26 Oct Bali Broke My Gut (and what I learned) with the Gut Genie Laura Frontiero
Have you ever planned a trip for years, only to have it completely backfire? That was my Bali experience. And while I’m not here to ruin anyone’s travel dreams, I am here to share what happened to my body—because understanding this could save you months or even years of health problems.
I’ve always been someone who prioritizes health. I understand midlife challenges intimately, and I work hard to optimize my body as I age. So when I planned my bucket-list trip to Bali, I thought I was prepared. I packed digestive enzymes, probiotics, and committed to being careful about food and water. I had this handled, right?
Wrong.
What I didn’t account for were the environmental factors, the skin exposure to contaminated water, and just how underdeveloped the infrastructure really is in many parts of Bali. Within days, I was dealing with severe Bali Belly—and weeks later, I’m still recovering.
That’s why I brought back functional medicine practitioner Laura Frontiero (who my community lovingly calls “The Gut Genie”) to break down what actually happened to my body, why some travelers get sick while others don’t, and most importantly, what we can all do to protect ourselves when exploring the world.
The Rice Paddy Moment That Changed Everything
Let me set the scene: I’m in a beautiful rice paddy with my friend Anna Cabeca. She’s encouraging me to walk through the water with her, saying “Come on in, it’s good for our gut biome!”
My gut instinct (literally) told me this was a bad idea. But I went anyway.
When I shared this moment on social media, so many of you immediately tagged Laura asking, “What would the gut genie say about that?” You all knew. And you were right to question it.
Here’s what Laura explained: Rice paddies are well-documented breeding grounds for parasites, particularly strongyloides. This isn’t fringe information—it’s recognized by the World Health Organization. People who work in rice paddies routinely struggle with parasitic infections because these organisms live in the water and can penetrate your skin directly.
But it wasn’t just the rice paddy. Throughout my trip, I entered multiple bodies of water—streams in the rainforest, various pools and water features. Each one was a potential exposure point I didn’t fully consider.
Why Some People Get Sick and Others Don’t
This is the question everyone asks: “Why did you get sick when your friend didn’t?”
Laura broke down several factors that determine your vulnerability:
Your detoxification pathways: We all have different genetic capabilities for clearing toxins and pathogens. Some people naturally have more robust systems.
Baseline inflammation: If your body is already dealing with inflammation, you’re more susceptible to new infections.
Pre-existing conditions: I have celiac disease—an autoimmune condition that affects my gut. My gut genetics aren’t optimal to begin with.
Recent medical events: I’d recently had surgery, so my immune system was still recovering.
Toxic load: The accumulated environmental toxins you’re already carrying affects how well you can handle new exposures.
My husband Brooks? He has what Laura calls an “iron gut.” His genetics give him strong detox pathways and resilient gut bacteria. He can eat anything anywhere.
The takeaway? This isn’t about weakness or failure. It’s about understanding your unique biology and preparing accordingly.
The Symptoms: What Bali Belly Actually Feels Like
Let me be transparent about what happened because these symptoms might help you identify an issue early if you travel:
- Severe, unrelenting diarrhea for over a week
- Complete physical exhaustion
- Brain fog making simple decisions difficult
- Body aches and joint pain
- Sleep disruption despite being exhausted
- Breaking out in hives (which I hadn’t experienced since my twenties)
- Throat tightness from an allergic reaction
What many don’t realize is that symptoms can appear weeks or even months after exposure. Laura told me she regularly hears from people who say, “I traveled to X country, came back, and never felt quite right again.” This happens so frequently it’s a recognizable pattern in functional medicine.
The Antibiotic Controversy: When I Had to Stop Mid-Treatment
When you present with severe diarrhea in Bali, healthcare providers know exactly what’s happening—it’s extremely common. They’ll tell you that you likely have Giardia, Salmonella, H. pylori, E. coli, or another pathogen. The standard treatment is Flagyl (metronidazole).
My doctor prescribed it. I took two doses. Then I had a massive allergic reaction.
My entire body broke out in hives. I couldn’t stop itching. My throat started feeling like it was closing—signs of potential anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
I stopped immediately.
When I shared this on social media, messages poured in: “You should NEVER stop an antibiotic mid-course!”
