What I Learned From Running a GI Map on Myself (Spoiler: My Gut Had Some Things to Say)

What I Learned From Running a GI Map on Myself (Spoiler: My Gut Had Some Things to Say)

Hi friends,  it’s Haley here, and today I’m pulling back the curtain a bit to share something personal (and kind of humbling): I ran a GI Map on myself.
As someone who treats gut health and functional medicine cases every day, I thought I had a pretty good handle on my own digestion. I eat clean, I love my veggies, and I take my probiotics. Easy, right?

Well… turns out, my microbiome had a different opinion.

My Symptoms (AKA Why I Finally Tested)

For years, I’ve had on-and-off constipation. Nothing extreme, but just enough to make me think, “Okay body, what’s the deal?” I always related it to stress, if I didn’t have the time to go, I put it off for future Haley to deal with. 

I eat tons of vegetables, avoid processed foods, and even take probiotics like Akkermansia and Floramyces (Saccharomyces boulardii), which usually help, but my gut still felt a little off.

So in the name of science and self-awareness (and maybe a little curiosity about my own patients’ experience), I decided to test myself.

The Results: Plot Twist Ahead

Here’s where things got interesting (and slightly humbling):
 My GI Map showed a few key issues that explained everything I was feeling.

• Deficiency Dysbiosis: My “good guys” — Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium — were low. These are the friendly bacteria responsible for producing butyrate, which keeps your colon cells happy and your digestion smooth.
  
  
• Candida Overgrowth: Yep, the yeast party was a little too lively. Candida can cause inflammation, bloating, and even brain fog.
  
  
• Low Pancreatic Enzymes: My pancreatic elastase was very low, meaning I wasn’t digesting proteins and fats efficiently (hello, food sensitivities).
  
  
• Inflammation: My calprotectin marker was elevated — a sign that my gut lining wasn’t thrilled.
  
  

And to top it off, my food sensitivity panel showed reactivity to… wait for it… eggs, gluten, dairy, almonds, and peanuts.
 Basically, my entire breakfast routine. 

The “Aha” Moment

When I sat back and looked at everything together, it clicked.
 I’ve been eating the same foods every day (hi, three eggs every morning), working in a high-stress environment, and not getting enough fiber diversity.

Even though I was eating healthy, I wasn’t feeding the right bacteria or giving my gut the variety it needed to thrive. And stress? Let’s just say my gut and my nervous system have been in a long-term relationship.

My Personalized Gut Repair Plan

Because I love a good protocol (and I’m my own test subject now), here’s what I’ve started:

1. Increasing fiber diversity
 Think of it like cross-training for your microbiome. I’m changing up the berries, legumes, seeds, cruciferous veggies, sweet potatoes im eating and adding in chia pudding with flax (recipe below if you’re interested).

2. Adding fermented foods
 Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir — the funkier the better. My goal is two servings per day for live beneficial bacteria.

3. Supporting digestion
 I’m taking pancreatic enzymes with meals to help with protein breakdown, plus digestive bitters before eating to wake up stomach acid production.

4. Addressing Candida
 I’m on a short course of Nystatin and supporting detox pathways with Tributyrin Supreme (a butyrate supplement that feeds good bacteria and cools inflammation).

5. Healing food sensitivities
 For now, gluten is out (sorry, sourdough). I’ve swapped my daily eggs for protein rotation — chicken, fish, turkey, beans, and collagen-based smoothies.

6. Managing stress + sleep
 Because no supplement can fix a lifestyle that’s running on empty.

What This Taught Me

Running my own GI Map reminded me of something I tell patients all the time:
 You can’t guess your gut health. You have to test it.

You can eat beautifully, exercise daily, and still have dysbiosis, yeast overgrowth, or digestive enzyme issues silently sabotaging your energy, skin, hormones, and immune health.

Your gut is like your body’s ecosystem — it needs balance, diversity, and care.

My Takeaway for You

If you’re struggling with bloating, constipation, skin issues, brain fog, or food sensitivities, don’t ignore your gut’s whispers before they become shouts.
 A GI Map test can reveal exactly what’s going on — from bacteria balance to enzyme function — so you can finally stop guessing and start healing.

If you’re curious about what your gut might be trying to tell you, get on the schedule for a Wellness Consultation (by clicking this booking link) or call us at (909)581-7777 to learn more about testing and personalized protocols.

Learn About Our Wellness Services at Enhance Aesthetics & Wellness

Your gut will thank you — and maybe even start sending you thank-you notes in the form of better digestion, glowing skin, and actual energy again.

