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Listen To Your Gut

Listen To Your Gut

Written by: Jini Patel Thompson
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 Motivation, Inspiration and Hope for healing digestive diseases naturally. Your deep body wisdom knows what you need; techniques and resources to help you connect and listen to your gut. LOTS more tools, tutorials, and home remedies at ListenToYourGut.com© 2023 Listen To Your Gut Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • How to Heal IBS and SIBO Naturally with Natren’s Probiotics

    How to Heal IBS and SIBO Naturally with Natren’s Probiotics
    Dec 24 2025
    Probiotic Protocols to Heal IBS and SIBO Naturally Introduction As many of my readers know, I have stayed drug free and surgery free from widespread Crohn’s disease for over 25 years. In this series, I interview my long‑time colleague, Natasha Trenev. She is the founder and owner of Natren Probiotics. Many people call her the mother of probiotics. She had probiotic standards read into the U.S. Congressional Record. If our industry followed those standards, probiotic supplements would be far better today. I asked Natasha to join me for a series of deep‑dive calls. I want to bring her knowledge into the mainstream. She has worked in this field for 60 years. She is 77 and still working because she sees so many chronically ill adults and children. We both care deeply. We also use critical thinking. We test ideas. We keep what works. We discard what does not. This blog is based on my in-depth interview with Natasha Trenev, the Mother of Probiotics. You can watch the complete episode in this video: Or you can listen to the podcast: In this post, I share what we discussed about irritable bowel syndrome and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. I also share the exact protocol I use, with probiotic species and herbal antimicrobials. IBS and SIBO: What They Are and Why They Matter What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Doctors use this term when the digestive tract looks normal on tests. Yet symptoms persist. IBS symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or a mix. These symptoms affect quality of life. Work, school, travel, and relationships suffer. IBS does not always get labeled as inflammatory. But inflammation often plays a role. The gut microbiota becomes imbalanced. Gut motility slows or speeds up. The immune system overreacts or underreacts. Food breaks down into particle sizes that feed bad bacteria. The result is discomfort and distress. What is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth means too many bacteria live in the small intestine. Bacteria should be dense in the large intestine. The small intestine should hold fewer microbes. In SIBO, fermentation happens too early. This triggers gas, distention, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Nutrient absorption suffers. Fatty acids may not get absorbed well. Fat‑soluble vitamins can drop. Many people labeled with IBS also have SIBO. Breath tests try to detect it. These tests can help. They can also miss cases. Clinical trials use them with a placebo group to measure change, but real life is messier. Root causes and risk factors Root causes differ by person. Common risk factors include low stomach acid, chronic stress, past antibiotic therapy, use of proton pump inhibitors, slowed gut motility, food poisoning, and abdominal surgery. Leaky gut, also called increased intestinal permeability, can add to the load. The gut microbiome shifts. The immune response becomes confused. I aim my protocol at these causes. Why I Trust Natasha Trenev’s Perspective Natasha’s standards focus on strain specificity, potency through expiry, and proper delivery. She warns against vague labels like “probiotic blend.” She rejects soil‑based probiotics for most people with IBS or SIBO. She focuses on traditional probiotics with documented safety and clear strain IDs. She has watched the industry change. She has also seen misinformation explode. She and I agree. A colon cleanse is not what most IBS patients need. A careful, staged plan is needed instead. Natasha also reminds us that the intestinal lining is only one cell thick. Those cells turn over every three to five days. Attached bacteria shed with those cells. So regular intake of live microorganisms is needed. This is why daily probiotic supplementation matters. How IBS Feels Day to Day IBS with diarrhea can rule a person’s life. Natasha shared how many people plan routes by bathrooms. The urge hits fast. Accidents happen. Fear grows. IBS with constipation is also miserable. Gas builds. Pain increases. The digestive tract feels stuck. Either pattern hurts. Pain often comes from trapped gas and nerve irritation. When food does not fully digest, the wrong bacteria feast on it. They make excess gas. Neurons in the gut wall get irritated. Abdominal pain follows. Post‑meal discomfort can appear minutes after eating. My Core Philosophy: Reduce, Rebuild, Repeat I recommend a simple cycle. Reduce harmful microbes. Rebuild beneficial bacteria. Repeat as needed. I learned this the hard way with my own gut. I then tested it with hundreds of readers. Step 1. Reduce pathogens during the day In my protocol, I use a powerful herbal antimicrobial approach. Wild oregano oil works well for many people. It is taken up to five times per day during a defined “kill phase.” This is not used forever, but in pulses. Some people also rotate in other herbal antimicrobials such as olive leaf ...
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  • Imix Natural Supplements for Crohn’s, Colitis, IBD & Gut Healing

