Gut Health Explained: Insights from Dr. Scott Smith on The Pursuit Podcast

On this episode of the Pursuit Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Scott Smith, DMS, PA of Central Florida Functional Medicine, to dive deep into one of the hottest topics in healthcare today—gut health and the gut microbiome. If you’ve ever wondered how your digestion, immune system, mental health, and even your long-term risk of chronic disease are tied to the health of your gut, this episode is packed with answers.

What Is Gut Health and the Gut Microbiome?

Gut health goes beyond digestion—it’s about the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms living in your digestive tract, known as the gut microbiome. These microbes influence everything from your immune response to mood regulation. When the microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to conditions such as leaky gut, gut dysbiosis, and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

How Do You Measure Gut Health?

Dr. Smith explains that gut health can be measured through specialized testing that looks at microbiome diversity, digestion efficiency, inflammation markers, and more. These insights help providers create a personalized roadmap for healing.

What Causes Poor Gut Health?

Several factors can damage the gut:

• Diets high in processed foods and sugar

• Overuse of antibiotics

• Chronic stress

• Poor sleep and sedentary lifestyles

All of these can weaken the intestinal barrier, reduce microbial diversity, and set the stage for disease.

Gut Health and Its Connection to Disease

One of the most fascinating parts of this discussion is how poor gut health doesn’t just cause bloating or indigestion—it can play a role in:

• Autoimmune conditions

• Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression

• Behavioral changes

• Inflammatory diseases

The “gut-brain axis” shows us just how connected our digestion is to the rest of the body.

How to Improve Gut Health

Dr. Smith outlines evidence-based strategies to restore gut health, including:

• Eating a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet

• Managing stress effectively

• Prioritizing quality sleep

• Using targeted supplements or probiotics when necessary

Healing the gut isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about creating long-term changes in lifestyle.

Rapid Fire Gut Health Questions Answered

During the episode, Dr. Smith tackled some of the most common patient questions, including:

• Can you get rid of SIBO? Yes, though it requires careful treatment and prevention strategies since recurrence rates are high.

• Can you heal leaky gut? With the right diet and lifestyle changes, the gut lining can repair itself.

• Can you actually change your microbiome? Absolutely—your gut bacteria are dynamic and respond to lifestyle, diet, and environment.

• Does gut health play a role in autoimmune conditions, Epstein-Barr virus, or chronic mono? Yes, ongoing research shows strong links between gut health and immune function.

Dr. Smith also discussed important topics like whether C-section births impact a child’s microbiome, the role of methylation in gut function, and the genetic link between HLA-B27 and conditions like diverticulitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis.

Takeaways

The gut is truly the foundation of health. By protecting and restoring gut health, you can positively impact your digestion, immune system, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

👉 To learn more about Dr. Scott Smith and his work at Central Florida Functional Medicine, visit centralfloridafunctionalmedicine.com.

📋 You can also grab his FREE Gut Health Checklist here: fxhealthacademy.com/checklist.