A College Athlete's Journey to Better Gut Health With Gabrielle

For many collegiate athletes, maintaining peak performance is about more than training hard; it’s about keeping the body in balance, too. Take the case of a 19-year-old track runner who came to Dallas Functional Nutritionist Gabrielle Grandell for help. She had been struggling with gut health, experiencing painful symptoms like chronic constipation, bloating, and even the loss of her menstrual cycle. The young woman also had eczema that led to her being put on medications and biologic medications.

Her intense training and diet choices were taking a toll on her gut, creating a domino effect on her overall health. Gabrielle’s approach addressed not just the physical but also the emotional side of gut health, which can be a complex process for any young athlete.

Overtraining’s Impact on Gut Health

This young athlete’s symptoms started to snowball when she began overexerting herself. “Too much of anything can sometimes be bad,” explains Gabrielle. The athlete wasn’t absorbing nutrients properly, which meant her muscles weren’t healing and her gut health was deteriorating.

Overexercise and stress can lead to nutrient leaching from the body, leaving little for repair and growth. Consequently, the athlete faced gastrointestinal issues that escalated to uncomfortable bloating and even the loss of her period—both warning signs of a female body in distress.

Addressing the Root Causes

Gabrielle’s approach to gut health includes personalized testing for food sensitivities and allergies and comprehensive gut testing to uncover underlying issues. In this case, testing revealed that the athlete was allergic to wheat and sensitive to other gluten grains, which she had been consuming in high amounts to fuel her training.

“Little did she know, she was just trying to get her carb intake up by eating pasta and bread,” Gabrielle explains. Cutting out gluten not only reduced her bloating but also helped in restoring her gut health.

When the athlete was diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), she took a round of antibiotics under her gastroenterologist’s supervision. While this reduced her symptoms, Gabrielle continues to focus on building the gut’s good bacteria.

Alongside her nutritional adjustments, the young woman incorporated a blend of deep breathing exercises, journaling, and mindfulness practices to help calm her nervous system. Stress affects everything you’re going through, which is why Gabrielle emphasizes the importance of balancing physical and emotional wellness.

Small Wins, Big Changes

Since starting this journey, the athlete has already experienced significant improvements. Her period returned, signaling a positive shift in her hormonal balance, and she’s been able to maintain regular bowel movements without relying on laxatives. The young woman’s body is finally getting the nutrients it needs.