Ep 140: How Alcohol Affects Your Gut Health with Dr. Brooke Scheller

Oct 6

If you are into gut health, how the body works, or understanding the physiological impact of alcohol, you're going to LOVE this episode!

Dr. Brooke Scheller, a doctor of clinical nutrition and certified nutrition specialist, speaks with Karolina about all things gut health, nutrition, and the impact of alcohol on different areas of the body. This episode is filled with so many fascinating, scientific insights to living a healthier and happier life, and helpful tips to not only nourish but heal your body as you ditch alcohol.

Learn what's really going on under the surface when alcohol is introduced into our bodies, the best ways to restore your inner gut balance (hint: fiber and probiotics are key!), and the foods you'll want to make sure you include in every meal.

Harnessing the power of nutrition

It was September of 2020 when Dr. Brooke Scheller made a pitch for a book deal. After diving into research and starting to write her book, it was clear she had to shift things. With a background in clinical and macro-level nutritional work, she was well versed in all things related to gut health, but as her understanding of alcohol and its physiological impacts grew, she began reevaluating her own relationship with drinking.

Dr. Scheller left her job in June of 2021 to start her own business. Without coincidence, this also happened to be the same month she ditched alcohol! Dr. Scheller now focuses on inspiring people to use nutrition as part of their own alcohol-free journey. She works with clients to repair and restore their body, and she teaches them to harness the power of nutrition in ditching alcohol for the long term.

She reminds her clients that alcohol is addictive to anyone who drinks it, teaching them about the physiological dependency our bodies form around alcohol to help destigmatize the conversation around ditching alcohol.

The truth is, NOBODY wakes up the day after drinking, feeling like a million bucks, and both Dr. Scheller and myself want you to know the incredible benefits of ditching alcohol on your body and in your life!

Ditching alcohol and restoring inner gut balance.

“The gut.”

We hear this phrase a lot these days, but what does it actually mean?

The gut is a general term for our digestive system, referring to our small and large intestine, colon and part of our bowels. Dr. Scheller explains that our gut is filled with microbes, and these are made up of things like bacteria, yeast, viruses, parasites, and we need all of these things to stay alive. Our gut microbiome affects our digestive system in addition to ALL other organ systems in our body.

We all have good and bad bacteria in our bodies. The problem with alcohol is that it feeds the bad bacteria. So drinking contributes to an overgrowth of negative or harmful bacteria, while also lessening the amount of our good bacteria.

Drinking can also lead to something called leaky gut or intestinal permeability. The lining of our gut is made to only allow certain molecules and particles through it. When we introduce alcohol into our bodies, it can disrupt the lining of our gut, making its barrier become permeable. Dr. Scheller shared that this is linked to autoimmunity, inflammation, mood imbalances, and more!

So how do we improve and support our gut health?

I’m sure you can guess - the number one thing Dr. Scheller recommends is eliminating alcohol, but she also encourages an increase in our fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, and consuming probiotic-rich foods. Sauerkraut, kombucha, pickled vegetables, and yogurt are great options to improve your gut health and balance out your microbiome. And if introducing probiotics to your body results in a negative reaction, there might be more going on to look into.

We have an incredible ability to heal ourselves, and ditching alcohol is a key first step.

Replenishing nutrients and taking our vitamins.

The more we drink, the more we deplete our nutrients. The lower our nutrient levels, the lower our dopamine levels, and thus the more we want to drink. So there’s all this power we can reclaim by naturally boosting our dopamine and serotonin levels!

I talk a lot about finding ways to add fun and excitement to your life as you shift away from drinking. And this is so important to discover what brings you pleasure and joy.

What’s also incredible is that we can support ourselves in this journey through vitamins and minerals. Supplements like Vitamin C, B6, B12, and magnesium all play a part in our bodies ability to naturally produce dopamine.

Consuming protein and fiber-rich foods are core foundations to a good healthy diet, AND having these whole foods in every meal naturally provides your body with a lot of the vitamins and minerals it needs.

Alcohol is a toxin, so it’s no wonder we should consider going alcohol-free a priority when it comes to improving our health. Curiosity around ditching alcohol is growing and slowly but surely, the medical world is promoting its benefits. Because as Dr. Scheller and I know and want you to experience, living alcohol-free is the best decision you can make for your health and your life!

“I can absolutely say with certainty that getting sober, opened up a path for me on what I feel like is my life purpose, and that I had been struggling to find for so long. And by simply removing alcohol… my life changed so significantly.” DR. Brooke Scheller

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Learn more about Dr. Brooke Scheller and her work on her website including her online course: Functional Sobriety Academy. You can also follow her on Instagram for tips, tricks, and videos!

Become Euphoric, Karolina’s signature program has helped hundreds of women change their relationship with alcohol, discovering their identity beyond alcohol, and transform their lives! Learn more now!

Karolina’s book is available in hardcover, Kindle, and as an audiobook. Be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review.

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram

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