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Writer's pictureJosh Williams

Why Gut Health Optimisation Outshines Naturopathy

Written by Joshua K. Williams BSc, BBiomed, MSc, Founder and Director of The Gut Guy.


Are you tired of managing your symptoms with confusing lists of natural supplements and prescription meds that never seem to actually address the root cause?


Frustrated by spending hundreds of dollars on specialist appointments, only to leave with more questions than answers and no support?


If you're exhausted from trying ineffective natural remedies, navigating the restrictive diets of naturopaths, and wasting money on supplements without clear results, you're not alone.


The flood of misinformation online makes it challenging to know who to trust.

But what if there was a better way? A way to get precise, targeted testing and professional guidance that will rapidly improve your health.


Introducing: The Gut Guy

That’s me, Josh, or “The Gut Guy,” as my clients call me.


I’m no stranger to problems with my health. I was overweight and feeling the pressure of bad lifestyle choices.


That’s why I’m taking you on my transformative journey of losing 40 kilograms in 4 months by addressing my poor gut health.


I also have some inspiring testimonials from my clients who achieved complete remission from various health issues (not just weight gain) through optimising their poor gut health.


Last but not least, I’ll explain why traditional naturopathic approaches aren’t good enough in most cases.


At the end of the article, I’ll be providing a comprehensive step-by-step guide on what optimising your gut health can do for you and your unique health situation.


Why Gut Health?


The balance of good and bad bugs that call our intestines home, is crucial for maintaining overall health.


Factors like poor diet, poor sleep, stress, drugs, medication, smoking, micro-plastics, genetics, or infections—disrupt the balance between your good and bad bugs.


When these good bugs are missing or in low numbers, they can't produce any or a sufficient amount of hormones, vitamins, neurotransmitters or anti-inflammatory molecules.


When these bad bugs are present or overgrown, they can produce toxic substances like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.


As a result, it may lead to the onset or exacerbation of many distressing diseases, symptoms, and conditions we commonly experience today.


Therefore, restoring the balance of your good and bad bugs to their optimal state, offers a new treatment avenue, that may tackle the underlying causes of many common illnesses.


For me, it felt like my entire life I was driving in second gear, just existing. However, by achieving my best gut health, I have been able to transform my life in ways I could only dream of before.


Now, my dreams have become a reality.


At The Gut Guy, we're on a mission to change the world one tummy at a time by restoring your gut health, the right way.


Why Naturopath Treatments Don't Work Initially

Naturopaths are limited because their treatments essentially boil down to prescribing over-hyped supplements, lifestyle advice, and specific dietary recommendations that may only address the symptoms rather than finding the root cause. Gut health goes a step deeper. By fixing your gut first, we can potentially address underlying issues that may be causing your symptoms. Once your gut health is optimised, it may then be appropriate to seek the additional guidance of a naturopath.


Here are some of the key reasons my clients and I found as to why relying on naturopaths was not the best idea:


1. Limited Diagnostic Accuracy: Naturopaths use various diagnostic methods, including reviewing health history, physical exams, and laboratory tests. This is good and often helpful, but their assessments can get off track when they use theories that blend conventional methods with alternative ones. That’s why following their advice can lead to less accurate or reliable diagnoses.


2. Symptom Management Over Root Causes: Naturopathic treatments often focus on alleviating symptoms rather than directly addressing the underlying causes of health issues. For instance, a naturopath might treat chronic fatigue with herbal supplements for adrenal support, which can help you feel more energised but doesn’t solve the root cause of the fatigue. It’s like drinking more coffee to deal with a lack of sleep. You want to address the root causes, such as gut imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or hormonal problems.


3. High Costs Without Proven Benefits: The range of tests and treatments recommended by naturopaths can be expensive. And yet, many of these treatments need to be proven, leading to a lot of experimentation with few clear results.


4. Risks and Side Effects: Some naturopathic treatments, such as certain herbal remedies or supplements, can interact negatively with conventional medications or cause side effects, adding unnecessary risks to your health regimen. The interactions between these are poorly understood, especially if you are on a complex regimen.


5. Naturopaths Fail to Restore Gut Health

As stated previously, the balance between good and bad bugs in your microbiome is critical. If this imbalance persists, it can lead to the development of various symptoms and conditions. Naturopaths cannot legally prescribe targeted antimicrobial therapies to eliminate the bad bugs and lack the resources to fully restore all of your good bugs. The first step should be achieving your best gut health through evidence-based, next-generation gut health restoration solutions. Only then can seeing a naturopath be more effective.


