Ep 68: The 9 Hidden Causes of Chronic Constipation (& why more fiber hasn't worked)
The Nutrient Dense PodcastShow Notes
Constipated regardless of how healthy you eat? Staying hydrated, eating fiber, but still struggling to have regular bowel movements? You don't have a laxative deficiency. It's time to dig deeper. Constipation is NOT just a fiber issue. In this training-style episode, I'm walking you through the true root causes of chronic constipation - the ones that most conventional approaches completely miss. We're diving into digestion, gut microbiome imbalances, nervous system regulation, thyroid health, and more so you can finally understand why your body isn't moving the way it should.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: What a healthy bowel movement actually looks like Why fiber, laxatives, and hydration often don't fix the issue The connection between constipation, hormones, acne, and toxin buildup Why you may feel worse adding more fiber The role of digestion, gut bacteria, and motility in regularity Why traveling can trigger constipation (and how to fix it) How multiple root causes often overlap (it's rarely just one thing)
LINKS: Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free! Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off Listen to Episode 24 - Low Stomach Acid: A Hidden Cause of Chronic Bloating & Digestive Issues Listen to Episode 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire Listen to Episode 7 - Common Gut Imbalances: SIBO, Candida Overgrowth, Dysbiosis, IBS & More
CONNECT WITH HANNAH: Instagram | Website
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨
More from The Nutrient Dense Podcast
In this episode, I'm breaking down what a realistic gut repair timeline can look like, why some clients notice changes within weeks while others need several months, and what influences that process. I explain why we work in phases, what our priming phase involves, and why ongoing support and adjustments are such important parts of our approach.
You're eating well, taking care of yourself, and doing the things that used to make you feel good - but suddenly your sleep, digestion, mood, and weight are changing. What gives?
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—and they're one of the most important pieces of gut health that I don't think we talk about enough. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three primary short-chain fatty acids—butyrate, acetate, and propionate—and explaining how they influence your gut barrier, immune system, inflammation, metabolic health, and even the pH of your colon.
Rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have risen dramatically over the last several decades, but why? In today's episode, I'm joined by holistic nutritionist and physician consultant Josh Dech for a conversation about inflammatory bowel disease, the gut microbiome, environmental exposures, and the many factors that may influence why someone develops chronic digestive disease. Josh specializes in Crohn's, colitis, and severe IBS and shares both his personal health journey and the framework he uses when working with complex IBD cases.
Have you ever cleaned up your diet only to find yourself more bloated, gassy, constipated, nauseous, or uncomfortable than you were before? You've added in more veggies and gut health foods and instead of feeling amazing, your digestion seems to be getting worse.