Team Gut Girls

About Team Gut Girls

Team Gut Girls Podcast | Gut Health, Bloating, Hormones & Women’s Health Explained Struggling with bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, or confusing gut health advice? The Team Gut Girls Podcast breaks down complex digestive health topics into clear, practical, science-backed conversations - so you can understand your body, ask better questions, and feel more in control of your health. Hosted by naturopathic doctors (Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND, Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND and Dr. Christina Carew, ND), this podcast explores the real reasons behind common symptoms like: -Bloating vs. distention (and why they’re not the same) -Constipation and motility issues -Food sensitivities and why testing isn’t always the answer - SIBO, gut bacteria, and what’s actually causing your symptoms Each episode goes beyond the surface-level advice to unpack the multiple root causes behind gut issues - from hormones and the nervous system to digestion, microbiome balance, and lifestyle patterns. Whether you’ve been dismissed, overwhelmed by conflicting information, or stuck trying everything with no results. This podcast helps you connect the dots. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything!

Publisher

Team Gut Girls

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 May 2026

Latest episode

28 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Sept 2026

   23: Why A Gut Supplement Might Not Be Your First Step

   Should you take a probiotic for bloating? Are prebiotics better? And does a probiotic with 50 billion CFUs actually work better than one with 10 billion? If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle staring at dozens of probiotic bottles — or bought an influencer-promoted greens powder promising better gut health — this episode is for you. The Team Gut Girls break down probiotics vs. prebiotics, what the research actually says about probiotics for bloating, IBS and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and why choosing the right probiotic is much more complicated than looking for the biggest number on the bottle. Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND, Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND, and Dr. Christina Carew, ND explain why probiotic strain matters, what CFUs actually mean, how to assess probiotic quality, and why some probiotics and prebiotic fibers may actually make gas and bloating worse in certain people. They also tackle three common probiotic myths: • Myth #1: All probiotics are basically the same. • Myth #2: You shouldn't take probiotics while taking antibiotics. • Myth #3: More CFUs means a better probiotic. You'll learn the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, why genus, species and strain matter, what to look for on a probiotic label, and why Canadian consumers should look for an NPN (Natural Product Number). The Gut Girls also explore the bigger picture: your gut microbiome is more like a garden than an empty container waiting to be filled with probiotic bacteria. Fiber, hydration, gut motility, sleep, diet diversity, medications and your existing microbiome all influence that environment. And when it comes specifically to probiotics for IBS and bloating, the evidence isn't as simple as social media might suggest. Research is mixed, guidelines remain cautious, and the reason you're bloated matters. A probiotic may be useful in some situations — but it isn't a universal solution for bloating. In this episode, you'll learn: • What probiotics and prebiotics actually are • The difference between probiotic genus, species and strain • Why strain specificity matters when choosing a probiotic • Whether higher CFUs mean a probiotic is more effective • How probiotics can interact with antibiotics • Why probiotics and antibiotics are generally separated by at least two hours • Why Saccharomyces boulardii is different from bacterial probiotics • What to look for when buying a probiotic in Canada • Why expiry dates and end-of-shelf-life viability matter • How prebiotic foods feed your existing gut microbiome • Why fiber and prebiotics can sometimes increase bloating and gas • How SIBO and visceral hypersensitivity may affect probiotic tolerance • Where probiotic research is strongest • What the evidence says about probiotics for IBS and bloating • Why identifying the underlying cause of bloating matters • Questions to ask your healthcare practitioner before starting a probiotic Before starting a probiotic or other supplement — particularly if you have an underlying health condition, take medications, or are immunocompromised — speak with an appropriate healthcare professional. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything.

2. 

