronic digestive inflammation, one of the most overlooked root causes may be wheat sensitivity. But here’s the problem: many people are told wheat isn’t an issue simply because they tested negative for celiac disease. In this episode, functional nutrition practitioner Courtney Cowie, NTP, FDN-P, breaks down the critical differences between celiac disease, wheat allergy, and wheat sensitivity — and explains why wheat can still trigger digestive symptoms even when standard medical tests say everything is “normal.” This episode is the first in a 4-part series on wheat and gut health, where you’ll learn how wheat can silently drive inflammation, worsen IBS and IBD symptoms, and disrupt your immune system. Courtney also explains why many people believe they are wheat-free but are still getting hidden exposures that continue to trigger gut inflammation. If you’ve been dealing with chronic digestive symptoms that no one can explain, this episode will help you understand why wheat may still be playing a role — and what to do about it. In This Episode You'll Learn • The difference between celiac disease, wheat allergy, and wheat sensitivity • Why testing negative for celiac does NOT mean wheat isn’t affecting your gut • How wheat can trigger bloating, urgency, diarrhea, fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation • Why many people believe they are wheat-free but are still getting hidden exposures • How wheat sensitivities can contribute to autoimmune conditions and IBS/IBD symptoms • Why eliminating wheat alone sometimes doesn’t fully resolve symptoms • How keeping a food and symptom journal can help uncover hidden triggers Resources Mentioned If you suspect wheat may be contributing to your digestive symptoms but aren’t sure how to remove it successfully, Courtney created a step-by-step mini course to guide you. 👉 How to Go Wheat-Free Successfully Mini Course Learn how to identify hidden wheat exposures, avoid common mistakes, and remove wheat in a way that actually helps your gut heal. Access the mini course here:  https://go.courtneycowie.com/payment-link/692df7d3bbe21907f0466fe8 [https://go.courtneycowie.com/payment-link/692df7d3bbe21907f0466fe8] Link to my free training “The Root Cause Approach to Gut Healing”—my step-by-step framework to stop guessing and start healing [https://vsl.courtneycowie.com/ibs-ibd-training-registration] Link to a free 30 minute Gut Check Call [https://gutcheckcall.courtneycowie.com/questionnaire] Link to my website [http://www.courtneycowie.com] Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

Episode 72: Sluggish Liver Symptoms & Detox Myths, with Maria Horstmann

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437692/fan_mail/new] Is your liver really “sluggish”… or have detox trends just confused the conversation? In this grounded and myth-busting episode, Courtney sits down with Maria Horstmann to unpack what liver detoxification actually means — and why quick cleanses and extreme programs often miss the point. They explore the difference between true liver congestion and trendy detox culture, and explain why lasting liver health requires sustainable daily habits, not short-term restriction. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: * Common signs of sluggish liver function (fatigue, weight gain, PMS, cravings, brain fog, skin issues, odor sensitivity) * Why modern toxin exposure is higher than previous generations * How environmental pollutants impact liver detox pathways * The role of bile flow and dietary fat in proper detoxification * Why liver flushes and cleanses require preparation and professional guidance * The difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification * How stress impacts liver gene expression and hormone metabolism * Why alcohol, processed foods, and chronic stress compound congestion * How hydration, cruciferous vegetables, movement, and sweating support detox naturally * Why discipline + flexibility creates sustainable results * Holiday liver strategies that actually work Maria describes the liver as your body’s “metabolic COO” — regulating glucose, hormones, fat metabolism, and detoxification. When it’s overloaded, symptoms ripple through digestion, hormones, mood, and energy. Courtney and Maria also discuss: * Why many hormone “imbalances” are actually detox bottlenecks * How testing like the DUTCH can reveal detox pathway slowdowns * The importance of balanced nutrition (not extreme restriction) * The mindset shift required to move from quick fixes to long-term resilience This episode is especially relevant during the holiday season — when indulgence, alcohol, stress, and social obligations can strain metabolic capacity. You’ll walk away with a realistic, science-informed framework for supporting liver health — without falling into detox fads. Follow and connect with Maria on IG: @maria_horstmann_official Link to my free training “The Root Cause Approach to Gut Healing”—my step-by-step framework to stop guessing and start healing [https://vsl.courtneycowie.com/ibs-ibd-training-registration] Link to a free 30 minute Gut Check Call [https://gutcheckcall.courtneycowie.com/questionnaire] Link to my website [http://www.courtneycowie.com] Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

