If you’ve been dealing with reflux, bloating, constipation, or even anxiety and can’t figure out why, histamines might be part of the picture. In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Shapiro, RD, to break down the connection between histamine intolerance, MCAS, and gut symptoms and why so many people feel worse with standard gut protocols.

Michelle and I discuss:

• What histamine intolerance really is and how it overlaps with MCAS
• The wide range of symptoms histamine issues can cause (and why they’re often missed)
• How the gut, DAO enzyme, and microbiome influence histamine balance
• Why nervous system support is just as important as gut support
• Practical steps you can take if you suspect histamine intolerance

Michelle also shares her personal journey with histamines, mold exposure, and POTS and how slowing down and supporting safety in the body can be a turning point for healing.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Gupta Program (free 28 day trial with this link)
  
  
• Michelle’s Histamine Essentials Webinar
  
  
• Michelle's Sept 28th Webinar
  
  
• Michelle’s Website
  
  
• Michelle’s Instagram
  
  

Stay Connected with Dr. Heather:

• Follow on Instagram
  
  
• Visit the Website
  
  

About Michelle: Michelle Shapiro, RD is a functional/ integrative Registered Dietitian who has helped over 3,000 clients transform their health over the past 11 years. As the founder of an NYC-based virtual private practice, Michelle leads a team of six expert nutritionists who specialize in complex cases including histamine issues, gut dysfunction, chronic anxiety, and weight concerns. She is the creator of the viral Histamine Essentials Webinar, which is available now on replay, and the host of the top-rated podcast Quiet the Diet, where she breaks down the science behind chronic illness in a way that actually makes sense and makes you feel seen. Michelle is the go-to expert for people who have tried everything and are ready for a real plan.

Have you ever told yourself, “It’s not that bad , I’ll deal with it later” when it comes to your gut symptoms (or anything?)?

I get it because I did the same thing. For years, I brushed off my bloating, constipation, and fatigue, hoping they’d go away. But ignoring those whispers from my gut eventually led to bigger problems: SIBO, Hashimoto’s, a slowed metabolism, and histamine issues.

Here’s the truth: your symptoms aren’t random. They’re signals & your gut waving a red flag asking for support. When you ignore them, they snowball into more complicated issues that are harder (and more expensive) to fix down the road.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• How ignoring “small” gut symptoms can turn into bigger health issues
• The snowball effect of reflux, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea
• Why functional medicine isn’t just about supplements
• My personal journey of what happened when I didn’t listen to my gut
• Why your symptoms are signals, not something to fear

And for the very first time, I’m offering something brand new: the Gut Health Audit.

👉 This is the most affordable way to get eyes on your case! Just $89! You’ll complete a comprehensive intake form, and I’ll personally review it to identify the gaps in your care, highlight patterns, and share your next steps. Whether that’s with us in gutTogether® or something totally different, you’ll finally have clarity on what to do next.

But spots are limited, only 20 spots are available (and as a podcast listener you're the first to hear about it!)

Connect with Dr. Heather

Instagram

gutTogether program website

Have you tried all the gut-healing protocols, supplements, and diets, but you’re still constipated, bloated, or exhausted? You’re not alone, and the reason you’re stuck may not be what you think.

In this episode of the Love Your Gut podcast, I’m sharing the overlooked foundations that can make or break your gut healing journey. These aren’t the flashy, “quick-fix” solutions you see all over social media, but they’re the simple, powerful pieces that actually help your gut recover.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why eating the same 5–10 foods can cause dysbiosis, leaky gut, and food reactions.
• How mineral depletion keeps you stuck in a cycle of low energy, hormone imbalances, and poor motility.
• Why low stomach acid, enzyme output, and bile flow can trigger infections like H. pylori and recurrent SIBO.
• The connection between nervous system dysregulation and low secretory IgA, reflux, and constipation.
• Practical steps you can start using today to finally support your gut the way it needs.

If you’ve been “doing everything right” and not feeling better, one of these missing pieces may be the reason.

Resources and Links:

📥 Grab my free mineral guide to start rebuilding your foundation today

💻 Want personalized support? Learn more and apply to the gutTogether program here

➡️ For more tips, follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Have you ever tried a “Candida diet” or an antifungal supplement only to find yourself right back where you started? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about Candida overgrowth and why diet or antifungals alone don’t solve the problem. Candida isn’t something you can just starve or kill into submission, the real key is fixing the terrain that allowed it to grow in the first place.

In this episode I cover:

• Why Candida is part of a normal gut microbiome (and when it becomes a problem)
• Myths that keep people stuck like “starving Candida” with diet or relying on antifungals
• The real root causes of Candida overgrowth, including blood sugar imbalances and depleted commensals
• Why Candida is so hard to detect on stool testing and other testing options
• Practical strategies to support digestion, motility, and minerals so Candida doesn’t keep coming back

Whether you’ve struggled with Candida symptoms for years or you’re a practitioner supporting clients, this episode will help you shift from the endless Candida-killing cycle to building a resilient gut terrain.