   21 Sept 2026

   22: Why Your Microbiome Test May Not Have the Answers You’re Looking For

   If you’re dealing with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive symptoms, you may have wondered: Should I get a gut health test? From microbiome testing and PCR stool tests to SIBO breath testing, there are more gut tests available than ever — but getting more data doesn’t always mean getting a clearer answer. In this episode of Team Gut Girls, naturopathic doctors Dr. Whitney Baxter, Dr. Christina Carew, and Dr. Dominique Vanier break down what some of the most popular gut health tests can actually tell you — and where their limitations begin. We explore PCR stool testing and microbiome mapping, including why these tests can be useful for identifying certain infections and parasites but may be much less helpful for explaining chronic symptoms like everyday bloating, constipation, or IBS. We also unpack SIBO breath testing, including hydrogen and methane testing, glucose vs. lactulose, transit time, test preparation, false positives and false negatives, and why your symptoms and medical history matter when interpreting a result. You'll learn: • What a PCR stool test actually measures • Why a microbiome test is only a snapshot of your gut • Why there is no universally agreed-upon “perfect” microbiome • Whether stool testing can diagnose IBS • How SIBO breath testing works • The difference between glucose and lactulose SIBO breath tests • Why constipation and transit time can affect SIBO results • When repeating a SIBO test may — or may not — be useful • Why over-testing can lead to more confusion instead of more answers • How clinicians use symptoms, Rome criteria and biomarkers alongside testing • Why treating the person — rather than simply treating a test result — matters Most importantly, we discuss the question to ask before spending hundreds of dollars on functional gut testing: Will the result of this test actually change what we do next? Gut testing can be an incredibly useful piece of the puzzle when it’s used for the right person, at the right time, for the right reason. But your microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem — and a test result should never be interpreted in isolation. If you've spent money chasing bacteria on stool tests, repeatedly testing for SIBO, or wondering why your digestive symptoms continue even though your tests are “normal,” this episode will help you understand what these tests can — and cannot — tell you. Follow Team Gut Girls for evidence-informed conversations about gut health, IBS, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, the microbiome, hormones, and the gut-brain connection. Visit TeamGutGirls.com for episode transcripts and more information. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything.

3. 

   14 Sept 2026

   21 When Your Gut Symptoms Shouldn’t Be Ignored

   When Bloating, Bleeding & Indigestion Need a Closer Look When is a digestive symptom just a digestive symptom — and when is it worth a closer look? Bloating, changes in bowel habits, low iron, rectal bleeding and indigestion are incredibly common, and most of the time they have a benign explanation. But sometimes, the pattern of a symptom — how long it lasts, how often it happens, or whether it has changed — can be an important clue that further investigation is needed. In this episode of the Team Gut Girls Podcast, Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND, Dr. Whitney Baxter, ND, and Dr. Christina Carew, ND unpack the digestive red flags they don't want you to ignore. They explore why colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, how gastrointestinal bleeding can happen without visible blood, why heavy periods shouldn't automatically be considered the only explanation for low iron, and how persistent bloating can sometimes warrant looking beyond the gut. They also discuss ovarian and stomach cancer symptoms that can initially sound surprisingly ordinary — including bloating, feeling full quickly and persistent indigestion — and explain why new, persistent or changing symptoms matter more than how dramatic a symptom feels. This isn't about assuming the worst every time you're bloated. It's about knowing your normal, recognizing when something has changed, and having the information you need to advocate for yourself when it has. What You'll Learn In this episode, you'll learn: Why colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in adults under 50 Why "you're too young for that" shouldn't automatically end a medical investigation The digestive red flags worth discussing with your healthcare provider Why rectal bleeding shouldn't automatically be assumed to be hemorrhoids How gastrointestinal bleeding can be invisible — and show up instead as low iron or anemia Why heavy periods can contribute to low iron without necessarily explaining the whole picture What persistent bloating can tell you that occasional, meal-related bloating can't The bloating, pelvic and urinary symptoms associated with ovarian cancer that warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider When persistent indigestion may need further investigation Why black or tarry stool, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing and unexplained weight loss deserve attention How your family history can change screening recommendations Why a previous normal colonoscopy, ultrasound or other investigation doesn't necessarily explain a new symptom today How to track symptom patterns and communicate them clearly to your healthcare provider Practical language you can use to advocate for further investigation when something doesn't feel like your normal The Big Takeaway Track the pattern, not just the symptom. A symptom doesn't have to feel severe to be worth mentioning. If something is new, happening frequently, changing from your usual pattern or persisting most days for more than two to three weeks, bring it to your healthcare provider's attention. And if you've mentioned it before and it's still happening? You can bring it up again. The goal isn't to assume that common digestive symptoms mean something serious. It's to make sure persistent or changing symptoms aren't dismissed simply because you're young, you've had the symptom before, or there's an easy explanation available. Because Better Gut Health Changes Everything.

Contact Team Gut Girls

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.