But Laura was clear: An allergic reaction is absolutely a reason to stop. Continuing could have caused me to stop breathing. This outdated belief that you must always complete antibiotics doesn’t account for dangerous adverse reactions.
So Are Antibiotics Bad?
Laura’s answer surprised some people: No, antibiotics aren’t inherently bad. They’ve saved countless lives and extended human lifespan significantly.
When antibiotics are appropriate:
- Pathogenic bacteria that shouldn’t be in your body (Salmonella, certain E. coli strains, Giardia)
- Acute infections causing severe symptoms
- When natural antimicrobials aren’t strong enough
When they’re inappropriately used:
- Viral infections (colds, flu)
- Minor issues that could resolve naturally
- Without proper testing
The real issue is overuse, not the antibiotics themselves. And if you do take them, you must support your gut immediately—not years later when chronic symptoms appear.
The Travel Toolkit I Wish I’d Packed
Based on my experience and Laura’s expertise, here’s what you should bring for international travel to underdeveloped areas:
The Non-Negotiables:
- Multiple types of binders – To clear environmental toxins and microbial die-off products
- Antimicrobial herbs – Mimosa pudica, oil of oregano, berberine
- Saccharomyces boulardii – A beneficial yeast that helps with traveler’s diarrhea and won’t be killed by antibiotics
- High-quality probiotics – To support your gut barrier throughout travel
- Digestive enzymes – To help break down unfamiliar foods
- Immune support – Medicinal mushrooms and antioxidant blends
- Clean electrolytes – For hydration without artificial ingredients
- Imodium – For emergencies only, not regular use
Advanced Traveler Tools:
- Portable ozone machine – Laura travels with one to purify hotel rooms and airplane surfaces
- Ivermectin – If you can get a prescription, it’s useful for parasitic exposure
- Quercetin – Natural antihistamine for allergic reactions
I had enzymes, probiotics, and binders—but I was missing the antimicrobial herbs and several other key pieces that could have helped immediately.
The Parasite Reality Check
Let’s address a massive misconception: “Parasites aren’t real unless you go to underdeveloped countries.”
Both parts of that statement are false.
We ALL have parasites. Every human being. We also all have bacteria and fungi living inside us. This is normal.
The question isn’t whether you have them—it’s whether they’re in balance or overgrown.
In an ideal world with low toxin exposure, good nutrition, and minimal stress, parasites can actually serve a purpose as “toxin sponges.” Your immune system manages them appropriately.
But we don’t live in that ideal world. Modern life creates the perfect environment for parasitic overgrowth:
- Overwhelming toxic exposure (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, plastics)
- Chronic stress suppressing immunity
- Ultra-processed foods
- Antibiotic overuse disrupting protective bacteria
When parasites overgrow, they steal nutrients, deplete energy, disrupt sleep, create brain fog, cause joint pain, and compromise your immune system.
In many countries, parasitic infections are openly acknowledged and routinely treated. In Bali, it’s expected. In Africa, people take ivermectin weekly as prevention. Yet in Western medicine—particularly in the United States—there’s massive resistance to acknowledging this reality.
Laura is baffled by this. In her two decades in Western medicine, parasite education was virtually non-existent. Yet parasites don’t respect borders.
My Recovery Protocol: What I’m Doing Now
Here’s exactly what I’m implementing based on Laura’s guidance:
Immediate Phase (Weeks 1-2):
- Ivermectin to address parasitic infection
- Multiple binders throughout the day
- Saccharomyces boulardii for gut support
- Antimicrobial herbs (CellCore Para 1)
- Digestive enzymes with meals
- Constant electrolyte hydration
Testing Phase (Weeks 3-6):
- Comprehensive gut test (not the basic stool test standard doctors order)
- Protocol adjustment based on results
- Continued detox support
Rebuilding Phase (Months 2-6):
- High-dose probiotics with multiple strains
- Prebiotic fiber to feed beneficial bacteria
- Gut-healing nutrients (L-glutamine, collagen, zinc)
- Liver support for enhanced detoxification
- Follow-up testing to confirm recovery
Laura expects we’ll be working on this for months, possibly a year. That’s normal for this type of exposure.
The Bigger Picture: Why Gut Health Affects Everything
If you’re wondering why we’re spending so much time on gut health, here’s why it matters:
The gut-immune connection: 80-90% of your immune system originates in your gut. When your gut is compromised, your entire immune function suffers.
