Do you have dysbiosis like I did?
- Shay G.

- Nov 18
- 3 min read
Bloating, cramping, gas, reflux, diarrhea, constipation… Do any of these sound familiar?
What about fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, weight gain, or even seasonal allergies?
All of these can be signs of dysbiosis: an imbalance of bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.

Do you have dysbiosis like I did?
My Story
Before I began practicing functional medicine, I struggled with many of these symptoms myself. I had bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and brain fog that just wouldn’t go away.
When I worked in traditional medicine, I didn’t know how to help myself, and honestly, none of my colleagues did either. My gastroenterologist diagnosed me with IBS with constipation and told me to take more MiraLAX.
That was not the answer I was looking for.
Once I began studying functional and integrative medicine, everything changed. I discovered that dysbiosis is not only real, it’s reversible. By rebalancing my gut microbiome, I healed my digestion, improved my energy, cleared my brain fog, and finally felt like myself again.
Understanding Dysbiosis
Our digestive tract houses trillions of microbes, including bacteria, yeast, and even viruses, from our mouth to our colon. This internal ecosystem, known as the microbiome, plays a critical role in everything from digestion and immunity to mood, metabolism, and hormone balance.
When harmful bacteria, yeast, or parasites overgrow — or when we lose diversity in our beneficial microbes — dysbiosis develops.
Dysbiosis can cause:
Digestive symptoms: bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or reflux
Systemic symptoms: headaches, fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, anxiety, allergies, or brain fog
Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut
Dysbiosis often leads to leaky gut, where the intestinal lining becomes permeable and allows bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream.
This triggers an immune response, releasing inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, which can contribute to:
Weight gain and insulin resistance
Joint pain and fatigue
Anxiety, brain fog, and low mood
Increased risk of autoimmune disease and even certain cancers
Because 70% of our immune system lives in the gut, an imbalanced microbiome weakens immune defense. Low levels of secretory IgA, the antibody that lines and protects the gut,can leave us vulnerable to chronic infections.
And here’s something many people don’t realize: about 90% of serotonin (your “feel-good” neurotransmitter) is made in the gut, along with dopamine and GABA, which affect mood and sleep.
When dysbiosis disrupts this process, we experience anxiety, depression, irritability, and poor sleep, further perpetuating the cycle.
The Role of Diet, Stress, and Medications
Diet and Lifestyle
Inflammatory foods such as gluten and dairy raise a protein called zonulin, which loosens the tight junctions in the gut lining.
Sugar feeds pathogenic bacteria and yeast.
Alcohol irritates the gut wall, while processed foods, additives, and artificial sweeteners further disturb microbial balance.
Chronic Stress and Sleep Deprivation
Living in constant “fight or flight” mode raises cortisol, which breaks down the mucosal barrier and depletes secretory IgA, weakening gut immunity.
Lack of sleep shifts the microbiome toward inflammatory species, amplifying dysbiosis.
Medications
Certain medications are major disruptors:
Antibiotics wipe out good and bad bacteria alike, allowing opportunistic microbes to overgrow.
NSAIDs (like Advil and Aleve) erode the gut lining.
Proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec or Nexium) reduce stomach acid, impair digestion, and promote bacterial overgrowth.
The Good News
The gut can heal. With the right testing, targeted supplementation, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle support, you can restore microbial balance — often in just a few weeks.
That’s why Shay Geraghty, PA-C and Functional Nutritionist Holly Niles have joined forces to create the Gut Renewal Program — an 8-week guided experience designed to help you rebalance digestion, reduce inflammation, and reconnect to your body’s natural rhythm.
This isn’t a quick fix or a fad. It’s a science-backed, soul-nourishing journey that helps you:
Restore microbiome balance and improve digestion
Rekindle metabolism naturally, without restriction or deprivation
Rebuild gut integrity with targeted nutrition and gentle detox
Reconnect mind and body through stress resilience and mindful movement
Each week, you’ll join Shay and Holly for live Zoom sessions that blend education, discussion, and real-world tools, with space to ask questions and receive support from a like-minded community.
Early Bird Offer - Save $300 (expires Nov 23rd)
Enroll now for $997* (regularly $1,297)
Your Early Bird Bonuses Include:
The Holiday-Ready Gut Prep Guide — start nurturing your guttoday
Priority placement in our January 2025 cohort
Exclusive pre-program live Q&A with Shay and Holly
*supplements are additional, approximately $250 with discount
Program Details
Start Date: January 2025
Format: Weekly live Zoom sessions (recordings available)
Duration: 8 weeks
Focus: Gut health, microbiome repair, and metabolic renewal

Ready to Begin Your GutRenewal?
Your gut is ready for a comeback. Are you?
Reserve your spot, and your savings, before the early bird offer flies away.
USE CODE: GUTRENEW300
Join the Gut Renewal Program for $997 here:







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