Bloating · Reflux · Regularity · Food reactions

Gut Health Coaching in Greenville, SC

By Maria Merlo, AFMC-certified Functional Medicine Health Coach · Updated November 2026

Bloated by the afternoon, running to the bathroom or not going for days, reacting to foods you used to eat without a thought? You've been told it's "just IBS" or "just stress," and you're tired of planning your life around your stomach. I help you find what's driving your symptoms and rebuild your gut step by step, alongside your doctor's care.

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30 minutes · In person in Greenville or virtual · Se habla español

Maria Merlo, gut health coach in Greenville SC

Does this sound familiar?

Bloating that gets worse as the day goes on
Constipation, loose stools, or switching between the two
Heartburn or reflux, or relying on antacids
Gas, cramping or feeling uncomfortably full after small meals
New reactions to foods like dairy, gluten or beans
Low mood, brain fog, skin flare-ups or frequent colds alongside your gut symptoms

Why your gut affects so much more than digestion

Your gut does more than digest food. Its lining is a barrier that decides what gets absorbed and what stays out. It is home to trillions of microbes, it is a major hub for your immune system, and it talks constantly with your brain through what researchers call the gut–brain axis.

When that system is out of balance, symptoms rarely stay in your stomach. Research on gut barrier function and the microbiome is still growing, so I don't promise quick fixes. But looking at your gut alongside your mood, immune health, hormones and thyroid often explains symptoms that seemed unrelated.

IBS-type symptoms are common: about 12% of people in the US have IBS, and women are up to twice as likely as men to develop it.

My approach: the 5R framework

We work through five steps, adjusted to you and your history:

Remove

Identify and reduce what irritates your gut: trigger foods, alcohol, ultra-processed foods and other stressors you can change.

Replace

Support digestion itself: how you eat, chewing and meal timing, and digestive support when it fits your situation.

Reinoculate

Feed a healthier microbiome with fiber, a wider variety of plants and fermented foods, and probiotics when they make sense.

Repair

Support your gut lining with nutrient-dense foods and the nutrients it relies on.

Rebalance

Sleep, stress, movement and eating rhythms, because your nervous system and your gut work as a team.

This runs inside my 90-Day Whole Systems Optimization Plan, so your gut plan fits with your hormones, thyroid, blood sugar and energy rather than being treated on its own.

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Gut testing, when it adds something

Every program includes the Splendhealth Complete Panel, a blood panel with a full thyroid panel. Beyond that, many clients don't need gut testing to start feeling better. When it would change the plan, two optional tests are available for an additional fee, at direct lab cost with no markup:

GI-MAP stool test. Looks at gut bacteria, yeast and parasites, and markers related to digestion, inflammation and gut immune function.
Vibrant Wellness food sensitivity testing. Looks at your immune reactions to many foods, including wheat and gluten, dairy and others. Some panels include antibody markers associated with celiac disease.

I use results for education and planning, not diagnosis. Food sensitivity results are one piece of the picture, not a list of foods to cut forever: we confirm them by how you feel when you remove and reintroduce foods. Anything suggesting celiac disease or another medical condition goes to your doctor for proper testing.

When to see your doctor first

Some symptoms need a medical evaluation before coaching. Please see your doctor if you have:

Blood in your stool, or black, tarry stools
Weight loss you can't explain
Anemia
A family history of colon cancer, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
Severe or worsening pain, trouble swallowing or ongoing vomiting

I don't diagnose IBS, SIBO, celiac disease or any other condition. If something in your history needs medical attention, I'll tell you and encourage you to see your provider first.

What clients say

"I was able to… get rid of constipation and sleep better. Now I can play with my grandkids…"Martha C., Housewife, Mother & Grandmother

Individual results vary. Testimonials reflect each client's personal experience and are not a promise of results. Client names have been changed to protect privacy.

Maria Merlo is an AFMC-certified Functional Medicine Health Coach (School of Applied Functional Medicine) and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (IIN), coaching women in English and Spanish since 2014. She is not a physician and does not diagnose or treat disease. Read Maria's story →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a diagnosis to work with you?

No. Many women come with symptoms and normal test results. If anything suggests you need a medical evaluation, I'll tell you.

Do I have to give up gluten and dairy?

Not automatically. If we remove foods, it's for a set time, and we bring them back one at a time to see how you respond.

What is "leaky gut"?

It's a popular name for increased intestinal permeability, meaning the gut lining lets through more than it should. It has been measured in some digestive and autoimmune conditions, but it isn't a diagnosis on its own and there's no single reliable test for it. We focus on the habits and nutrients that support a healthy gut lining.

Are the GI-MAP and food sensitivity tests included in the program?

No. They're optional and available for an additional fee, at direct lab cost with no markup. We decide together if they would actually change your plan. Every program does include the Splendhealth Complete Panel blood work.

How do food sensitivity tests compare with allergy tests?

They're different. Allergy testing and diagnosis belong with an allergist. Food sensitivity panels haven't been validated to diagnose food allergies or intolerances, so I use them as a starting point and confirm with how you feel when you remove and reintroduce foods.

¿Trabajas en español?

Sí, todo el programa está disponible en español. Agenda tu llamada →