Menu
Listen above or download and subscribe to your favorite podcast network by clicking one of the icons below.
Welcome back to the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast! In Episode 89, host Debi Robinson dives deep into the world of gut health and yeast overgrowth with functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner Kim Heintz.
Kim has been an FDN for over four years, but her own health journey began long before that. Today she shares her personal journey from chronic migraines and various other symptoms to recovery by addressing gut imbalances. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing Candida overgrowth—a common yeast found in functional lab tests that can significantly impact overall health.
Debi and Kim discuss holistic protocols focusing on sleep, stress management, diet, and movement to improve bone and gut health. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn valuable tips on gut health maintenance, including the importance of managing stress, and supporting natural stomach acid production.
Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on addressing Candida and yeast overgrowth, its symptoms, and effective strategies to reclaim your health and build stronger, fracture-resistant bones.
Key Takeaways:
[3:35] What is yeast and Candida?
[4:06] Classic symptoms of overgrowth
[5:46] Sugar cravings
[7:57] Common types of yeast found in bodies
[9:42] Why does this matter
[16:11] How do you know if you have yeast issues
[18:46] Myostatin and medications to treat this
[20:26] Diet
[22:37] Targeted supplementation
[25:23] The timeframe it can take to solve some of these issues
[26:32] Antibiotics
[28:04] What role does the yeast overgrowth play
[29:00] Biofilms
[32:31] Stress
[34:33] Yeast and oxalates
[38:33] Fermented foods
[40:48] Kombucha
[42:23] Food scanning apps
[42:37] Top 3 actionable steps for maintaining gut health
[47:32] In summary
[48:24] Spit test
Where to find Guest:
Memorable Quotes:
“When these symptoms start to pop up they’re signs from the body indicating that there’s some kind of imbalance going on and you want to take a deeper look at things.” [4:42] – Kim
“The sooner you do something about it the sooner you get things back in balance too.” [12:19] – Kim
“We’re using nature to balance nature.” [30:38] – Debi
“This is not about foods with oxalates, this is about having a healthy gut so you can eat the nutrients to build bones and other tissues.” [38:20] – Debi
“You need to know if you have the problem in the first place.” [40:21] – Debi
Podcast Subscribe Links - Reversing Osteoporosis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Oxalates, also known as oxalic acid, are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, vegetables, and fruits. They are part of a plant’s defense mechanism against predators and can be found in high concentrations in foods like spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, and certain beans.
Regarding bone health, oxalates can bind to minerals such as calcium in the gut, forming calcium oxalate. This compound is not easily absorbed by the body, meaning the calcium that could have been utilized for bone strengthening is instead excreted. This process can potentially lead to lower calcium availability for bone health, which can be particularly concerning for individuals at risk of osteoporosis or other bone-related issues.
However, for most women, dietary oxalates do not pose a significant threat to bone health, especially if their diet is balanced with enough calcium and they do not have a history of kidney stones.
Your gut is crucial for stronger bones for several reasons:
- Nutrient Absorption: The gut is where most nutrient absorption occurs. For bones to be healthy and strong, they need a variety of nutrients, particularly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. A healthy gut efficiently absorbs these essential nutrients from your diet and facilitates their transportation to the bones.
- Gut Microbiome and Bone Health: Research has shown that the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria living in your intestines) can influence bone density. Certain gut bacteria help in producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have been shown to promote bone health. SCFAs can enhance the absorption of minerals necessary for bone strength and play a role in reducing inflammation, which can negatively affect bone health.
- Hormone Regulation: The gut helps regulate hormones that are involved in bone metabolism, including insulin, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones like estrogen. For example, estrogen is vital for bone density, and gut health can influence estrogen levels through the enterohepatic circulation, where estrogens are processed in the liver and intestines.
- Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, which can stem from poor gut health, is linked to many conditions that compromise bone strength, such as osteoporosis. A healthy gut helps to reduce systemic inflammation, protecting bones from inflammatory damage.
- Immune System Modulation: The majority of the immune system is located in the gut. An imbalance in the immune system can lead to autoimmune conditions, some of which affect the bones. Maintaining gut health helps to ensure the immune system works correctly, protecting against autoimmune reactions that could impact bone health.
In essence, maintaining a healthy gut contributes significantly to stronger bones by ensuring the effective absorption of vital nutrients, regulating hormones, reducing inflammation, and supporting a healthy immune system. Therefore, a diet rich in bone-healthy nutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics, along with lifestyle factors that promote gut health, is key to maintaining strong bones.