If you’re struggling with brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, or joint pain, you don’t want to miss today’s podcast episode! Clinical researcher and bestselling author Dr. Michael Ruscio reveals why an unhealthy gut may be the culprit behind your symptoms. Listen as Dr. Ruscio explains why gut problems can often come disguised as other health issues like thyroid problems or hormonal imbalances, as well as how his free quiz can help you determine the root cause of your symptoms. Dr. Ruscio also talks about the series of interventions in his book Healthy Gut, Healthy You, that can help heal your gut, including a Paleo and low-FODMAP diet, plus he shares his top recommendations for herbs that can help with female hormonal imbalances. Find out how to restore your gut health in a stepwise fashion so you can feel better from head to toe!   Freebies From Today’s Episode Get Dr. Michael Ruscio’s free quiz to determine the root cause of your symptoms by going to jjvirgin.com/guthormone.   Main Points From Today’s Episode Your gut health can not only affect your hormones, but it can also affect all systems in your body. An unhealthy gut can be the underlying issue behind symptoms like brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, joint pain, and more. Dr. Ruscio’s free quiz helps you figure out whether your symptoms are a result of a gut imbalance, a gut-hormone issue, or a thyroid issue. Gut problems can often be disguised as thyroid issues or female hormone imbalances, so it’s important to discover the root cause of your symptoms. Treating imbalances in the gut can lead to a resolution or improvement in symptoms. Dr. Ruscio’s book, Healthy Gut, Healthy You, provides a series of interventions to help you heal your gut and transform your health.   Episode Play-By-Play [1:10] Introduction to today’s episode [2:18] Dr. Michael Ruscio’s career briefing [3:40] Listener shout-out [4:50] One of the number one reasons people have food intolerances is due to a leaky gut. Try JJ’s Leaky Gut Support!  [6:15] How does gut health affect hormones? [8:02] Why it makes sense to start by healing the gut in the majority of cases  [9:51] Results from study done on subjects with an ambiguous hypothyroid diagnosis  [11:40] Treating imbalances in the gut can lead to a resolution of symptoms in many cases. [12:55] How do you determine if you have gut issues, a thyroid condition, or both?  [14:10] Stress can decrease your body’s ability to convert T4 into T3.  [16:58] What an abnormal T3 level can tell you  [17:12] How do you determine if you have gut issues?  [17:45] Dr. Ruscio’s book, Healthy Gut, Healthy You, provides a series of interventions to help heal your gut and transform your health. [19:04] Why you can’t rely solely on gut testing [21:22] How gut issues can affect female hormones [23:00] Herbs that can help with female hormonal imbalances  [24:41] How to start healing your gut with your diet   [25:53] Why an elimination diet can be helpful [26:51] What are FODMAPs?  [27:45] How to tell if you may need to try a low-FODMAP diet [28:10] Dr. Ruscio’s book contains 3 different versions of a low-FODMAP diet, including one for vegetarians. [30:40] While making dietary changes, how quickly can someone start to notice an improvement in symptoms? [33:13] Healing your gut can be a stepwise process.  [34:36] Dr. Ruscio’s free quiz tells you whether your symptoms are a result of a gut imbalance, a gut-hormone issue, or a thyroid issue. [35:13] JJ’s top takeaway from today’s episode [37:28] Focus on improving the quality of the food you’re eating.    Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Ruscio Radio: Health, Nutrition and Functional Medicine Healthy Gut, Healthy You, by Dr. Michael Ruscio JJ Virgin Leaky Gut Support Subscribe to the JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show Become part of JJ’s community JJ Virgin Official Facebook page JJ Virgin on Instagram JJ Virgin on YouTube