    Imix Natural Supplements for Crohn’s, Colitis, IBD & Gut Healing
    Dec 9 2025
    How Imix Supplements Support Gut Healing and Immune Health My Journey with Digestive Disease When I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, I was swamped with fear and confusion. Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease. They involve an attack the digestive tract, and cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bleeding. My doctors suggested surgery and steroids. But I refused. I wanted a different path. I wanted to support my body’s ability to heal without harsh interventions. A massive colonic hemorrhage pushed me to create my first formula. I had ten mercury fillings removed at once. Without any detox support, my body was poisoned and went into crisis. My weight dropped to 99 pounds. My albumin levels collapsed. I could not walk. The medical system had no answers. My choice was surgery, steroids, or finding another way. I chose to heal. You can watch the video to hear more about how I healed from Crohn’s disease, and what led me to formulate these powerful healing tools: Or you can listen to the podcast: About This Episode Everything you ever wanted to know about how and why I formulated each of my powerful healing formulas for Imix Nutrition Inc. Learn how all of these products arose from my own healing journey – things I needed, which did not exist at the time. This video/podcast was a training session I held for doctors and health practitioners. They wanted to learn how they can best use products like Absorb Plus, QuikPlus Minerals, MultiAbsorb, and MucosaCalm to help their patients heal. What we cover: Introduction and Jini’s healing journeyWhy the digestive tract and immune system need gentle careThe elemental diet and the creation of Absorb PlusDifferent versions of Absorb Plus explainedSuccess stories with elemental diet and Crohn’s patientsMultiAbsorb~Daily Essentials for complete nutrientsQuikPlus Minerals: magnesium, iron, silica, trace minerals, bone supportColon support formulas for constipation and diarrheaHealing the mucosal lining with herbs and nutrientsThe role of diet in long-term remissionWorking with healthcare providers and blood testsFrom survival to thriving: living medication-freeFinal thoughts and encouragement to Listen to Your Gut Why the Digestive Tract Needs Gentle Care The digestive tract is not only where food is broken down. It is a key part of the immune system. Chronic inflammation in the small intestine and large intestine can weaken the entire body. Nutrient deficiencies often follow. Red blood cells may become low due to iron deficiency or folate deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is common. Fatty acids and other essential vitamins become depleted. Blood tests can show these imbalances, but often they are not addressed. Traditional treatments focus on suppressing symptoms. But side effects can be severe. Long-term drug usage creates new health risks. That is why alternative medicine and dietary supplements can play such an important role. Supporting the immune response and the body’s natural healing mechanisms can be safer for many Crohn’s patients. The Elemental Diet and Absorb Plus When I was at my weakest, I created Absorb Plus. This elemental shake became my lifeline. For six weeks, I drank nine shakes a day. I gained weight, restored my strength, and healed my gut lining. Within 7 weeks, I rode my bike to the gym, where I worked out. All Crohn’s symptoms went into remission. Absorb Plus works like a liquid diet. It contains pre-digested nutrients that the digestive system can absorb without stress. It is like breast milk for adults. There are several versions: Whey isolate formula – Casein-free and lactose-free. Gentle for those with dairy product sensitivity.Simply version – Uses natural fructose instead of refined sugars.Vegan version – Made with sprouted organic rice protein isolate.Amino version – Based only on free-form amino acids. Most hypoallergenic version, but not suitable for weight gain. Absorb Plus has helped many ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s patients avoid feeding tubes and parenteral nutrition. Clinical studies on elemental diets show positive effects on disease activity. Side effects are minimal compared to steroids. The health benefits include weight gain, symptom relief, and reduced intestinal inflammation. MultiAbsorb for Daily Nutrients When I healed, I wanted to thrive. I grew tired of opening 20 supplement bottles every morning. So I created MultiAbsorb. It combines essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in one scoop. No fillers. No flow agents. No chemicals. MultiAbsorb Daily Essential provides folic acid, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, and other key nutrients in balanced amounts. MultiAbsorb Immune Booster adds supergreens, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants. Clinical trials confirm the importance of these compounds for immune function. Blood tests can track deficiencies and guide dosage. Nutritional supplements like MultiAbsorb help prevent long-term nutrient ...
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  • Bacteria Intelligence & Toxins: How to Protect and Help your Body Thrive

