 You know that feeling – where you woke up just fine but by the end of the day you're ready to burst out of your jeans? Perhaps you feel like you could literally clear out a room with the amount of smelly, gassy air you're expelling? Bloating and gas can cause embarrassment and does nothing for one's self-esteem. I can help you! Read on if you want to know the reasons why you could be so bloated and gassy. 1. You're constipatedThe longer your stool stays in your colon the more the bacteria there will ferment it. This will produce more gas and cause more bloating. Bloating from constipation can even cause back pain. Your pipes should move at least once daily and with ease. Ideally you're having two to three bowel movements daily. If things aren't so regular, you may want to check that you're drinking enough water, moving your body throughout the day and eating the right types of fibre. If you feel you're already doing all the right things and you still feel constipated and bloated get in touch with me. 2. You have a food intoleranceYou feel you're reacting to everything! You feel bloated, gassy, a bit rubbish – and it’s often mistaken for a food intolerance. And that assumption means that we tend to cut out certain foods from our diet altogether. What's really happening is your body is struggling to break down particular food particles due to an enzyme or stomach acid deficiency. I explain more about food intolerance in this blog post. Putting in nutritional and short-term supplement support for digestive enzyme production, bile and/or stomach acid can help. Taking steps to strengthen the gut barrier can also be really beneficial if you suspect food intolerance. Cutting out foods and avoiding more and more food groups does not solve food intolerance in the long term because you are not addressing the underlying issue – the enzyme and acid deficiency and/or your leaky gut. I can help you! 3. Bacterial infection in your gutYou may have gut dysbiosis, an unhealthy balance of bacteria in your gut. For instance, if you have high levels of methane producing bacteria in your large intestine you probably produce foul smelling farts more frequently and experience constipation. The types and abundance of bacteria which you harbour in your gut can be identified through comprehensive stool testing and the balance of bacteria can be addressed with tailored diet and supplement plan, created by your nutritionist. If you experience bloating, excessive burping and constipation you may have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, also known as SIBO. A simple breath test or comprehensive stool test can be helpful to identify what's really going on. 4. You've had your gallbladder removedYour gallbladder stores bile, a substance that helps you digest dietary fats and absorb fat soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E and K). When you have a healthy gallbladder, bile is released as needed at mealtimes to help you digest your meal. Once your gallbladder is removed you can no longer store bile. Instead bile is continuously dripping straight into your intestine (even when there is no food to digest). This creates a laxative effect and increases your risk of diarrhoea and bloating. Having your gallbladder removed also reduces your ability to digest and absorb fat and fat-soluble vitamins. With the right diet and tailored supplement support, it is possible to help your body digest fat more easily again and feel more comfortable. Get in touch with me to find out more.  5. Your portion sizes are too bigWhen you consume large amounts of food, your body needs to work harder to break down and digest everything. Digestion is a lengthy process. Your stomach has to produce a greater amount of enzymes and stomach acid in order to sufficiently break down the large portion of food you have consumed. Insufficient stomach acid and digestive enzymes can lead to bloating after a large meal. If you find your portion sizes are too big, try eating off a smaller plate 6. You're eating too fastIt takes your brain 20 minutes to register fullness. So next time you go to eat, slow down and give your body a chance to catch up with your eating. Eating more slowly will also reduce the risk of overeating which contributes to bloating. 7. You're skipping mealsSkipping meals is going to increase your hunger later on in the day. This can lead you to eat too much, too quickly at your next meal, and may lead to bloating. 8. You're consuming fizzy drinksThe carbonation in fizzy drinks can cause gas to become trapped in your stomach leading to bloating and belching in attempts to remove the gas. Drink fizzy drinks slowly to minimise the amount of air entering your stomach. 🚩 Bloating red flags 🚩 If you experience unexplained or excessive bloating speak to your GP as it could be a sign of cancer or other serious disease. What to do next...It’s time to break free from never-ending tummy troubles for good with my 90 Days to Better Gut Health 1:1 Programme! If you're ready to get to the bottom of your gut health issues and FINALLY feel like yourself again book a call now. 
