160: The Hidden Cost of Antibiotics: Extinction, Inflammation & Four Years of Damage From a Single Course, Plus My Gut Protection Protocol

So many of us assume that fatigue, brain fog, and other midlife symptoms are caused solely by hormones or that HRT alone is the solution. But our latest episode of The Tara Thorne Wellness podcast dives into why your gut health may be playing a much bigger role than you think. In this episode: Don't Blame Hormones for Everything: Many symptoms often attributed to perimenopause or hormonal imbalance—like fatigue and brain fog—can actually be driven by gut health issues, especially dysbiosis and inflammation. Understand the Gut-Hormone Connection: A healthy gut is critical for metabolizing estrogen and maintaining proper hormone balance. Overlooking this can lead to persistent symptoms even if you're addressing hormones. Testing and Assessing Gut-Related Contributors to Symptoms:Standard approaches and generic supplements often miss core issues like high LPS (a major driver of inflammation and fatigue) and slow gut transit time. Targeted testing is essential for real results. -----------------------------------------------------   ** Don't miss Tara's upcoming GUT FIX HANGOUT - Stop Blaming the Food. The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems, and How to Fix Your Gut for Good. Join us on July 16th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST which is 10am AEST on July 17th. Save your spot HERE.   ------------------------------------------------------ Got questions? Connect with Tara on Instagram, at @TaraThorneWellness

In this episode, Tara breaks down the most common root causes of SIBO, including impaired gut motility, previous antibiotic use, food poisoning, digestive issues, low stomach acid, medications, thyroid problems, structural issues, and chronic stress. She also explains why proper testing matters, why guessing your way through SIBO treatment can leave you stuck in a cycle of temporary improvement followed by relapse, and what questions your practitioner should be asking before creating a treatment plan. If you've been told you have SIBO, treated it, and found yourself right back where you started, this episode will help you understand what may have been missed. In this episode, I'm breaking down: The classic symptoms of SIBO and what they can look like beyond bloating Why motility is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle How antibiotics, food poisoning, medications, and stress can contribute Why low stomach acid may actually be part of the problem The questions your practitioner should be asking before treating your SIBO Why clearing SIBO is only half the job if you want lasting results   June Gut Relief Package SALE And if you're struggling with persistent gut symptoms and want support figuring out what's actually happening, grab a spot to work with me this June, HERE. Spots are limited and once they're gone, they're gone.  Got questions? Connect with Tara on Instagram, at @TaraThorneWellness

After decades of chronic constipation, going as long as six weeks without a bowel movement, and living with severe bloating that left her looking "like she'd swallowed an elephant," Wendy had tried everything… or so she thought. Laxatives. Supplements. Restrictive diets. Wellness practitioners. Expensive protocols. Yet nothing truly worked because nobody had properly investigated what was actually happening in her gut. In this deeply personal conversation, Wendy joins Tara to share how comprehensive microbiome testing finally uncovered the root causes behind her lifelong gut struggles and how, within weeks of targeted support, everything changed. This episode explores the emotional and physical toll chronic constipation can have on women, why symptom suppression isn't the same as healing, and how proper testing can completely transform the way we approach gut health.   In this episode, you'll hear us chat about: How easy it is to get stuck in "try this, try that" cycles without ever finding real answers The power of proper gut testing and an individualized approach Why surface solutions (like supplements or meds "just in case") can miss the mark How healing your gut impacts your ENTIRE well-being: energy, skin, sleep, mental clarity What's truly possible when you find the root cause instead of just masking symptoms   I hope Wendy's story inspires you to believe that things can change, no matter how long you've been struggling.     Mother's Day Gut Relief Package Applications are now open now through May 27th at midnight PST! Here's what's inside my Mother's Day Gut Relief Package: 2 deep-dive private 1:1 consultations with me personally. Functional testing: I'll guide you on which tests are right for YOUR body so you're not wasting money on tests you don't need I interpret all your results and create fully personalised, custom protocols built around your body and your life. Video reviews of your test results so you understand exactly what we're seeing and why A results review call where we'll go through everything together A fully customised health plan including professional supplements - all tailored to you, your body, and your test results 3 months of unlimited private messaging support with me; this is HUGE. I am by your side, holding your hand, available at any time. This is the key piece of the plan that gets you results. Pivoting and adjusting as your body responds is critical, because healing isn't linear. Options to continue working together and retest after your 3 months - I won't leave you high and dry. 🎁 BONUS (and this one really matters for gut health): A FREE HTMA test + full protocol and interpretation, worth hundreds on its own. SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE Spots are limited.