The Bottom Line

While naturopathy emphasises natural and holistic approaches, which might be more appealing to conventional medical practices, they aren’t yet proven reliable.

For truly effective treatment, especially for complex or chronic conditions, it's best to consult healthcare professionals who use evidence-based practices and have the necessary tools to diagnose and treat the root causes of health problems.


However, there are still many ailments that can be supported by better gut health, which is supported by evidence and is part of a healthy daily routine.


At The Gut Guy, we prioritise restoring gut health as a foundational step to overall well-being. We use scientifically validated methods to address potential root causes of health issues. For me and my clients, this has worked wonders at a much lower cost than the often symptom-focused approach of naturopathy. The following comparative table delineates the key differences between natural health practitioners and The Gut Guy.





Dysbiosis (Poor Gut Health): The Key Factor Behind Rising Global Health Issues

There has been an alarming increase in digestive, immune, metabolic, neurological, and psychiatric diseases worldwide (1).


A major factor driving this surge is dysbiosis, an imbalance between the beneficial and harmful microorganisms in our gut (2).


What is Dysbiosis?

Dysbiosis or more commonly referred to as “microbial imbalance” occurs when there’s an imbalance in the trillions of microorganisms in our gastrointestinal tract. As much as our instinct may be to get rid of these, they are a natural part of our bodies with their own ecosystem and symbiosis with our bodily system. However, some of them, or the lack of some, can cause issues (2).


Recent studies have shown more and more that our gut microbiome is crucial for our overall health (2).


These trillions of microorganisms work with our bodily systems to produce essential biological compounds and signals that impact every cell in our body.



Figure 1: Good microbes in a healthy state vs overgrowth of numerous bad microbes (3)


How Dysbiosis Affects Health


Figure 2: Shows an imbalance of good and bad bugs can impact every bodily system (2)


1. Digestive Issues: Dysbiosis can cause symptoms like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It disrupts the normal digestive processes, leading to discomfort and poor nutrient absorption (4).


2. Immune System Dysfunction: A healthy gut microbiome is essential for a strong immune system. Dysbiosis can weaken immune responses, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases (5).


3. Metabolic Disorders: Poor gut health has been linked to metabolic issues such as obesity, diabetes, and even cardiovascular diseases. The gut microbiome plays a role in regulating metabolism and energy balance (6).


4. Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions: Emerging research shows a strong connection between gut health and brain function. Dysbiosis has been associated with mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline (7).


5. Inflammation and Allergies: An imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to chronic inflammation, the root cause of many diseases, including autoimmune disorders and allergies (8, 9).


This diagram illustrates a comprehensive list of the potential impacts dysbiosis can have on the body.


Lifestyle Triggers of Dysbiosis: Unveiling Potential Culprits

Now that we’ve covered some of the positive ways to improve your gut health, let’s look at the causes of poor gut health.


Poor gut health, or dysbiosis, can be triggered by many different factors. These include:

● Genetic Predispositions: Some people are just naturally more prone to dysbiosis (10).

Infections: Certain infections can disrupt your gut balance (11).

Dietary Choices: High-sugar, low-fibre diets, fast food, and certain oils can lead to dysbiosis (12).

Overusing Antibiotics: Use antibiotics only as needed at a doctor’s discretion. They can cause significant disruptions in the gut microbiome (13).

Alcohol and Artificial Sweeteners: Alcohol and sweeteners like Stevia can negatively affect gut health (14, 15).

Microplastics, Pesticides, and Food Additives: These chemicals can appear in non-organic produce and food additives like emulsifiers and thickeners and disrupt the gut microbiome (16, 17, 18).

Lifestyle Factors: A sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, stress, and limited outdoor exposure can also contribute (19).

Contraceptive Medications and Smoking: Both can negatively impact gut health (20, 21).


So, How Do We Restore Your Gut Health? Step 1 – Free 40-Minute Consultation

In your free 40-minute consultation, we will review your current health challenges thoroughly to determine whether a gut health treatment is right for you.


During the consult, we will discuss how poor gut health may be the root cause of certain health concerns. This session includes analysing past test results and evaluating your supplement regimen for efficacy and cost-effectiveness.


We can then explore your health goals together in-depth and provide a personalised roadmap to achieve these objectives. Throughout the consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.


Simply schedule your complimentary consultation via Zoom or a phone call by simply clicking here. 