Episode 71: Hypnosis for IBS, Anxiety & Autoimmune Healing, with Juliana Sloane

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437692/fan_mail/new] What if healing your gut isn’t just about food, supplements, or antimicrobials — but about rewiring the brain? In this powerful conversation, Courtney sits down with hypnotherapist and meditation teacher Juliana Sloane to explore the science-backed connection between hypnosis, neuroplasticity, vagus nerve regulation, and chronic conditions like IBS, IBD, anxiety, chronic pain, and autoimmune disorders. Juliana shares how her personal journey through illness led her to modern hypnotherapy — and why hypnosis today looks nothing like outdated stage stereotypes. Instead, it’s a collaborative, neuroscience-informed process that helps shift entrenched neural pathways related to fear, pain, stress, and self-criticism. Together, Courtney and Juliana unpack how chronic stress physiology dampens vagus nerve tone, lowers digestive function, and perpetuates IBS and autoimmune flares — even when diet and supplements are dialed in. You’ll learn: * What hypnosis actually is (and isn’t) * How trance states support vagal tone and stress regulation * The role of neuroplasticity in shifting chronic symptom patterns * Why anxiety and IBS are so tightly linked * How hypnotherapy can transform long-standing fear around food and symptoms * The difference between guided hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis tools * A simple neuroscience-backed visualization technique to calm symptom flares * Why nervous system regulation is essential for lasting gut healing Courtney and Juliana also discuss media consumption, childhood self-criticism, and how unconscious belief patterns can quietly sabotage physical healing — even when someone is “doing everything right.” If you struggle with IBS, IBD, anxiety-driven flares, or autoimmune symptoms that worsen under stress, this episode will expand your understanding of the gut-brain connection — and offer practical, empowering tools to support real change. Connect with Juliana Sloane Website: https://julianasloane.com [https://julianasloane.com/] Free Gentle Hypnosis Meditation: https://julianasloane.com/free-hypnosis-recording [https://julianasloane.com/free-hypnosis-recording] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianasloane LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianasloane/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianasloane/] Link to my free training “The Root Cause Approach to Gut Healing”—my step-by-step framework to stop guessing and start healing [https://vsl.courtneycowie.com/ibs-ibd-training-registration] Link to a free 30 minute Gut Check Call [https://gutcheckcall.courtneycowie.com/questionnaire] Link to my website [http://www.courtneycowie.com] Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

Episode 70: Why “Doing Everything Right” Still Isn’t Working, with Jason Yun

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437692/fan_mail/new] What if your fatigue, gut flares, hormone issues, and “wired but tired” nights aren’t just about food… but about timing? In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Yun, a circadian rhythm and mitochondrial health coach (and former fitness studio owner) to talk about the often-missed foundations of health: light, sleep, and circadian signaling—and how modern indoor life quietly disrupts everything from digestion to hormones to mood. Jason shares his personal health breakdown—upside-down cortisol and melatonin patterns, sleep disruption, and hormonal chaos—and how it led him to completely pivot his career away from traditional fitness and nutrition… and into circadian rhythm work. If you’ve tried diets, supplements, and protocols but still feel stuck, this conversation will open up a whole new angle to consider. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * What circadian rhythm really is—and why it impacts sleep, digestion, hormones, energy, blood pressure, and bowel movements * Jason’s story: from gym owner + nutrition coach to chronic hormone disruption… and what helped him turn it around * Why mitochondrial health is at the center of energy (and why “eat better + exercise more” isn’t always enough) * The “3-legged stool” of health Jason uses: light, water, magnetism * The #1 habit for circadian alignment: seeing sunrise with your naked eyes * Why your eyes are the master circadian control center (hello, SCN / “master clock”) * Why we’re living backwards: dark days + bright nights (and why that’s a problem) * How indoor life contributes to circadian disruption—and the surprising “lux” truth even on cloudy days * How to start sunrise viewing if you’re sensitive to light (and what “blue light toxicity” looks like) * Why winter should change your routines (more sleep, less intensity, more recovery) * Jason’s take on SAD lamps, red light panels, and “biohacking” * How EMFs can affect health—and simple mitigation strategies (especially at night) * The dopamine connection: how sunlight supports dopamine (and why screens drain it) * Blue light blocking glasses 101 (day vs orange vs red lenses) * Why nasal breathing matters—and why mouth tape can be a powerful tool Jason Yun Links & Resources Improvement Warrior Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7fcvZdw1yT2VOJv6agr6Pi [https://open.spotify.com/show/7fcvZdw1yT2VOJv6agr6Pi] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/improvement-warrior-podcast/id1558708319 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/improvement-warrior-podcast/id1558708319] Recommended Episodes: * Winter Sun Log: Episode 71 * Summer Sun Log: Episode 80 * Cell Phones and Wireless Tech: Episode 54 * Leptin Webinars: Episode 55 Breath Webinar (YouTube) https://youtu.be/1ije5PzsGfE [https://youtu.be/1ije5PzsGfE] Improvement Warrior Newsletter http://www.improvementwarriorfitness.com/nl Link to my free training “The Root Cause Approach to Gut Healing”—my step-by-step framework to stop guessing and start healing [https://vsl.courtneycowie.com/ibs-ibd-training-registration] Link to a free 30 minute Gut Check Call [https://gutcheckcall.courtneycowie.com/questionnaire] Link to my website [http://www.courtneycowie.com] Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.