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 Our immune system is a fascinating and complex galaxy of cells, organs and fluids that help defend us against the millions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that bombard us in our daily lives. Supporting our immune system with the right foods and nutrients as the seasons change is a powerful way of ‘arming ourselves’ against the immune challenges we face, reducing the risk of infection as well as shortening the duration and severity of colds and flu. In this blog post, I'm going to take you through five of my favourite foods to support your immune system as we head into cold and flu season so you can stay well for longer and recover faster if you do get the sniffles, a head cold or nasty viral infection. I aim to be as transparent as possible This blog post contains links to products I recommend from Planet Organic as well as a discount code you are welcome to use, MARY15 for 15% off purchases (can be used multiple times). I don't receive commission on the purchases you make but I do get to select my favourite items to showcase each month and these items are gifted to me in return. The items are carefully selected by me (not by Planet Organic) and are brands and products I genuinely respect, regularly use myself and recommend frequently to clients. Let's go!  ElderberryElderberry is one of my favourite anti-viral foods. Not only is it a beautiful colour and flavour but it has the ability to support immune function and exhibits anti-viral effects. Elderberry contains phytochemicals, active chemicals which help blunt the ‘spikes’ on the outside of viruses, blocking the ability of the viruses to infect cells. Pretty amazing, right?! Check out this study of elderberry on influenza A and B for more details. Furthermore, this meta-analysis (a review of all the existing small scale studies) on the effects of elderberry supplementation on upper respiratory symptoms showed that supplementation with a standardised elderberry extract is significantly effective at reducing the total duration and severity of upper respiratory symptoms, as compared to a placebo group. The researchers also reported the strongest effect when elderberry is used in pre-treatment, during infection and post-infection, rather than when used solely during infection. The health benefits of elderberry extend to the gut thanks to its polyphenol content. Polyphenols contribute to the beautiful deep purple colour and are anti-inflammatory to the gut. They make up my 3P's of gut health - polyphenols, prebiotics and probiotics. We want to consume all three to support a happier, healthier gut! Here are two elderberry products I always keep on standby for immune support: `You're welcome to use MARY15 to receive 15% discount at Planet Organic  MushroomsMedicinal mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake and maitake contain beta 1-3/1-6 glucans, polysaccharides which naturally occur in the cell walls of mushrooms (particularly in shiitake and maitake). They are proven to support the immune system, making it more resistant to pathogens. They are particularly supportive against upper respiratory tract infections and colds. Macrophages, the clean-up cells of your immune system, have receptors that specifically recognise beta 1-3/1-6 glucan because they occur in the cell walls of many bacteria and fungi. Beta glucans are classed as "immuno-modulators". They interact with your immune system in a balancing way, up- or down-regulating immune functions as needed. The benefits of mushrooms are well known historically and were prized for their healing properties, and anti-ageing properties. In Japan they were associated with longevity and eternal youth! Nowadays, thanks to advances in research, the benefits of medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake and Cordyceps are known to come from their beta glucan content and deliver anti-carcinogenic benefits. While some bioactive compounds such as beta glucans are common to all medicinal mushrooms, each strain of mushroom possess its own combination of compounds that gives it unique healing qualities. Reishi mushroom for instance is well known for its powerful antioxidant effects and its ability to calm the nervous system. Mushrooms may be a bit like Marmite – you either love them or hate them – but they have been found to be ‘immunoceutical’ hot houses! If you loathe eating mushrooms, you can still benefit from their immune power by taking a food supplement. Choose from a fabulous selection of mushroom powders, capsules and even mushroom chocolate and mushroom coffee in Planet Organic. Great news if you struggle with the texture of eating mushrooms! Harness their umami flavour in your cooking I love to use organic dried mushrooms to make a miso soup, vegan bone broth or stock. They create a delicious depth of flavour. I'm also a huge fan of stirring organic mushroom powder into my coffee or chicory latte without tainting the flavour. The powders are so versatile and a nice way to get a concentrated dose of beta glucans every day. If you've any questions about how you could use some of these foods send me an email or message me on Instagram. I'd love to help. If you want to experience the immune benefits of mushrooms use 'MARY15' to receive 15% off anything at Planet Organic.  Fermented FoodsIncreasing your intake of fermented foods is very worthwhile not just for the direct benefits to your your gut health but also for your immune health. Each mouthful of fermented food provides trillions of beneficial bacteria. Allowing these good bacteria to flourish in your gut creates a powerful ally for your immune system, 80% of which lives in your gut. Fermented foods include: raw unpasteurised kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, parmesan and miso paste (my personal favourite is this one by Clearspring). If you're new to kombucha, this one by Jarr is delicious. Imagine your favourite ginger beer, only healthier, without the refined sugar and lots of probiotics for good gut health. Serve over ice in your favourite wine glass and ditch the foggy head and hangover this weekend. Cheers! If you'd like to experience the gut and immune benefits of fermented foods at a discounted price use 'MARY15' and receive 15% off anything at Planet Organic If you struggle to incorporate fermented foods into your diet you may enjoy my other blog post here. I also cover the differences between probiotic foods and probiotic supplements here.  