3 Functional Root Causes of Bloating That Often Go Missed
Bloating is one of the most common symptoms I see in clinic — yet most patients are told to just “take Gas-X” or “eat slower.” If you’ve tried cutting out beans, chewing your food carefully, and even taking probiotics but still feel like your belly swells by the end of the day, it’s time to dig deeper.
Functional medicine goes beyond symptom management and looks at what’s happening underneath. Here are three root causes of bloating that often go missed in conventional care.
1️⃣ Imbalanced Gut Microbiome
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help you digest food, regulate your immune system, and even produce vitamins. When there’s an imbalance — too many gas-producing bacteria or not enough of the good guys — you can end up with:
Excess fermentation → gas and distention
Food intolerances (especially FODMAPs)
IBS-like symptoms
Functional Testing Fix:
Comprehensive stool testing (like GI-MAP) shows which microbes are overgrown, which are low, and whether yeast or parasites are contributing. This helps create a targeted plan — often including antimicrobial herbs, digestive support, and strategic probiotics — instead of just guessing.
2️⃣ Low Stomach Acid or Digestive Enzyme Deficiency
Contrary to popular belief, too little stomach acid can cause bloating, heartburn, and discomfort. When your stomach isn’t breaking food down properly, large food particles reach the small intestine where they ferment and create gas.
Similarly, pancreatic enzymes and bile are key players in fat and protein digestion. If you’re not making enough, you may feel overly full after meals and notice floating or greasy stools.
Functional Testing Fix:
Stool tests and simple at-home assessments can uncover low acid or enzyme production. Treatment often includes betaine HCl, digestive enzymes, or bitters to retrain your body’s natural digestive process.
3️⃣ Gut-Brain Connection & Nervous System Dysregulation
Stress isn’t just “in your head” — it directly impacts digestion. If you’re living in a constant fight-or-flight mode, your body diverts blood flow away from digestion, slowing motility and leaving you feeling bloated and sluggish.
Functional Testing Fix:
A DUTCH test or cortisol rhythm panel can reveal whether chronic stress is keeping you stuck in sympathetic overdrive. Techniques like deep breathing, vagus nerve activation, and gentle exercise can help shift your body back to a rest-and-digest state.
The Bottom Line
Bloating isn’t always about what you eat — it’s often about how your body is processing food. By looking at the microbiome, digestive capacity, and stress response, we can finally get to the root cause and create a plan that brings relief.
If you’re tired of guessing and want to finally get answers, consider scheduling a functional medicine discovery call. Together, we can uncover what’s behind your bloating and map out a clear path forward.
📅 Book Your Free Discovery Call Here