In this episode, Tara dives into one of the most important — and often overlooked — players in metabolic and gut health: Akkermansia muciniphila. She explains how this keystone bacteria influences weight regulation, inflammation, blood sugar balance, and gut integrity, and why both low and elevated levels can signal deeper issues in the body. Tara also breaks down the common misconceptions around weight loss, the role of the microbiome in supporting metabolic health, and why diet alone is often not enough to optimize gut function. You'll learn practical strategies to support Akkermansia naturally, when supplementation may or may not be helpful, and why proper testing is essential for understanding your unique gut environment. We cover: What Akkermansia is and why it's considered a "keystone" bacteria How it influences weight, metabolism, and inflammation Why both low and high levels can be a problem The truth about Akkermansia supplements (and why I don't rely on them) The exact foods and strategies that support healthy levels Why gut testing is essential if you actually want answers   Attend My Brand New Masterclass on May 7th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST! The Gut Fix Masterclass: Stop Blaming Food! The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems & How to Fix Your Gut for Good Save Your Spot HERE

In this episode, Tara breaks down the true impact antibiotics can have on the gut, far beyond the short-term effects most people are told about. She explains how even a single course can disrupt the microbiome for years, contributing to inflammation, immune dysregulation, and a wide range of ongoing symptoms. Tara also shares her clinical perspective on why many gut healing approaches fall short, and outlines a practical protocol to protect and support the microbiome before, during, and after antibiotic use. We cover: What actually happens in the gut after a course of antibiotics Why the effects can last up to four years (or longer) The link between antibiotics, inflammation, and chronic symptoms Why most "gut healing" approaches miss the mark My gut protection protocol (what I do in practice to minimize damage)     Attend My Brand New Masterclass on May 7th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST! The Gut Fix Masterclass: Stop Blaming Food! The Real Reason You've Still Got Bloating and Pooping Problems & How to Fix Your Gut for Good Save Your Spot HERE

You're eating well. You've cut out the "trigger foods." You've tried the probiotics, the gut protocols, the supplements. And yet… you're still bloated. Still uncomfortable. Still dealing with unpredictable digestion. In this episode, Tara breaks down the real reasons so many women stay stuck with gut issues, despite doing everything they've been told is "right." From poor testing and misguided protocols to overlooked root causes, this is the conversation that fills in the gaps most practitioners are missing. If your gut still isn't right, this episode will help you understand why—and what actually needs to change. In this episode we talk about: The biggest mistakes in gut protocols Why most stool tests miss what matters Probiotics vs prebiotics — the real story Why restrictive diets don't fix your gut What actually needs to happen for lasting change   And if you're ready to stop figuring this out alone my April Perimenopause Gut Relief packages are still open. Proper testing, root cause focus, and a plan built around your body so you're not back at square one in six months. If you've been sitting on the fence, this is your nudge. Grab a spot here.

