Get Your Digestion Back on Track
Many of my clients come to see me regarding digestive symptoms. The most common symptoms clients complain of include bloating, abdominal pain or discomfort, constipation, flatulence, diarrhoea, nausea, heartburn and reflux. A number of my clients have been diagnosed with IBS but are unsure how to manage this condition.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders and is thought to affect up to 25% of the UK population. There are many contributory factors including:
Disruption of the gut microbiota in the large bowel, bacterial, yeast (candida) & parasitic infection
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Disturbances to the gut-brain signalling
Immune problems, over 70% of our immune system is located in our gut
Nervous tension and stress and imbalanced neurotransmitter signalling
Muscle spasms
Increased intestinal permeability (also known as ‘leaky gut’) and food sensitivities
Gastroenteritis, particularly of infectious origin
Optimising Digestive Health
If the digestive tract is not functioning optimally this can affect our absorption of nutrients as well as have wide reaching consequences for all body systems and our overall wellbeing. Optimising digestive health is a key place to start in any nutritional programme.
Looking into the Causes of Problems
Investigating and addressing possible contributory factors, supporting digestive function and choosing foods to help soothe, calm and repair the digestive tract are all important steps. Addressing emotions and the impact of stress may also be relevant.
In many instances diagnostic testing (for example comprehensive stool analysis) can provide key information regarding contributory factors. For more information on relevant diagnostic tests, such as Stool Analysis and SIBO Breath Testing, please do give me a call or drop me an email.
Top Tips on Improving Digestion:
Chew your food really thoroughly – this may sound obvious but many of us eat on the run and rush our meals. Chewing physically breaks down food and kicks off the digestive process
Relax – stress and worry can have a negative effect on digestion. Our gut function can influence our brain and mood and vice versa. We make most of the feel good hormone serotonin in our gut, which is why digestive problems are often worse when we are stressed.
Have regular meal times, with around 4 hours between each meal and a minimum 12 hour overnight fast, to allow the digestive tract to clear and regenerate
Keep hydrated - around 8 glasses of water or cups of herbal teas per day
Limit caffeinated drinks to 3 cups per day
Reduce intake of alcohol and fizzy drinks
Keep your gut flora happy! The friendly bacteria that live in our gut like a diet rich in a wide-range of vegetables and wholefoods. Including fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha is beneficial for most people.
What Eat4Wellbeing Clients Say ….
“I booked a three consultation package with Joanna, to help deal with a candida infection and some other health issues. Altering ones diet and eating habits is really difficult but Joanna’s approach of treating me as an equal made me determined to succeed. It is now three months since our final session and through adhearing strictly to the diet plan and supplements she advised, I have witnessed great improvement in all my symptoms. Thanks for everything Joanna.”
“I went to see Jo after a friend recommended her because I had a series of fairly non specific issues including bloating, headaches and hormonal problems. Jo’s approach was to ask me lots and lots of questions before suggesting some immediate tweaks whilst awaiting for some test results. Jo was very holistic and extremely knowledgeable so was able to help with the digestive issues as well as recommending ways to relax and advising how nutrition can impact hormones. Upon receipt of the results Jo gave me a structured eating plan along with some supplements and within just a few weeks I felt fantastic – the bloating gone and menstrual cycle regulated.
I now have a plan to take me forward into the future as well as a new approach to diet and more understanding of the impact it has on all sorts of things. This is all down to Jo who has been fantastic. She’s really easy to talk to and clearly knows her stuff. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to others – in fact she attended my company’s well-being day and carried out a series of mini consultations for employees which was very positively received!”
“I have suffered with bloating and constipation for many years and had tried various diets without success. Jo was recommended to me and she arranged some tests for me to find out what was wrong. I followed a diet and supplement plan and started to feel better within a few weeks. I can now wear jeans and tight trousers without looking 6 months pregnant! I feel so much better.
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“I contacted Jo last year on account of Candida and digestive problems. In my first consultation, the advice she gave me as well as suggestions for supplements helped to solve the problem in two months. My follow-up consulations with Jo kept me on the right track.”