And if you’re interested in the clean supplements I typically suggest to patients you can order with a discount from my virtual dispensary here! 

Or here → https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/haleylyman

Here’s to smoother days ahead — may your meals be mindful, your microbes balanced, and your mornings blessed with easy, satisfying poops.

Cheers to great gut health (and even greater bathroom victories)! 

XOXO,  Haley

*Bonus: Haley’s Gut-Loving Chia Pudding*

Why it’s great:
This combo supports digestion, balances blood sugar, and feeds your beneficial gut bacteria like Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium. The chia and flax provide soluble + insoluble fiber, while the yogurt and berries add probiotics and polyphenols.

Watch my kids make it with me here 

Ingredients (makes 2 servings)

• 5–6 tbsp chia seeds
  
  
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
  
  
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk)
  
  
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt (for dairy-free)
  
  
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
  
  
• ¼–½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
  
  
• 1–2 tsp raw honey or monk fruit (optional, to taste)
  
  
• Pinch of sea salt
  
  
• Toppings: mixed berries, hemp seeds, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of nut butter
  
  

Directions

1. In a 16-ounce mason jar or bowl, combine chia seeds, flaxseed, almond milk, yogurt, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey.
   
   
2. Stir well (or shake with lid on) until everything’s evenly mixed.
   
   
3. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then stir again to break up any clumps.
   
   
4. Refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours) until thickened.
   
   
5. In the morning, top with berries, hemp seeds, or a spoonful of nut butter.
   
   

Pro Tips

• Add a scoop of collagen powder or protein for satiety.
  
  
• Use kefir instead of milk for extra probiotic power.
  
  
• Rotate your plant milks (almond, cashew, oat, hemp) to increase fiber diversity.
  
  
• Try adding Tributyrin Supreme with breakfast for an extra butyrate boost.
  
  

My Current Wellness Stack (If you’re interested)

Here’s a peek at what I’m currently using to rebuild my gut, lower inflammation, support digestion, and optimize overall vitality. This is NOT a recommendation for everyone—just my personal protocol based on my GI Map and IgG results to show you how this can play into everyday life!

• NuButyrate (NubioAge)
  • A postbiotic butyrate supplement that feeds colon cells, lowers gut inflammation, and supports healthy motility. Great for rebuilding the gut lining and helping those “keystone species” thrive.
• Fatty15 (C15:0)
  • A pure fatty acid that supports metabolic health, mitochondrial function, cellular resilience, and inflammation balance. Basically: helps your cells act young again.
• Digestzymes (Designs for Health)
  • A blend of digestive enzymes to help break down protein, fat, and carbs—especially important with low pancreatic elastase. Helps reduce bloating, food reactivity, and slow digestion.
• Anaerostipes (Designs for Health)
  • A targeted probiotic that boosts short-chain fatty acid production (SCFAs) like butyrate. Incredible for gut repair, inflammation reduction, and supporting healthy bowel movements.
• Magnesium Glycinate (DFH)
  • Supports relaxation, sleep, stress resilience, and gentle muscle relaxation… including the GI tract. Great for regularity without aggressive laxative effects.
• FemGuard + Balance (DFH)
  • A hormone-balancing formula with nutrients and botanicals to support estrogen metabolism, adrenal function, PMS, and mood stability—especially helpful during gut repair when inflammation impacts hormones.
• Glycine (Thorne)
  • An amino acid that supports detoxification, sleep quality, collagen synthesis, and calming the nervous system. Also helps protect the gut lining and assist in phase II liver detox.
• Akkermansia (Pendulum Pro)
  • My favorite targeted probiotic. Supports metabolic health, tight junction integrity, mucosal barrier repair, and overall microbiome balance. Huge for those with deficiency dysbiosis.

Medications I’m Currently Using

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Helps reduce inflammation, modulate the immune system, and support gut-healing pathways. Also great for mood and inflammatory-driven symptoms.
• Nystatin Course (Short-term): An antifungal to address elevated Candida levels on my GI Map. Non-systemic and very gentle on the body.

Injectable Vitamin Support

• Glutathione 100 mg SubQ Once Weekly
  • The master antioxidant. Supports detoxification, reduces inflammation, improves skin clarity, and aids in overall cellular repair.
• NAD+ 50 mg Twice Weekly
  • Supports cellular energy, mitochondrial health, cognitive function, and metabolism. Great for stress, fatigue, and recovery.

IV Therapy

Enhanced Vitality IV + Glutathione Boost (Every Other Week)
 A replenishing blend of vitamins, minerals, and hydration to support immunity, stress resilience, and overall vitality—finished with a glutathione infusion for deep detoxification.