Also, to see how we have transformed my clients lives, check out our 35+ 5-star reviews by clicking here. 


Cost: Free


Step 2 – Comprehensive Gut Health Test 

After you take our comprehensive test of your gut health, we can build your personalised roadmap to better gut health.


We’ll work with you to design a treatment plan tailored to your specific concerns, preferences, and test results.


Below, you can see my results from the test. My gut health has greatly impacted my overall health and well-being, and this test is what started me on the path.


The results can be used to determine the exact state of one’s gut microbiome, helping to decide which antimicrobial therapy is best for removing the bad actors while also helping to determine which good bugs should be added or cared for better.


Cost: $569


What Do The Results Mean? 


The five bacteria shown in the above chart can lead to numerous adverse health outcomes through various mechanisms. Due to time constraints, I will focus on the most extreme one in my case: Klebsiella pneumoniae.


In my body, Klebsiella pneumoniae is overgrown by 4120% in my gut. This bacterium is known for causing severe infections like pneumonia, urinary tract

infections, and liver abscesses. It has mechanisms to evade the immune system and resist many antibiotics.


Overgrowth of bad bugs in the gut disrupts the balance of good bugs, leading to issues like insulin resistance, obesity, increased gut permeability, and systemic inflammation (22).


Biofilm and Antimicrobial Resistance

You can also evaluate whether the harmful microbes in your gut are surrounded by a biofilm protective layer, which shields them from our immune system and many types of treatment. A medical specialist can determine if the microbe is resistant to specific antibiotics, and it might require a combination of targeted antimicrobials to kill such resistant bacteria effectively (23).


A Close Analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae


Impact on Mental Health

Klebsiella pneumoniae also produces pro-inflammatory cytokines, triggering inflammation that disrupts the gut-brain axis—a network linking the gut and brain.


These cytokines are signalling molecules that trigger inflammation in the body. If you think of pro-inflammatory cytokines as petrol and inflammation as a fire, pouring petrol on a fire will result in a bigger fire. In the gut, we don’t want a big fire (24).


This chronic inflammation can lead to neuro-inflammation (brain inflammation), which reduces the production of crucial "happy hormones" like serotonin, GABA, and dopamine (25). Over time, this can result in anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, all of which were affecting me.


Medical Guidelines and Treatment

Medical guidelines recommend antibiotics and diet modifications to treat a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the gut as indicated below.


Broader Impact of Harmful Microbes

This example highlights how harmful microbes can initiate various human diseases.

This organised overview underscores the importance of specialised medical care in addressing complex gut health issues and the limitations of alternative practitioners in effectively treating bacterial infections in the gut.


Next Steps

After taking antibiotics that target harmful bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae, it’s time to replenish the beneficial microbes to further improve my symptoms. My test result below shows the main types of beneficial bacteria that constitute the highest percentage in the gut.



Due to low levels of Akkermansia, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bacteroides longum, my body was not producing enough of essential compounds, potentially contributing to debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms and weight struggles.


As we touched on earlier, recent research has uncovered that a contributing factor to anxiety and depression is something called brain inflammation (25). Therefore, by reducing brain inflammation we can aim to reduce anxiety and depression-like symptoms. So how do we do this? One way is by increasing the number of good bugs inside our gut that actually produce anti-inflammatory molecules that travel up to the brain and fight off the inflammation; like fireman using water to reduce flames in a fire.


For example, Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides longum produce a compound called ZPS, which binds to specific immune cells. These immune cells then produce inflammatory molecules molecules that help to reduce the fire going on inside the brain, potentially affecting anxiety and depression (26). If these bacteria are present but in low numbers, how can they produce these molecules?


So why not combine gut therapy with medication or talk therapy to really help combat mental illness from a holistic point of view. Or maybe gut therapy alone is enough?


This is just one of many examples of how improving gut health can enhance or even replace existing treatments.


My gut health specialist will guide you on what’s best for your unique situation


The standard way to restore these good microbes is by taking probiotics. Traditionally, naturopaths have prescribed probiotics containing Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. However, as my results show, I don't need these particular strains, making conventional probiotics a waste of time and money.


Additionally, scientists have only managed to produce around 30 different beneficial microbes commercially, and Bacteroides fragilis is not among them. So, how can I achieve optimal gut health without access to Bacteroides fragilis? We solve this.


My naturopath would have recommended I take a probiotic containing Akkermansia and Bacteroides Longum, substitutes that are widely available for purchase. However, hundreds of other good microbes that re not on my test result have not been detected but still play a crucial role in human health. How can I access all of these? Should I take 100 different probiotics?