GarlicGarlic is a fantastic, flavoursome food and a super cheap way to tackle infections of all sorts. It has antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Amazing! Just make sure you're preparing it right! The secret is to eat it raw for greatest benefit. That's because cooking deactivates the antimicrobial enzyme in garlic known as allicin. The best way to prepare garlic in order to get the most anti-microbial benefit is to crush the garlic with the back of a knife and leave it sitting in its skin for 10 minutes. This activates the allicin which is the enzyme that brings the immune benefits. Where possible, eat garlic raw - such as in salad dressings or stir it into soups or casseroles at the end of cooking. This way you'll protect the allicin (which is deactivated through heat) and get maximum antimicrobial benefit from garlic. Garlic is also a powerful prebiotic. Prebiotics feed probiotics, the friendly bacteria living in your gut microbiome. And as 80% of your immune system resides in your gut, it makes sense to support a healthy digestive system so that you have a healthy gut-immune response. Already feeling like you're coming down with a cold or infection? Finely chop a peeled clove of garlic and eat/drink it before bed for strongest anti-microbial action. Ginger Ginger is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and may help soothe inflamed throats or sinuses. Try juicing a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger with vitamin C rich carrots and orange. Or simply grate it into warm water with the juice of half a lemon. Add it to home cooked soups, stir-fries or curries for everyday anti-inflammatory support. What about immune supplements?There are quite a few to choose from and a number of nutrients in particular to consider at the first sign of cold, flu or other viral infection to reduce the severity and duration of illness. I cover more on specific immune supplements in this video. Want to find out more about working with me?I provide tailored supplement plans and nutrition protocols as part of my 90-day 1-1 programme, including recipes and inspiration for mealtimes. You'll find more details here.   Do you find yourself constantly thinking about "stuff"?
So often we get so caught up in our thoughts we miss the beauty and richness of the present moment. And thanks to all that frantic energy (AKA adrenaline), it's no surprise our stomach ends up in knots and we can feel really bloated, nauseous and anxious. But it doesn't have to be this way! I spoke to Katie Sheen, a mindfulness practitioner (and ex-nutritionist) recently on Instagram about how we can use mindfulness to ease our digestion and beat anxiety before we even get out of bed in the morning! By adding mindfulness into our lives, we can help calm our nervous system down, switch off the fight or flight response, get out of chronic pain and feel happier in our mind, as well as in our gut! Click here for the replay if you want to know more. We explore:
Smile at your digestive system and wish it well. This may sound crazy but visualisation is an important part of your recovery from chronic ill health. It helps with neuroplasticity and laying down new neural pathways. Sounds totally madey-uppy but it’s actually supported by science. If you want to explore this further I’m a big fan of the app, Curable. Check it out. Next time you go to “grab a cup of tea”… Katie also shared this brilliant podcast episode about mindful tea drinking. Drinking tea is definitely ingrained in my life, a firm family ritual (although less Barry's and more Pukka herbals these days). Having a cup of tea can be a whole art and a great reminder to just STOP. Be in the here and now. Smell the aroma. Feel the heat. Watch the leaves swirl. Be present (mindful) with your next cuppa. https://plumvillage.org/podcas... Honestly we crammed so much great stuff into this 30 minutes. I’m so grateful to Katie for sharing her expert knowledge. Find out more about Katie and her mindfulness courses here. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more tips and interviews like this one. As a nutritionist, I can help you choose the right foods and diet to:
Wave bye-bye to palpitations driven by too many stimulants and feel calmer and more relaxed in your body and mind. If you're interested in finding out more about working with me 1-1, check out my 90-day programme here. I’m off to make a mindful brew, see you soon! Mary x  Tired of misdiagnosed or dismissed tummy troubles? Frustrated with endless nights searching the web for answers? Sick of your digestive system dictating (and often ruining) your day? Fed-up playing a guessing game with your gut health? There’s no denying that gut health issues can be debilitating and frustrating. Especially when your GP gives you the “all clear” or your test results come back “normal” despite ongoing symptoms. Chances are, if you are reading this article, you can resonate with some or all the above. And, you are not alone. In fact, as a registered nutritional therapist, I work with individuals like you every day. Individuals who are seeking answers, who feel they have tried everything and are eager to regain control of their gut health once and for all! In most cases, comprehensive stool testing is the next step. Here’s why...  What is stool testing?When it comes to gut health, I’m a big advocate for testing and not guessing. Why? Because blindly making changes to your nutrition or lifestyle could lead you in the wrong direction and sometimes do more harm than good. Functional Stool testing is one of the best and most comprehensive gut health tests available and can give a snapshot of what’s going on inside your gut. By assessing key digestive markers, this test can provide an overview of all aspects of digestive function. It can offer much-needed clarity, demystify symptoms and help bring peace of mind. A comprehensive stool test acts as an important tool, measuring (good and bad) bacteria levels, detecting markers for inflammation, immune or digestive issues, and gives a general overview of an individual’s gastrointestinal health. Contrary to what you might think, taking a stool test is quick, mess-free and easy to do from the comfort of your home. Each test requires just three swabs from one sample, which is then posted back to the lab for analysis.  