Today, I am blessed to have here with me Megan Hall. She received her BS in Exercise Biology and MS in Nutritional Biology at UC Davis where her research focused on the effects of low carbohydrate and ketogenic diets on longevity and health span in mice. This episode originally aired in July 2021. She currently works as Scientific Director at Nourish Balance Thrive, an online health coaching company helping people achieve optimal health and peak performance. In her free time Megan enjoys reading, strength training, and hiking in the Colorado mountains. In this episode, Megan opens up the show by explaining why she wanted to learn more about nutritional and lifestyle interventions for optimal health. Even if you are making the necessary lifestyle changes, you can still be facing health issues. Megan explains why you may want to consider the gut as the reason you are having problems. Plus, Megan talks about how both physical and emotional stress can impact our gut health, and she gives tips on avoiding stress during mealtime. Tune in as we chat about overcoming acid reflux, the impact keto and fasting have on gut health, and whether or not you should give up drinking coffee. Order Keto Flex: http://www.ketoflexbook.com -------------------------------------------------------- / / E P I S O D E   S P ON S O R S  BiOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough Special Offer: http://www.magbreakthrough.com/ketokamp Use the coupon code ketokamp10 for 10% off AND a special gift.  Text me +1 (786) 364-5002 Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list.  [00:35] Why Megan Got Started In The Health Space In college, Megan became interested in functional medicine. She wanted to know more about how lifestyle and nutrition play a role in chronic diseases. Plus, Megan was becoming frustrated with conventional medical school education. Instead of pharmaceutical education, Megan wanted to learn more about helping people implement impactful nutritional and lifestyle interventions. Now, Megan works at Nourish Balance Thrive. She helps people achieve optimal health and performance.  [06:15] You Made Necessary Lifestyle Changes But Something Is Still Wrong Megan will help people who already have changed their diets, and their sleep is on point. However, there are still health issues. In this case, Megan says something is going on in the gut. Intestinal permeability or dysbiosis could be causing health issues. A stool test and targeted supplementation can fix the gut problem. There isn’t a perfect stool test, unfortunately. [09:40] Mental Emotional Stress Impacts Not Just Our Digestive Health, But Also Our Overall Health There are different ways that stress can impact the gut. Both physical and emotional stress can have consequences. The elevation of stress hormones can cause direct inflammation and lead to further gut-derived inflammation. Stress hormones can potentially even lead to food intolerance if gut permeability is involved. Also, stress can directly impact digestion and nutrient absorption. Our bodies are not designed to digest food while we are under stress. Plus, stress can lead to making poor food choices. Stress can also increase motility and fluid reabsorption in the gut. Take deep breaths before eating – it will bring your body back into the parasympathetic state. [16:05] Eating Before Bed: It Can Affect Digestion, Sleep, And Your Circadian Rhythm  The body expects food to come during the day. Eating inherently increases our energy output and our body temperature. A drop in body temperature is one of the biggest signs or signals for our bodies to go to sleep. If you’re eating before bed, you’re not able to cool your body temperature down to increase melatonin. Sleep should be a time of rest and repair. If we are digesting while sleeping, it can cause issues. Plus, our gut microbes have their own circadian rhythms. [19:45] Megan Reveals Tips For Overcoming Acid Reflux   Avoid really large meals. Some pe