Beneficial microbes break down food like fibre and vitamins from our diet and produce essential substances like amino acids and fatty acids, vital for energy, digestion, mood regulation, and weight management.


By restoring my gut health, I no longer suffer from these issues and am thriving.


Weight Loss


A specific imbalance in your gut microbiome, characterised by high Firmicutes and low Bacteroides, is considered a gold-standard indicator of obesity (27) as seen above in my test results. This configuration is the gold standard used to identify individuals at risk for weight-related issues. Here’s how we look at the two and how they can influence your ability to gain or lose weight:


Greater Calorie Extraction From Food: Firmicutes are adept at breaking down complex carbohydrates, extracting more calories from food. This means your gut is able to gain more energy from the same amount of food another person eats. This heightened efficiency in calorie extraction can contribute to weight gain (28).


More Fat Storage: Firmicutes also promote the storage of dietary fats in adipose tissue. This mechanism further complicates weight loss efforts as excess fat is stored rather than used for energy. Once stored, your body sends hunger signals instead of using the fat it just spent energy to store (29).


Altered Appetite: Imbalances in gut microbiota can also influence appetite-regulating hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin, leading to increased hunger and reduced satiety signals. This dysregulation can result in overeating and difficulty controlling food intake. New drugs like semaglutide can help individuals lose weight by reducing appetite, and rebalancing one’s microbiome can have a similar effect (30, 31).


Collectively, these three mechanisms may contribute to many difficulties in weight management, making it easier to gain weight, more challenging to shed excess pounds, and harder to keep the weight off despite one’s best efforts.


Step 3: Gut Health Doctor Review

Once we’ve gotten your test results, I (The Gut Guy) will review your results together with you.


From here, I will access the level of care you require and if I deem your level of care to be out of my scope of capabilities, it’s time for our gut health doctor to review your results (not The Gut Guy).


With a wealth of experience and cutting-edge knowledge, our highly-trusted and respected gut health doctor will interpret the intricate details of your microbiome composition and its implications for your overall health.


Using the latest research on gut health science, the specialist can craft a treatment plan with your results that involves targeted interventions to address the most significant concerns with your gut health profile.


These next-generation gut health solutions are derived from natural sources, using the latest discoveries of gut health restoration.


Cost: $200


Step 4: Personalised Gut Health Treatment

In this phase, you'll receive a customised treatment plan designed to rebalance your gut health into its optimal state.


Drawing upon insights from your individualised test results and your level of care required, either myself or our highly trusted gut health medical specialist, will tailor a plan to address the root causes of your specific symptoms and concerns using two main strategies: antimicrobials and microbial replenishment.


Every aspect of your plan will be meticulously crafted to target your unique gut health profile for fast and effective results.


The specialist's recommendations may also include dietary changes, targeted supplements, lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic interventions.


Here’s why our gut health medical specialist is unrivalled in restoring gut health:


● Antimicrobial Strategy: We use antimicrobials (antifungals, antibiotics, antiparasitics and herbal remedies) as a precise tool to eliminate harmful microbes, such as parasites, fungi, or bacteria, which may be disrupting your gut health. These antimicrobials are targeted to minimise any impact on beneficial microbes, ensuring your microbiome remains balanced.


Comprehensive Microbial Restoration: When people have a healthy gut, normally inside your intestines is where over 1000 individual microbes call home. Scientists have only managed to produce around 30 different beneficial microbes commercially. Our approach includes an unrivalled solution providing access to all 1,000 beneficial microbes using next-generation gut health restoration solutions. Unlike traditional probiotics, which offer a limited variety of good microbes, our method allows us to pick and choose from the 1000 beneficial microbes you actually need, restoring your gut health to an optimal state.


For my clients concerned about taking antimicrobials like antibiotics, rest assured that we use them solely as a tool to eliminate harmful bacteria. If antibiotics are necessary, we will immediately replenish the beneficial bacteria in your microbiome following your course of treatment. This approach helps mitigate any potential damage to your microbiome caused by antibiotics.


With this personalised roadmap in hand, you'll be able to experience tangible, real improvements in your symptoms within months. By targeting the harmful microbes first and then introducing a diverse array of good bacteria, we have a very controlled method for achieving excellent gut health results. This dual approach sets The Gut Guy apart, making us the best in the world at achieving your best gut health.