In this episode, Tara breaks down what loose stools actually mean, why they're not something to ignore, and the key root causes she sees most often in practice. From gut infections and dysbiosis to bile flow issues and poor digestion, she explains how to connect the dots between your symptoms and what's really going on underneath. She also walks through the common mistakes people make when trying to fix gut issues—like guessing with supplements or following generic protocols—and why these approaches can often make things worse. If you're dealing with loose stools, urgency, or inconsistent digestion, this episode will help you understand what your body is signaling and how to approach it properly. In this episode we talk about: Why gut issues often show up as fatigue, anxiety, weight gain (not just digestive issues) How to tell if it's SIBO or a colon issue The role of digestion, bile, and transit time (this is huge) Why probiotics alone aren't the solution What proper stool testing looks like The red flags to watch for when choosing a practitioner If you feel like you've tried all the things and nothing's working, or you're just OVER not feeling your best, seriously, give this one a listen. Reach out Tara on Instagram anytime, HERE.   And if you're ready to stop figuring this out alone my April Perimenopause Gut Relief packages are open. Proper testing, root cause focus, and a plan built around your body so you're not back at square one in six months. Spots are limited and the fast action $300 discount is going away on the 22nd.   CLICK HERE to grab a package.     [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE]

Constipation isn't just uncomfortable. It's not a minor inconvenience to manage around with a magnesium supplement and a prayer. When your bowels aren't clearing properly, your body is holding onto things it needs to let go of; waste, toxins, and used-up hormones like estrogen that, when reabsorbed, start creating problems far beyond your digestive system. This is why I take it seriously in practice. And why I recorded this episode. Because most of the advice out there is either incomplete or quietly making things worse. In this episode I walk you through what actually matters: Why constipation is a whole-body issue, not just a gut one  The link between sluggish bowels, estrogen recycling, and long-term health risk  What it means if fibre makes your symptoms worse (this is important)  Why methane overgrowth is one of the most missed drivers of constipation  What most women are overlooking when nothing seems to work If you're ready to stop figuring this out alone my April Perimenopause Gut Relief packages are open. Proper testing, root cause focus, and a plan built around your body so you're not back at square one in six months. Spots are limited and the fast action $300 discount is going away on the 22nd.   CLICK HERE to grab a package.

Bloated by evening but fine all morning? That points somewhere specific.   Puffing up within minutes of eating? That points somewhere else entirely.   And those two things call for completely different approaches.   In under 15 minutes, I cover: — The two main types of bloating and how to tell which one you have — Why self-treating your gut often makes things worse, not better — The difference between SIBO and colonic dysbiosis — Why proper testing is non-negotiable if you actually want this resolved — The most common mistakes I see women make when trying to fix their gut   This isn't about cutting more foods or adding more supplements. It's about finally understanding what your body is telling you so you can fix it at the root and stop feeling uncomfortable in your own skin. And if you're ready to stop figuring this out alone my April Perimenopause Gut Relief packages are open. Proper testing, root cause focus, and a plan built around your body so you're not back at square one in six months. Spots are limited and the fast action $300 discount is going away on the 22nd.    CLICK HERE to grab a package.   

In this episode, Tara breaks down the essentials of gut health, highlighting the importance of accurate testing, why stool tests are critical, and common mistakes women make in trying to fix their gut on their own. She strips it all back and walk you through what actually matters when it comes to your gut… and what is quietly making things worse. In this episode we cover: • Why gut health impacts far more than digestion (think mood, metabolism, hormones, skin, brain health) • The biggest mistakes I see with SIBO treatment (and why retesting is non-negotiable) • What antibiotics are really doing to your microbiome (even after one round) • Why restrictive diets, low FODMAP, and food sensitivity tests are not the answer • The truth about probiotics vs prebiotics (and what actually improves your gut) • Red flags to watch for when choosing a practitioner or stool test   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you're dealing with GI issues and would like my expert help with, as a Certified Microbiome Analyst, grab one of my April Perimenopause Gut Relief packages, before spots are gone. Currently I'm offering them at a $300 fast action discount (but that's only for a short time).    👉 VIEW APRIL GUT RELIEF PACKAGES --------------------------------------------------------------------------   Mentioned in this episode: MegaSporeBiotic – Click HERE to grab this probiotic and use my practitioner code, which also gets you 10% off: TaraMegaSpore Paleovalley – Grab your goodies as mentioned in this episode, HERE [BOOK A 30-MINUTE SESSION WITH TARA HERE]