A healthy gut and good digestive function sits at the heart of our bodies overall health, yet many struggle with symptoms that can make us feel below par and find themselves governed by digestive complaints which drag us down and take our energy and vitality. Have you ever gone to the doctor in search of answers only to be being given a 'irritable bowel syndrome' diagnosis?

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When our gut health is compromised we increase our risk of pathogenic infections from bad microbes (e coli, klebsiella, clostridium difficile), parasites or fungal overgrowth. Our stomach acid is our first line of defense against these critters and can be impacted by stress, our enzymatic health, medications, nutrient deficiencies and the presence of bugs like H pylori which keeps the stomach more alkaline to survive the acidic environment. Even reductions in good bacteria like bifidobacterium sp. and lactobacillus and increases in good gram negative bacteria (bacteriodes, clostridia), can result in loss of intestinal permeability and release of an inflammatory molecule, which has a detrimental effect on our pro-inflammatory immune response, liver response and immune reactivity.

 

Problems and imbalances in the gastrointestinal system can manifest elsewhere and can even lay the foundation for poor hormone clearance, mood issues, cardiovascular issues, compromised immune regulation and compromised liver response. Keeping our microbiome flourishing and consuming foods which encourage the growth of beneficial bacterial strains like lactobacillus and bifidobacterium sp. and microbial diversity has far reaching effects for our health as a whole and directly supports our health in a number of ways. 

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The energy our body uses to build and repair proteins, hormones, cells, tissue, bones, hair and skin all come from what we pop into our mouths and food provides the building blocks for hundreds of critical processes and enzymes around the body. We are literally what we eat or better what we absorb.

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Signs and symptoms can manifest as:

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• Abdominal bloating

• Acid reflux or duodenal reflux

• GERD or heartburn

• Excessive burping or flatulence

• Burning and inflammation (gastritis)

• Abdominal pains or spasms

• Gallbladder pain

• Constipation or diarrhea or alternating between both

• Fatigue

• Pale floaty stools

• Headaches or nausea

• Anxiety and low mood

• Food sensitivities

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Underlying causes and conditions

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• Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO)

• Biliary insufficiency (sluggish bile production)

• Pancreatic insufficiency (lack of digestive enzymes)

• Lack of fibre and processed food intake

• Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis)

• Low stomach acid

• Antibiotic use

• Lactose intolerance

• Coeliac disease or non-autoimmune gluten intolerance

• Consistent use of antacids

• Steroids and painkillers

• Lack of exercise

• Long term stress

• Hiatus hernia

• Dysbiosis (parasites, fungal overgrowth (candida), pathogenic microbes, low numbers of beneficial bacteria like bifido)

• Food poisoning or travel bug

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Dietary changes, lifestyle tips and a therapeutic plan aimed at healing the gut can restore our digestion and with it, our energy and vitality. When you begin to understand why your symptoms arise, you can begin to take steps to resolve them.

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Click on the image below to find out more.

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