The gut-brain connection: Your gut produces 90% of your body’s serotonin. When disrupted, mood disorders, anxiety, brain fog, and cognitive decline can follow.
The gut-hormone connection: Your gut bacteria help metabolize and regulate hormones. Disruption can affect estrogen, thyroid, cortisol, and insulin.
The gut-skin connection: Acne, eczema, rashes, and premature aging often originate in the gut.
This is why fixing your gut often improves seemingly unrelated health issues.
The Ivermectin Discussion: Facts Over Politics
When I shared that I’d taken ivermectin, some people were shocked. Let’s separate politics from science.
Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug used safely worldwide for decades. According to Laura, it’s one of the safest drugs in existence with virtually zero side effects. It costs pennies to produce and is given routinely in many countries as prevention.
In other countries—particularly Africa and parts of Asia—people take ivermectin weekly as standard practice. This isn’t controversial outside the United States.
When I took it after returning home, I had an immediate Herxheimer reaction (die-off symptoms)—evidence that it was killing something in my body. I’d taken ivermectin before without any response, so this reaction confirmed I’d contracted something significant.
What Standard Medical Testing Misses
Here’s something critical: If you go to your regular doctor suspecting parasites, they’ll likely order a basic stool test checking for about five common parasites.
What standard tests miss:
- Opportunistic bacteria overgrowth
- Beneficial bacteria deficiency
- Most parasitic infections
- Fungal overgrowth
- Inflammatory markers
- Digestive function
- Immune function in the gut
What comprehensive functional tests reveal:
- Complete microbiome analysis
- Pathogenic bacteria presence
- Extensive parasite screening
- Inflammation and immune markers
- Enzyme function
- Gut barrier integrity
Laura sent me a comprehensive gut test the moment I got home (she literally gifted me a “poop test” and was genuinely excited about it). This will show exactly what I’m dealing with so we can target treatment precisely.
Should You Still Travel to Bali?!
I’m not here to create fear or tell you to avoid international travel. But I am here to help you make informed decisions.
My personal stance: I won’t be returning to Bali. The infrastructure challenges were more severe than I expected, and the health consequences weren’t worth it for me.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Consider:
- Your current health status and immune function
- Whether you have autoimmune conditions
- Your access to functional medicine support
- Your risk tolerance
- How you prepare
If you do travel to underdeveloped areas:
- Pack the comprehensive supplement toolkit
- Avoid bodies of water that aren’t clearly treated
- Be cautious about food sources
- Get a gut test when you return, even if you feel fine
- Work with a functional practitioner if symptoms appear
Knowledge empowers. Preparation protects. And early intervention prevents chronic issues.
The Lesson I’m Taking Forward
As miserable as this experience has been, I’ve gained valuable lessons:
Trust your gut instincts—literally. When something feels wrong, honor that.
No amount of preparation guarantees safety, but it significantly improves your odds.
Expert guidance is invaluable when navigating health crises.
Recovery takes time. Our quick-fix culture wants immediate solutions, but real healing is a process.
Community matters. Your messages, shared experiences, and support helped me feel less alone.
When to Seek Help
Seek immediate medical care for:
- Severe dehydration
- High fever with chills
- Blood in stool
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of anaphylaxis (throat swelling, difficulty breathing)
Schedule a functional medicine appointment for:
- Digestive issues lasting more than a few weeks after travel
- Unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or sleep issues
- New food sensitivities
- Skin problems that appeared post-travel
- Any persistent symptoms that don’t make sense
Don’t wait months or years hoping symptoms resolve. Early intervention prevents the chronic issues Laura sees all too often.
I’m sharing this experience not to discourage you from traveling, but to equip you with information that could save you significant suffering. International travel enriches our lives, expands our perspectives, and creates memories we treasure. But it also exposes us to pathogens, toxins, and challenges our bodies weren’t designed to handle. Understanding this reality—and preparing accordingly—allows you to explore the world while protecting your health.
The gut test Laura sent me will reveal exactly what I’m dealing with, and we’ll be back to share those results and the targeted protocol we develop. This conversation is far from over. In the meantime, if you’re planning international travel, take this seriously. Pack the supplements. Be mindful of exposures. And if you do get sick, address it immediately rather than letting it simmer into a chronic condition.
