EP# 176 Lauren Callahan, a Holistic Health Practitioner on Gut Health.
This episode features holistic health practitioner Lauren Callahan, who shares insights on gut microbiota, digestive dysfunction, and their links to systemic health. We explore practical approaches to improving gut integrity, inflammation, and overall wellness.
🧠 EP#176 | Gut Check: The Health Deep Dive with Lauren Callahan
From probiotics to poop talk, Ray and holistic coach Lauren Callahan break down why your gut might be behind everything from brain fog to joint pain.
🔍 Key Takeaways
✅ Your gut is your second brain—it influences mood, immunity, and energy
✅ Stress and sugar are gut health killers (and most of us are overdosing)
✅ Gut testing via blood markers like xanthine can reveal systemic issues
✅ Fermented foods and hydration are underrated gut saviors
✅ Fixing your gut can resolve everything from insomnia to athletic injuries
📖 In This Episode
Ray sits down with Lauren Callahan, an ultra-runner, Ironman athlete, and holistic health coach who knows her stuff when it comes to the gut microbiome. The two go deep—from gut health myths to menopause misconceptions—and connect the dots between what you eat, how you poop, and how you feel.
Lauren reveals how years of failed marathon attempts turned into a year of ultra-endurance victories—after fixing her gut. The episode covers what true gut health looks like, why dirt (yes, literal dirt) matters, and how stress silently destroys your internal health.
You’ll also learn about serotonin's gut origins, why SSRIs might be a Band-Aid solution, and how something as simple as making your own kombucha could jumpstart your immune system.
🛠️ Practical Tips to Implement
🍽 Eat more fibrous foods (fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds)
💧 Hydrate with electrolytes, not just water
🧫 Add fermented foods (like kimchi, miso, kombucha) daily
🧘♀️ Reduce stress through movement, breathwork, or therapy
🧪 Consider a gut metabolite test to identify imbalances
🔬 Research Spotlight
A 2015 study in Cell found that gut microbiota composition directly influences serotonin production, with 90% of serotonin synthesized in the gut—not the brain. This links gut health to mood disorders, digestion, and even sleep cycles, via melatonin conversion.
❓ FAQ
Q: Can gut health really impact things like sleep and mood?
A: Absolutely. Most serotonin (which helps regulate both) is made in the gut. A dysregulated gut can cause poor sleep, anxiety, or depression.
Q: What's a good first step to improve gut health?
A: Start by removing refined sugar and processed foods. Add fermented foods and fiber. And yes—look in the toilet for feedback on your digestion.
Q: What’s a microbiome exactly?
A: It’s the ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive tract. Like a forest, it needs diversity—too many of the wrong “species” throws everything off.
Q: How do you test for gut health?
A: Lauren uses a simple finger-prick blood test that checks 11 gut metabolite markers tied to inflammation, immunity, cognition, and digestion.
💭 Final Thought
Gut health isn't a trend—it's a root system. If you're not thriving, start digging there.