    Bacteria Intelligence & Toxins: How to Protect and Help your Body Thrive
    Nov 12 2025
    Bacteria as Intelligent Allies: My Conversation with Natasha Trenev I recently had another conversation with my dear friend Natasha Trenev, founder of Natren and known worldwide as the Mother of Probiotics. Natasha has spent more than 60 years in the field of fermented foods. She was the first to introduce probiotics to North America back in 1982, long before most people even knew what the word meant. We spoke about how environmental toxins are destroying our microbiome, how bacteria are far more intelligent than we realize, and what simple steps we can all take to heal our bodies and our homes. As many of you know, I healed myself from widespread Crohn’s disease and have been drug and surgery free for almost 30 years. I’ve spent the last 25 years helping others do the same. Natasha and I are aligned in our mission: to restore health by protecting and nurturing the microbiome. This blog is based on my in-depth interview with her. You can watch the complete episode in this video: Or listen to the podcast: We talked about how chemicals and pesticides disrupt the microbiome, why bacteria are intelligent beings, and what simple steps can detox your home. We also explored traditional foods, the probiotic strains that truly help, and how mindset and emotional healing create a healthy inner terrain. The discussion also highlighted bacteria as intelligent, sentient beings: Bacteria are smarter than viruses and compete with yeast for intelligenceThey don’t waste energy on actions that don’t benefit themBacteria communicate with each other and immune cells using photon light emission and chemical meansThey respond to human emotions and thoughts, affecting fermentation processesBacteria make decisions based on their best interests, not out of love for humansThey can help detoxify the body and support overall health when given the right environmentTalking positively to bacteria and expressing gratitude can enhance their beneficial effectsThis perspective emphasizes treating bacteria as conscious partners in health rather than just passive supplements. How do Bacteria communicate with immune cells? Natasha explained something very interesting about the various mechanisms bacteria use to communicate. Our bacteria are constantly in conversation with our immune system. They are not silent passengers, they are actively guiding what happens in our bodies. They do this in three main ways: 1. Chemical Signaling They release specific molecules that plug into immune cell receptorsThey also produce compounds that change how immune cells behave 2. Direct Contact Their surface proteins can physically touch immune receptorsThis contact tells the immune cells what action to take 3. Photon Light Emission Yes, bacteria actually emit tiny light signalsOur immune cells can detect and respond to those signals Through these methods, bacteria can influence how our immune system reacts, when it should calm down, and how inflammation is regulated. The communication goes both ways. Immune cells send messages back, and the bacteria adjust accordingly. When our microbiome is healthy, this back-and-forth keeps the body balanced. When it’s damaged, the lines of communication break down, and that’s when trouble begins. Bacteria Also Respond to Our Emotions But here’s where it gets even more interesting: bacteria also respond to our thoughts and emotions. Natasha shared that in fermentation labs, if the person tending the cultures came in with negative energy, the batch often failed. The bacteria simply refused to “set” properly. This is why I actually talk to my probiotics when I drink them. I thank them for coming to help me. I send them love. It might sound strange, but these are sentient beings. They respond to the environment we create: both physically and emotionally. When we treat them as partners rather than passive supplements, they often do more for us. Chemicals, Pesticides, and the Explosion of Chronic Disease We also discussed about the chemicals in our food, water, and air. Most people don’t realize that these are not just “pesticides” or “weed killers.” Many of them were originally patented as antibiotics. Glyphosate, for example, was first patented as a very potent antibiotic. So every time we eat conventionally grown food, we are taking in micro-doses of antibiotics. These chemicals don’t just stay in the soil, they enter our food, our water, and even the air we breathe. They can also pass through the skin simply by touching pesticide-laden produce. What do these chemicals do? They disrupt our natural microbiome. They upset the balance of bacteria not only in the gut, but also in the reproductive organs, bloodstream, and even brain cells. They act as endocrine disruptors, throwing off the delicate balance of hormones. They also interfere with how we metabolize sugar and regulate blood glucose. When our microbiome is under constant assault like this, the immune system has no choice but to go into ...
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