What Are Gut Issues, Anyway?

We hear it all the time.

“Must be a gut issue.”

“My gut’s off.”

“I think it’s something in my gut.”

But what does that actually mean?

Gut issues have become the wellness world’s catch-all phrase. Used to explain everything from bloating to brain fog, constipation to cystic acne. And while gut health is indeed foundational to total-body health, the phrase has become so buzzy, it’s lost its clarity.

So let’s clear it up.

At The Gut Center, we don’t do bandwagon diagnoses or vague advice. We do root-cause clarity. Because when you understand what a gut issue actually is, and what it’s not, you unlock the door to deep, lasting healing. That’s what we’re here for.

Let’s break it all down.

So… What Is A Gut Issue?

A gut issue isn’t just about your stomach. And it’s not just about poop, either. A gut issue is any breakdown in your digestive system’s ability to do three things well:

1. Digest
   
   
2. Detoxify
   
   
3. Eliminate
   

That’s it. If your body can’t fully digest what you eat, clear what doesn’t belong, and release it with ease, you have a gut issue.

It might show up as:

• Bloating or gas
  
  
• Constipation or loose stools
  
  
• Indigestion, heartburn, or reflux
  
  
• Cravings, fatigue, or brain fog
  
  
• Skin issues (acne, rashes, eczema)
  
  
• Anxiety, mood swings, or insomnia
  
  
• PMS, weight gain, or autoimmune flare-ups

That’s right, hormonal imbalances, migraines, even joint pain can stem from gut dysfunction.

Because when digestion doesn’t work, nothing works. And the symptoms ripple outward.

What’s Not A Gut Issue?

Not everything digestive is a gut issue, and not every gut issue looks like digestion.

Here’s what a gut issue isn’t:

• It’s not occasional gas after a huge meal.
  
  
• It’s not something a colonoscopy always detects.
  
  
• It’s not always fixed with a probiotic or a juice cleanse.
  
  
• It’s not “just in your head.”

It’s a deeper dysfunction in your body’s biological rhythm. And it’s often missed by traditional medicine because it hides in the gray zones, below the threshold of disease, but far from optimal.

This is why functional testing matters.

How Do We Actually Detect Gut Issues?

Say hello to your new best friend: The Testing Trio.

Unlike basic bloodwork or rushed GI appointments, The Gut Center’s Testing Trio gives you a 360° look at your gut health. We don’t guess. We test. And we map every layer of your digestive system: upper, middle, and lower.

1. Stool Test 

This is your microbial fingerprint. It shows:

• Which bacteria, yeast, or parasites are overgrown
  
  
• If you have leaky gut or inflammation
  
  
• Whether you’re making butyrate (a key gut-healing molecule)
  
  
• How well you digest fats, protein, and fiber

2. Micronutrient Panel

We look at your blood and white blood cells to assess:

• What nutrients you’re missing
  
  
• If your gut is absorbing them properly
  
  
• Which systems (like energy, mood, immunity) may be affected by deficiencies
  

3. Food Sensitivity Test

This tells us how your immune system is reacting to food, via the gut wall.

We check IgG and IgA antibodies to uncover:

• Hidden food triggers
  
  
• Gut lining permeability
  
  
• Signs of chronic immune activation

Together, these tests reveal the real story behind your symptoms. They help us decode the chaos, organize the healing, and create a personalized protocol that works.

What Do Gut Issues Feel Like?

Here’s the tricky part: gut issues don’t always feel like gut issues.

They can feel like:

• You’re always tired, even after a full night’s sleep
  
  
• You crash after meals
  
  
• You get random breakouts or unexplained rashes
  
  
• You’re bloated even when you eat clean
  
  
• You can’t think clearly or focus
  
  
• You get hangry or anxious out of nowhere
  
  
• You need coffee to poop (and still don’t go daily)
  

If your body is whispering… or screaming… something’s off, it probably is.

And the gut is usually the place to start.

Are Gut Issues Contagious? Inherited? Passable?

Let’s clear up some common myths.

Are gut issues contagious?

Some are. Pathogens like H. pylori, Giardia, and certain parasites can be passed through contaminated food, water, or close contact. But most gut imbalances aren’t about catching something, they’re about what your gut can’t handle anymore.

Are gut issues inherited?

Absolutely. But not just through genetics.

You inherit your microbiome, the ecosystem of bacteria in your gut, from your mother during birth (especially if vaginal), breastfeeding, and early exposures.

If she had gut issues, low diversity, or inflammation, it often gets passed on.

Can you pass gut issues to your unborn baby?

Yes. Your gut health shapes your baby’s immune system, brain development, and risk of allergies, eczema, or asthma.

That’s why preconception gut healing is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your future child.

Can you give gut issues to your cat?

Not really. But if you’re feeding your cat junk food, they might end up with similar symptoms. (Looking at you, kibble full of inflammatory oils.)

Why Gut Health Isn’t a Trend, It’s the Root of It All

At The Gut Center, we believe your gut is your control center.

It’s where you digest life.

It’s where your immune system trains.

It’s how you eliminate waste, physically and emotionally.

It’s where your neurotransmitters are born, your hormones are activated, and your clarity is restored.

When your gut is inflamed, congested, or confused, it doesn’t just affect digestion.

It affects everything.

That’s why people don’t just heal their symptoms at The Gut Center. They forget they ever had them.

That’s why our clients say things like:

“I didn’t just stop bloating, I got my joy back.”

“I feel like myself again.”

“I didn’t realize how bad I felt… until I felt this good.”

Because when your gut is clear, your entire life gets lighter.

This Is Your Turning Point

The Gut Center isn’t here to hand you a probiotic and wish you luck.

We’re here to build you a new baseline.

We’re here to change your relationship with health, and with yourself.

Because real medicine doesn’t always come in a prescription bottle.

It can come in:

• A bowl of kitchari
  
  
• A mug of digestive tea
  
  
• A drop of minerals that turn water into fuel
  
  
• A stack of targeted supplements designed to rebuild your body, phase by phase
  

This isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s root cause. It’s Ritual.

And once you feel it… you don’t go back.

Ready to Find Out What’s Really Going On?

Start with the Testing Trio. Then rebuild with The Vitality Trio.

Digest. Detox. Eliminate. Energize. Glow.

Or go all-in with the Root Cause Reset, our 16-week functional transformation that includes testing, detox, personalized protocols, and coaching.

You don’t have to wonder if it’s your gut.

We’ll show you. And then, we’ll fix it.

This is your turning point. Let’s rebuild you from the gut up.

 

Want to learn more about gut health? Check out some of our other blogs:

9 Signs You May Have a Leaky Gut

Beyond Fiber: 7 Root Causes of Your Constipation