The reason why there is a wide range in the price is because it depends on the level of care you require, in order to achieve your best gut health.


Cost: $500 - $4000


Step 5: Post-Treatment Consultations

After starting your treatment plan, you can visit us anytime for crucial guidance on preventing the re-emergence of prior gut health issues, and advice on preserving your gut health. This service is considered a post-medical treatment follow-up.

It comprehensively covers all pertinent aspects tailored to your needs, equipping you with the necessary skills to sustain optimal gut health and attain broader health objectives.


Cost: $399 - $699


Below is a list of services that we cover in our follow-up consultations.


1. Detailed Health Analysis

● We’ll review all your past medical test results to clarify their significance for you and provide extra guidance on the next steps.

● We’ll also happily assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of your current supplement regimen to ensure it’s right for you.

● Evidence-based recommendations for supplements, weight reduction strategies, and gut health tests.


2. Personalised Support

● You’ll receive unlimited short phone calls, texts and emails to address any questions you may have.

● We can offer assistance in evaluating other healthcare practitioners you may be considering for complementary support.


3. Nutrition and Lifestyle

● Identify harmful products and enjoy gut-friendly recipes.

● Receive tailored nutrition advice and a personalised roadmap to achieve your health goals.


Total Cost for Steps 1-5

$1668 - $5168


Total Time

1-3 months


End Result

This dual approach of combining a medical approach (step 4) and and the knowledge of how to continue to maintain your gut health for the rest of your life (step 5) is what sets The Gut Guy apart from every other naturopath, gut health coach, or functional doctor, making us the best in the world at achieving your best gut health.


Conclusion

Don’t let the flood of misinformation and the limitations of traditional naturopathic treatments hold you back. With The Gut Guy, you can experience the transformative power of achieving your gut health, the right way.


If you feel like this could be the answer you're looking for, then simply schedule a no-obligation and complimentary consultation with The Gut Guy. The consultation is pretty basic, it's really more for us to find out about what your symptoms are, what treatments you have tried in the past and present, what medication or supplements you're currently taking, review previous test results and answer any questions you may have. From there we can establish what results you're currently getting and compare that to what you might be wanting, just to see what that gap looks like. Towards the end of the call, if you feel like our gut health solution might be what you're looking for, we can discuss possible next steps.


Simply schedule your complimentary consultation via Zoom or phone call by simply clicking here.


Also, too see how we have transformed my clients lives, check out our 35+ 5-star reviews by clicking here.


I look forward to working with you and getting your gut health back on track.


It worked for me. Why not for you?





  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35336153/

  2. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.999001/full

  3. https://ecosh.com/dysbiosis-microbial-imbalance-symptoms-causes-and-natural-treatment/

  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36862903/

  5. https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2017.7#:~:text=A%20healthy%20or%20dysbiotic%20microbiota,state%20of%20the%20immune%20system.

  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36270676/#:~:text=Disruption%20in%20the%20composition%20of,disease%20as%20well%20as%20atherosclerosis.

  7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apm.13225

  8. https://www.nature.com/articles/mi201675

  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10255222/

  10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24578801/

  11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33451143/

  12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5751248/

  13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36834485/

  14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513683/

  15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6363527/

  16. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-04489-w

  17. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/7/6147

  18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9479712/

  19. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-78642-2

  20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33876556/

  21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8678690/

  22. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/dysbiosis

  23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9884580/

  24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9766508/

  25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7056473/

  26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8708963/

  27. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41387-024-00291-5

  28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3127503/

  29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7285218/

  30. https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-021-01093-y

  31. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(23)00484-X/fulltext


Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The content is written by Joshua K. Williams, BSc, BBiomed, MSc, Founder and Director of The Gut Guy. While the information shared reflects the personal experiences and opinions of the author, it is important to remember that individual health conditions and circumstances vary.


This blog post discusses various health issues related to gut health, as well as the potential benefits of specific gut health treatments. However, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.


Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. The treatments and health solutions discussed may not be suitable for everyone, and individual results may vary. Additionally, the use of certain supplements, herbal remedies, or other treatments can interact with medications and cause side effects.


It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications. This is why my gut health solution involves a medical specialist to ensure that each treatment plan is tailored to the unique needs and health status of the individual.


The Gut Guy are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions, preparations, or procedures discussed in this blog post. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk.


If you have any concerns about your health or the content of this blog post, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. For a comprehensive and personalised assessment of your gut health, consider scheduling a consultation with a medical specialist.



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