Rewriting Gut Health: From Constipation to Calm with Roslyn Kent "The Poop Nutritionist"
In Episode 22, we dove deep into gut health with Roslyn Kent, RHN—a woman whose journey from stress and IBS to balanced gut health has inspired thousands. Her personal experience as "The Poop Nutritionist" is filled with lessons on healing the gut holistically—no pharmaceuticals required.
If you’re new to gut health or want to refine your wellness practice, this episode and blog post are for you. Let’s break down the key insights, practical steps, and the vital role that mushrooms play in restoring your gut and nervous system health.
Roslyn’s Journey from IBS to Holistic Nutrition
Roslyn Kent’s story begins like so many of ours: stress and digestive struggles. As a child, Roslyn constantly worried, had stomach pains, and was on antibiotics frequently for ear infections—a combination that wrecked her gut microbiome.
In high school and university, her perfectionist tendencies only made things worse. She pushed herself hard to maintain a full-ride scholarship, lived on a standard diet (lots of dairy and processed foods), and ignored her body’s warning signs. Despite endless GI appointments and restrictive low-FODMAP diets, relief never came.
💡 Key Resource: If you haven’t yet listened to our gut health primer in Episode 7, click here to catch up on the foundations of mushrooms and gut health!
A New Direction—Plants First and Nervous System Healing
A turning point for Roslyn came in her fourth year of university when she experimented with a plant-based diet. Though it began for environmental reasons, she quickly noticed an improvement in her bloating and energy. Transitioning away from high-fat dairy products and embracing more plant diversity gave her gut a chance to heal.
But the real game-changer? Realizing that stress was at the root of it all.
“I was doing five to six HIIT workouts a week, up at 5 a.m., commuting hours a day, and my body was in a constant fight-or-flight state,” Roslyn shared.
Roslyn’s story is a powerful reminder that gut health isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about the rhythm of your life.
The Nervous System and the Gut—Why Stress Matters
Roslyn describes the gut as our "second brain," home to the enteric nervous system. When we’re stressed, that system shuts down—slowing motility, altering gut bacteria, and making healthy digestion nearly impossible.
For women, this is especially important. We’re biologically wired to respond differently to stress, and juggling family, work, and social expectations can be a huge load.
🌿 Pro tip from the podcast: Swap a 5 a.m. HIIT workout for a daily walk in nature. Movement in harmony with nature calms the nervous system and supports healthy digestion—without the cortisol spike.
The Hidden Signs of Constipation—Are You Actually Constipated?
One of Roslyn’s biggest revelations? Many women don’t even know they’re constipated.
You can have daily bowel movements and still be backed up—the volume and quality of elimination matter. Symptoms of a sluggish gut can include:
✅ Feeling bloated and "pregnant" after meals
✅ Gas that won’t pass
✅ Brain fog and fatigue
✅ Skin issues and even autoimmune flares
Roslyn’s favorite test for this? The Corn Test.
The Corn Test: A Simple Gut Transit Time Check
Here’s how it works:
- Eat a ½ cup of corn (organic or frozen, but not on the cob).
- Measure from dinnertime to when you see the first corn kernels in the toilet.
- Ideal transit time? 12-18 hours.
- More than 36 hours? You’re likely constipated.
If you’re not seeing corn at all, try white sesame seeds for an easier pass-through marker.
Clearing the Path—Motility Agents & Laxatives
If constipation is the problem, dietary changes won’t stick until your bowels are cleared out.
Roslyn’s three-step approach:
- Transit test: Know how backed up you are.
- Clear out: Use a one-time dose of a safe laxative (like magnesium citrate) to empty the bowels completely.
- Daily motility agents: Support consistent bowel movements with a gentle daily dose of magnesium or herbal motility agents.
🌟 Note: Always consult a healthcare professional before trying new supplements, especially if you’re on medication or have chronic conditions.
Building a Gut-Friendly Diet—Fiber and Diversity
Once you’re eliminating properly, it’s time to add rather than subtract. Roslyn recommends starting with:
🥣 A fiber-rich breakfast, like a chia-seed smoothie or overnight oats.
🥦 Gradually adding more plant diversity—aim for 30 different plants (including mushrooms!) each week.
🥬 Slowly reintroducing beans, legumes, and whole grains.
