Gut health has become a popular wellness buzzword, but its importance goes far deeper than the latest health trend. According to health coach Kelly Koppenal of HealthWorks Wellbeing Services, “When your gut is out of balance, it can impact everything from your hormones and energy levels to nutrient absorption, skin clarity and even mood.” In other words, your gut could be quietly steering your mental, skin and digestive health, whether it is in balance or not.
You might be eating well and following a clean, nutrient-dense diet, but if your gut isn’t functioning properly, your body may not be absorbing those nutrients effectively. That means you can still feel depleted with low energy and moody inflamed skin, despite doing everything “right.” You could also experience a gut imbalance, known as dysbiosis, which has been linked to insulin resistance, weight gain, inflammation and even colorectal cancer
Koppenal’s approach to gut healing is both foundational and flexible. It starts with supportive foods, like fruits, vegetables and fermented options like sauerkraut and kefir while cutting back on highly refined and processed foods. But for many, especially those dealing with persistent issues, a more targeted approach may be needed. That’s where the 5R Protocol comes in, a framework Koppenal uses with her clients to systematically restore gut function:
- Remove – Eliminate inflammatory foods, harmful microbes and daily stressors that may be harming your gut.
- Replace – Reintroduce digestive support, such as enzymes or bile acids, to help your system function optimally.
- Reinoculate – Add in the good bacteria with probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions and bananas.
- Repair – Support gut lining healing with nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc and soothing herbs like aloe vera.
- Rebalance – Maintain gut health by improving lifestyle habits around sleep, stress management and movement.
Koppenal doesn’t just coach on this, she has experienced it first-hand. A severe eczema flare-up left her in chronic pain, to the point where even showering was unbearable.
“I started functional testing, created a 3-month gut protocol and by the end of 12 weeks my skin was clearer than ever,” she shared. “I could even eat foods that used to trigger flare-ups.” Koppenal’s seen similar results with clients struggling with acne, eczema and chronic hives. When gut health is restored, skin clears and results last.
If you’re feeling stuck, experiencing low mood, irritated skin, bloating or fatigue, do not ignore your gut. It might be the missing piece to truly feeling well.
