You don't need a $500 stool test to know something's off in your gut. Your symptoms have been telling you for years.
In this episode, Katie and Cris break down the patterns they've seen over and over across hundreds of stool tests run on acne clients. They walk through the three umbrellas everything falls under: gut infections and overgrowths, broken-down digestion, and a leaky gut lining. From H. pylori and candida to low stomach acid and sluggish bile flow, they name the exact mechanisms connecting your gut to your skin, plus the everyday symptoms that point at an overgrowth long before a lab ever confirms it. They also get honest about why running a DUTCH before you've worked on your gut is usually wasted money. If you've been told your acne is "just hormonal," this one's going to reframe things.
In This Episode We Cover
- Why H. pylori, candida, staph, and strep are the overgrowths showing up most often in acne clients.
- How low stomach acid opens the door for bacterial overgrowth and blocks the protein your skin needs to repair.
- What toenail fungus, a white tongue, and repeat yeast infections can tell you about what's living in your gut.
- Why your estrobolome decides how well you clear estrogen, and what that means for jawline breakouts.
- How sluggish bile flow starves your hormones of the fats they're built from.
- Why an HTMA is a smarter first test than a GI Map or a DUTCH when money is tight.
Resources & Links Mentioned
Work With Us + Connect
- Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step.
- Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey.
- Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness
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What is Keep It Clear?
Struggling with acne, hormones, or gut issues that no one seems to explain in plain English? Keep It Clear is the podcast that cuts through the noise. ✨
Hosted by Registered Holistic Nutritionists and acne experts Katie Stewart and Cris Brown, who've helped 3,000+ clients across 15+ countries clear their skin from the inside out.
Every episode breaks down what your skin and body actually need, across the 5 things that drive breakouts: gut health, detoxification, hormonal balance, nervous system regulation, and nourishing skincare. You'll get practical tips, real client stories, and clinical answers to the questions you've been Googling at 1am. 💜
Because clear isn't just about your skin. It's about feeling confident, balanced, and aligned in every part of your health.
In a world that makes women's health way too complicated, this show keeps it simple: clear skin, clear body, clear mind, clear life. Tune in and let's Keep It Clear.
(Formerly The Clear Skin Chronicles.)
💻 Website: katiestewartwellness.com
📱 Instagram: @katiestewartwellness