Roslyn emphasizes the quality of fiber—fermentable fibers like inulin, beta-glucans, and resistant starches feed beneficial gut microbes. But if you’re constipated, don’t load up on fiber immediately—it can trap gas and worsen the problem.
The Power of Mushrooms—Nature’s Gut-Healing Allies
At Eversio Wellness, we’re big believers in the power of functional mushrooms. So is Roslyn!
Her top three mushrooms for gut and nervous system health:
🍄 Reishi: Supports the parasympathetic nervous system—think relaxation, calm, and better sleep.
🍄 Chaga: Packed with polyphenols that strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
🍄 Turkey Tail: Rich in prebiotics that feed beneficial gut microbes, helping to heal and rebalance the microbiome.
🌿 Link: Shop our Eversio Wellness mushrooms to add these powerful allies to your daily routine!
Gut Health and Autoimmunity—Why It Matters
As Brandi shared, autoimmune issues are deeply intertwined with gut health. Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, is a major driver of autoimmune conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and arthritis.
Mushrooms, fiber, and a plant-forward diet help heal the gut lining by boosting short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. These SCFAs (like butyrate) are anti-inflammatory powerhouses that nourish the cells of your colon.
Sleep—The Underrated Key to Digestion
Sleep isn’t just for beauty rest—it’s when your gut does some of its best work.
🛌 Here’s why sleep matters for gut health:
- Stool formation happens overnight.
- Cortisol, your stress hormone, follows a circadian rhythm. Chronic sleep debt = chronic gut stress.
- Your gastrocolic reflex (the urge to go) is strongest in the morning—perfect for that “before work” bowel movement!
Roslyn’s advice? Aim for 8 hours of quality sleep—not just time in bed, but deep, restorative rest.
The Role of Movement—Walking as Medicine
Movement is essential for gut motility—but not all exercise is created equal. Roslyn recommends:
Daily walks in nature—forest bathing style!
Incorporating strength training mindfully, but not at the expense of your gut.
Playful movement like biking, hiking, or dancing.
For Roslyn, walking is her secret weapon—a gentle, rhythm-based movement that aligns perfectly with the body’s natural rhythms.
Debunking Sugar and Protein Myths
We couldn’t end this conversation without touching on the big nutrition buzzwords:
🍭 Sugar:
- Moderation matters, but joy is essential.
- Small amounts of sugar are okay—just don’t make them the backbone of your diet.
🥩 Protein:
- Most people overestimate their needs.
- Fiber is more important for gut health than protein.
- Prioritize plant-based proteins to reduce gut inflammation and support microbial diversity.
Practical Takeaways for Your Gut Health Journey
🎯 Start with testing: Do the corn test and see where you’re at.
🌿 Clear out the backlog: Use a safe, guided approach to reset.
🍄 Incorporate mushrooms daily—Reishi for relaxation, Turkey Tail for microbial diversity, and Chaga for immune support.
🛌 Prioritize sleep: In bed by 10–11 p.m., up by 6–7 a.m. for optimal gut motility.
🚶♀️ Find movement that brings you joy—don’t add stress with overly intense workouts.
🥦 Focus on plant diversity—aim for 30 different plants and fungi each week.
Working with Roslyn Kent and Next Steps
Ready to take the next step in your gut healing journey? Roslyn Kent offers:
✨ A small group program for in-depth gut health support
✨ Free resources and workshops on her website
✨ Daily gut health tips on Instagram and TikTok: @plantsfirstnutrition
As always, we encourage you to work with a practitioner who understands the connection between the gut and the nervous system—like Roslyn does.
Closing Thoughts—Why Gut Health Is Foundational
Healing your gut is not just about better digestion—it’s about feeling more at home in your body. When your gut is working well, everything else in your health improves: skin, mood, energy, focus, and even your relationship to food and movement.
Roslyn’s journey shows us that healing is possible—and it starts with small, daily choices that honor your rhythms, your needs, and your joy.
Resources and Links:
- 🌟 Episode 7: Mushrooms and Gut Health
- 🌟 Shop Eversio Wellness Mushrooms
- 🌟 Roslyn Kent’s Website
- 🌟 Take our Mushroom Wellness QUIZ to find your mushroom match
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