Functional Nutrition & Lab Testing: Stress, Burnout & Your Gut with Elizabeth McLaughlin, MS, RD

In this conversation, Kayla connects with one of her dearest colleagues and friends, Elizabeth McLaughlin, a registered dietitian and creator behind The High-Functioning Hot Mess.In this episode, you'll hear about:Why so many dietitians get into the field (spoiler: to manipulate their own bodies)Functional nutrition vs. conventional nutritionHair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)—what this test reveals and common trends seen in high-performing womenThe stress-mineral-depletion cycle and why supplements alone won't fix a (stress) bucket with a hole in itGI Map testing—what a stool test can uncover about gut bacteria, low stomach acid, motility, and more Practical tips to naturally support digestion and stomach acid production The role of nervous system regulation, hobbies, and faith in healing the whole personWhether you're brand new to functional nutrition or just starting to question why the conventional approach hasn't worked, you’ll get a real framework for understanding what your body might actually be asking for.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Origins02:48 Elizabeth's Journey to Dietetics06:47 Navigating Personal Challenges and Health Issues17:22 Unlearning Diet Culture18:42 The High-Functioning Hot Mess Concept20:15 Understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)23:50 Emotional Awareness and Processing27:47 Understanding Functional Nutrition31:19 Comparing HTMA and Blood Tests32:47 Identifying Patterns in High-Performing Women36:17 Interpreting HTMA Results42:05 Stress Less, Play More49:24 Exploring the GI Map Test53:12 Stimulating Digestion in a Low-Acid Environment58:30 Faith and Mental Health01:06:51 Upcoming Projects & Closing ThoughtsKeywords:functional nutrition, highly sensitive person, HSP, hair tissue mineral analysis, HTMA, GI map, stool test, gut health, nervous system regulation, mineral depletion, low stomach acid, stress and weight gain, burnout recovery, panic attacks, women's health🔗Links Mentioned In This EpisodeElizabeth’s websiteFollow Elizabeth on InstagramFollow Elizabeth on TikTokListen to the High Functioning Hot Mess podcastHow We Feel appAbiding Together podcastMore from Kayla:Apply to Work with KaylaFollow on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeKayla's WebsiteKayla’s 🏆Win The Week Newsletter