You’ve Tried Everything for Your Gut—But Have You Tried This?

A Deeper Look at What Might Be Causing Your Lingering Gut Issues (and Body Odor)

Have you been drinking more water? Eating more fiber? Cutting out sugar and processed food? Maybe even taking probiotics and moving your body regularly, but still dealing with gut issues, bloating, or even body odor?

If so, I see you. And I know how frustrating it feels to be doing “everything right” and still not getting answers.

That tells me two things:

✅ You’re committed. There might be deeper root causes that basic gut checklists don’t cover.

Let’s walk through some lesser-known but powerful gut health factors that often get missed—and could be the missing pieces in your healing journey with Functional Medicine Los Angeles.

1. The Gut-Brain Connection: Are You Chronically Stressed?

Even the cleanest diet can’t offset the damage that chronic stress causes to your digestive system. When your body is in a constant stress state, it releases cortisol—a hormone that:

1. Slows digestion
2. Increases gut permeability (aka “leaky gut”)
3. Alters your gut flora

Result? Food doesn’t digest properly. It ferments in your gut, causing gas, bloating, and unpleasant odors. If you’re near the valley, functional medicine Sherman Oaks offers holistic stress-based digestion support and solutions for long-term relief.

Try This:

1. Do 5 minutes of slow belly breathing after meals
2. Try journaling or a short meditation before bed
3. Avoid eating when angry, anxious, or upset

2. Bad Bacteria or Yeast Overgrowth (Like Candida)

If you’ve tried all the gut basics but still have symptoms like:

1. Rotten egg burps
2. Smelly gas
3. Coating on your tongue
4. Cravings for sweets or carbs
5. Brain fog or acne

…you may be dealing with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or Candida overgrowth. These imbalances won’t go away with fiber and probiotics alone. They need targeted healing protocols.

Consider asking your provider about:

1. A stool test to look for infections and imbalances
2. A SIBO breath test
3. A candida protocol (often includes anti-fungal foods and supplements, and going temporarily sugar-free)

3. Poor Stomach Acid (Not What You’d Expect)

Surprise: You might have too little stomach acid—not too much. This means your body can’t break down food efficiently, especially proteins. Instead, your food starts to rot and ferment in your gut.

Symptoms of low stomach acid:

1. Bloating after meals
2. Gas or burping within an hour of eating
3. Feeling full quickly
4. Undigested food in your stool
5. Needing to drink water to “wash food down”

At Functional Medicine Los Angeles, we work with clients to assess digestion beyond surface-level symptoms and restore stomach acid balance naturally.

Try This:

1. 1 tsp apple cider vinegar in water before meals (skip if you have GERD or ulcers)
2. Add bitter greens like arugula or dandelion before meals
3. Avoid eating while distracted

4. Hidden Food Intolerances or Histamine Overload

You may be reacting to “healthy” foods like:

1. Avocados
2. Spinach
3. Eggs
4. Fermented foods
5. Aged meats or leftovers

These are high in histamine, which some people struggle to break down. Too much histamine can cause:

1. Body odor
2. Skin rashes or itchiness
3. Fatigue
4. Headaches
5. Digestive issues

Try This:

1. Try a 5–7 day low-histamine diet
2. Avoid leftovers and aged foods
3. Talk to a provider about DAO enzyme supplements

5. Detox Pathways May Be Blocked

If your liver or lymphatic system isn’t clearing out toxins efficiently (from meds, processed foods, mold, or even past infections), your body may try to eliminate them through your skin or breath, causing odor and inflammation.

Supporting detoxification through functional nutrition and daily rituals can make a major difference in your gut health outcomes.

Support your detox organs naturally:

1. Drink warm lemon water in the morning
2. Try dry brushing before your shower
3. Get in gentle daily movement (walks or sauna)
4. Add detoxifying herbs like cilantro and parsley to your meals

Still Struggling? You Might Need a Custom Gut Plan

If you’ve followed every checklist and still feel stuck, it’s time to go beyond the basics.

You may need:

1. A symptom-based checklist to identify your true root cause
2. A custom meal plan (SIBO-safe, Candida-clearing, or histamine-lowering)
3. A supplement protocol with digestive enzymes, binders, bitters, or probiotics

You don’t have to keep guessing. Healing your gut takes more than a generic approach. Let’s build you a personalized, root-cause-focused plan—so your body can finally do what it’s designed to: digest, detox, and thrive.

Need help mapping it out? I can help you create a deeper healing plan and walk with you step by step. Just say the word.