BEHIND THE FILTER PODCAST
- Johnette Cruz
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Unpacking the Ugly Truth Behind My Health
On the latest episode of Behind the Filter, I sat down with Ashley Regal, Co-owner of Total Body Wellness, to dive deep into my recent, complex lab results. The conversation detailed a health journey that many I feel will be able to relate to: feeling unwell despite traditional doctors finding "nothing wrong."
The extensive testing, including a GI Map stool DNA analysis, revealed a significant array of underlying issues that are now guiding a specialized healing protocol.
"It's very validating to get the right testing done... to then show, 'actually, you're not normal, and here are all the reasons why,'" said Ashley Regal, acknowledging the emotional relief that comes with finally identifying the root cause of symptoms.
I am being super vulnerable with everything that is wrong with my body, but I know many other women can benefit from ALL OF THIS.
The Lab Results: A Roadmap to Root Causes
The testing indicated multiple clinically significant imbalances, confirming that many of my symptoms were interconnected.
1. The Gut Crisis: Pathogens and Inflammation
The GI Map test revealed a dramatic imbalance in the microbiome, pointing to both pathogenic overgrowth and severe inflammation.
Elevated Pathogenic Bacteria: An overgrowth of "bad" bacteria was identified, which is responsible for bloating, maldigestion, and systemic issues like brain fog and fatigue often seen in autoimmune conditions.
Inflammation: Calprotectin (a marker for gut inflammation) was "off the chart," pointing toward inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) type inflammation. This, combined with elevated Eosinophils (which can signal food sensitivities), mandated aggressive treatment to calm the immune response.
2. Hormone Detoxification Failure
A critical finding was the elevation of Beta-Glucuronidase. This enzyme recycles old estrogen back into the body, worsening hormone-related symptoms like PMS and acne.
"You can’t out-hormone-replace a sluggish detox system," Ashley Regal stressed. "When gut detox pathways are clogged, adding hormones can actually make symptoms worse." This explained why prior Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) had stopped working for the patient.
3. Thyroid, Adrenals, and Metabolism
The results showed significant adrenal fatigue (with key adrenal hormones near zero) and subpar thyroid function.
Thyroid Connection: Ashley Regal noted that 20% of T4 to T3 thyroid conversion happens in the GI tract. "You can’t fix thyroid conversion without fixing the gut," she explained, highlighting the need to stabilize the gut first.
Vitamin D: Very low Vitamin D was identified, which fuels inflammation and hinders immune regulation—critical for gut healing and autoimmune modulation.
The Protocol: A Phased Approach to Healing
Ashley Regal emphasized that a successful recovery must happen in phases, starting with "removal" before "repair."
Phase 1: Removal and Antimicrobial Support
The initial treatment focuses on clearing pathogens and reducing chronic inflammation:
Targeted Support: Using gentle antimicrobial support like Pyloguard and MicroSpore to target specific invaders, including elevated H. Pylori (linked to ulcers and gastric cancers).
Anti-Inflammatory: The prescription of Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) to modulate the immune response and calm autoimmune activity related to the high Calprotectin markers.
Digestive Enzymes: Introduced 10-15 minutes prior to meals to halt the fermentation process that feeds bad bacteria and causes severe bloating.
Addressing Metabolism and Weight (GLP-1 Support)
In a progressive move, GLP-1 support (like Tirzepatide) is being layered in, not just for weight, but for its profound anti-inflammatory effects.
"This isn't just for diabetes doctors... we're seeing this used across the board in these subset of patients," Ashley Regal noted, adding that GLP-1s show data supporting the reduction of inflammatory markers associated with autoimmune disease.
A Long-Term View
Ashley Regal stressed that success requires patience and commitment, but the payoff is foundational health.
"We’re going to do this the right way... and we’re going to be able to build on it continuously instead of feeling like I get a bit better and then I slide back," she concluded, setting the stage for the next phase of healing: repair and rebuilding the gut lining.
For listeners interested in beginning their own investigative health journey, Ashley Regal and the Total Body Wellness team can be found at their practice HEREocial medi
Watch or listen to the full episode below!
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~J