What can comprehensive stool testing show?There are two main types of stool tests used in the UK: the kind doctors use to screen for certain diseases or conditions and the type registered nutritional therapists use to inform nutritional therapy recommendations. If you head to your doctor with symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation or bloating, or if you’ve been passing mucus or blood in your bowel movements, they may ask you to do a stool sample. This test may rule out serious diseases like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or H. Pylori but often these tests fail to identify the root cause of what is causing your symptoms. Instead of digging deeper, individuals get labelled with a diagnosis of "IBS" (irritable bowel syndrome) - a BS "umbrella term" which is not a real diagnosis. More on that here. Private gut health tests via nutritionists - like Stellar Health, provide a more comprehensive overview of the gut’s health. A comprehensive stool analysis test looks at the microbiology in your gut, and indicates where there are imbalances or even absences of particular bacteria. It can also provide information on: ✔️ gases produced by bacteria (e.g. methane or sufidogenic) which may be contributing to SIBO, bloating, and/or constipation ✔️ inflammation, e.g. calprotectin ✔️ immune, e.g. secretory IgA ✔️ digestion, e.g. enzymes and bile acids ✔️ mucin degradation, e.g. leaky gut ✔️ microbes ✔️ yeasts including candida Armed with this invaluable information, we can begin to paint a picture of what’s contributing to your symptoms and determine what dietary, lifestyle and supplemental interventions might be most effective. While stool tests can be an important tool in assessing potential digestive imbalances, it’s important to remember that they are not a magic bullet. However, when used alongside a client’s case history, it can be a really helpful guide to inform next steps and a more targeted and personalised nutrition plan.  Why should I consider a comprehensive stool test?The health of our gut is closely linked to the health of just about every organ in our body, including the brain, bladder, heart, skin, and even vaginas! With this in mind, I believe that anyone can benefit from comprehensive stool testing and that gut health testing should be a standard part of preventive care. As already discussed, stool testing can vary depending on whether it is carried out by a doctor or a nutritionist. While both tests have a place in your journey to better gut health, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. Doctors should be your first point of contact should you start to experience issues with your gut. When a doctor is examining your stool sample, they are looking to rule out specific diseases. However, frustratingly these tests do not uncover the root of the problem and can often come back “normal”, leaving the patient confused and without answers. A typical result from a basic lab stool culture (from your doctor) might look something like this:
Not only does this result provide little information, but it can also lead you to believe your gut is healthy or balanced, even though your symptoms are telling you it isn’t. I’ve had so many clients that have received “normal” basic stool culture results, only to do comprehensive stool testing and find that they have severe fungal or microbial imbalances. Comprehensive stool testing differs because it allows us to cast a wider net, looking at chronic disease-related microbial (bacteria, fungal, parasites) markers and information regarding digestion efficiency. When you suffer from symptoms like bloating, foul wind or alternating bowel movements, the issue is functional and not visible to cameras, endoscopes or the naked eye. Functional stool testing isn’t about “yes” or “no” results. It’s about looking at patterns in the entire gut ecosystem, your health history and current health and using this information to get to the bottom of the problem and inform personalised diet recommendations. Ultimately, a comprehensive stool test can give you answers, clarity and the foundation for a gut health roadmap. How much does stool testing cost?Comprehensive stool tests are highly specialised and currently not offered through the NHS. At present, the only option is to pay for them privately. There are many different stool tests on the market, and while cost can vary from test to test, there’s no denying that it can be an expensive procedure. However, when you suffer from persistent debilitating symptoms that affect your daily life, finding an answer can outweigh any cost and make it worth every penny. Imagine; no longer stressing over food labels, worrying where the nearest loo is or choosing clothes based on what you want to wear, not how bloated you are. Priceless, right? Ready to reap the benefits of comprehensive stool testing? The good news is it is included in my 90 Days to Better Gut Health 1:1 nutrition programme.  90 days to a happier, healthier gut (yes, really!)🎈 Bloating 🤢 acid reflux 😲 unpredictable bowel movements 🥴 indigestion 😞 constipation 💨 foul wind 🥱 fatigue 💩diarrhoea 😩 stomach cramps… It’s time to break free from never-ending tummy troubles for good with my 90 Days to Better Gut Health 1:1 Programme! For an investment of £1497 or 3 monthly payments of £499, this 90-day programme provides a window into the goings-on of your gut and is the only way to get a full scope of clinical tests carried out through the trusted labs I use. By joining my programme, you’ll receive:
With my combined approach of comprehensive stool testing and personalised nutritional assessment, this programme can fine-tune any imbalances, address symptoms and get you on the path to a happy, healthier gut 🙌 Ready to get to the bottom of your gut health issues and FINALLY feel like yourself again? |
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