💡 Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Take the free "Why Am I Bloated" Quiz
• Learn more about gutPractitioner™: my 4-month mentorship for dietitians and health professionals
• Connect with me on Instagram @drheatherfinley

You’ve done the SIBO antibiotics. Maybe even two or three times.
But you’re still bloated, still stuck on five “safe” foods, and wondering…
“Why isn’t this working?”

In the final episode of this SIBO mini-series, Dr. Heather shares 3 real client stories that show that SIBO recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Each client had the same diagnosis on paper, but needed a completely different plan to actually feel better.

If you’ve been told “you’re fine” despite ongoing symptoms, or you’re burnt out from restrictive protocols that go nowhere, this episode is your reminder: there’s a better way.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Why killing bacteria isn’t enough—and what to do instead
✔️ How mineral depletion, bile flow, and scar tissue can stall healing
✔️ What true gut repair looks like after a SIBO protocol
✔️ The difference between managing symptoms and rebuilding resilience
✔️ Why your recovery plan should start with you, not the diagnosis

If these stories resonate, you’re not alone, and there is hope for healing.

Resources & Links:

🔍 Take the Free Gut Health Quiz to start identifying your root causes
📝 Apply for 1:1 support through gutTogether®

📲 Connect with Dr. Heather on Instagram

🎁 Special Giveaway:
Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify, screenshot it, and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST RATING] in the subject line.
You'll be entered to win a FREE HTMA test + consult package!

(We pick a new winner every month!)

If you’ve ever been told your only options for a thyroid condition are medication, surgery, radioactive iodine, or a restrictive diet… this conversation will open your eyes to what’s possible when you focus on root causes.

I’m joined by Dr. Eric Osansky, a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and certified functional medicine practitioner who reversed his own Graves disease naturally and has been helping clients do the same since 2009. We’re sharing both sides of the thyroid spectrum: Dr. Eric’s journey with hyperthyroidism and my own with Hashimoto’s, plus the powerful gut–thyroid connection that changed everything for us.

You’ll hear:

• Why gut health is central to thyroid autoimmunity
• The most common gut-related triggers for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
• How herbs like bugleweed and motherwort can support hyperthyroid symptoms
• The role of stress, adrenal health, and lifestyle foundations in recovery
• How functional testing (like stool testing, adrenal testing, and HTMA) can uncover the real drivers of your symptoms

Listen to part 1 of this episode on Dr. Eric's podcast here!

Connect with Dr. Eric

Dr. Eric's Website

Dr. Eric's Newsletter

Dr. Eric's Books

Stay Connected with Dr. Heather & team

Dr. Heather's Website

Dr. Heather's Instagram

Help others find the podcast and win a free HTMA test + consult!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and review on your favorite podcast app. It helps more people find the show and get the support they need.

🎁 As a thank you, you’ll be entered to win a free HTMA test and consult with our team!

Here’s how:

1. Leave a rating and review.
2. Take a screenshot.
3. Email it to support@drheatherfinley.co.

We choose a winner every month!

You finished your SIBO treatment, so why are you still bloated, reactive, and stuck eating five foods?

In this episode of Love Your Gut, Dr. Heather shares what no one talks about after the “kill phase” of SIBO recovery ends. If you’ve tried antibiotics or antimicrobials, followed a low-FODMAP diet, and still don’t feel like yourself, it’s not because you failed. It’s because true healing happens in Phase 2: the rebuilding phase.

You’ll learn how to make your gut resilient again through food, lifestyle, digestion support, and terrain repair.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why symptoms often return post-SIBO treatment (and why that’s not a failure)
• How to repair your gut lining to reduce food reactivity
• Step-by-step guidance for reintroducing foods safely and strategically
• The truth about North-to-South digestion and what it means for motility
• How simple lifestyle shifts like sunlight, walking, and breathwork change the gut terrain
• The difference between healing and just treating

Resources & Links

• Take the Free "Why am I Bloated?" Quiz and identify what’s driving your symptoms (takes 2 minutes and gives you an action plan!)
• Apply for 1:1 support through gutTogether®
• Connect with Dr. Heather on Instagram

Win a Free HTMA Test + Consult with the gutTogether® team!

We’d love your help spreading the word!
Leave a quick rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, screenshot it, and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST RATING] in the subject line.

You’ll be entered to win a free HTMA package (includes test + 1:1 results session)!

📌 Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss Part 4, where Dr. Heather shares real client recovery stories and what finally made the difference when nothing else had.

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