25: Healing Your Gut with the 5R Program: A Functional Medicine Guide with Dr. Aaron & Becky Hartman

In this podcast episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Becky Hartman dive into the foundational principles of the 5R program—a transformative, step-by-step framework designed to repair and restore gut health. Drawing on functional medicine expertise, they walk through each of the five essential steps to support the digestive system and overall well-being.

Dr. Hartman breaks down the importance of removing common dietary irritants like gluten, dairy, and processed foods, while also highlighting the need to replace missing digestive components with enzymes and hydrochloric acid. Together, the Hartmans explore how to re-inoculate the gut with beneficial bacteria using probiotics, fermented foods, and strategic supplementation.

Becky Hartman, Chief Innovation Officer at Richmond Functional Medicine, engages the conversation with thoughtful questions, leading to deeper insights on prebiotics, postbiotics, and the lifestyle factors—such as stress and sleep—that can make or break your gut healing journey.

Show Highlights:

✅ What is the 5R Program, and how can it transform your gut health?

✅ Why removing common food irritants is a critical first step

✅ The power of digestive enzymes and stomach acid in restoring function

✅ Probiotics, fermented foods, and the science of re-inoculating the gut

✅ How prebiotics and postbiotics contribute to long-term gut balance

✅ The role of stress, sleep, and lifestyle in gut healing

✅ Clinical and personal insights on implementing the 5R framework

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ What does each step in the 5R program involve?

✅ How can you tell if food sensitivities are impacting your gut?

✅ What’s the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics?

✅ How do lifestyle changes accelerate gut repair?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ The five foundational steps of the 5R program: Remove, Replace, Re-inoculate, Repair, and Rebalance

✅ How to identify and eliminate gut-disrupting foods

✅ Natural ways to restore digestive function and microbial balance

✅ The importance of sleep, stress reduction, and mindful eating

✅ Actionable strategies to support gut healing at home

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 Becky Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/team

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD: Connect Here

📘 Learn More About the 5R Program: Richmond Functional Medicine - Gut Health