When you come away from the doctor's surgery with a diagnosis of IBS and you're told that life will always be uncomfortable, it's hard to see where to go next. You might be making some mistakes trying to fix your own gut symptoms, so I thought I'd write a blog post to help you.

It's understandable that many of my clients try to take matters into their own hands once an "expert" has told them that there's little to no hope for recovery. 

However, I want you to know that there is hope. You CAN have the freedom to love life again.  

Read on to see if you're making any of these mistakes...

This is something I see all the time. Often people cut everything out and eat the blandest diet they can bear because they don't know what else to do. It can be what ends up being recommended, after serial investigations and only as a last resort, however cutting everything out is pretty pointless if you don't work on the underlying issues. 

Usually, there are problems in the gut that need fixing or healing. And I always look at those factors before any diet decisions are made. For example, we'd look at how you can reduce stress, which is often a contributing factor for gut health by focusing more on foods which have a calming effect on the nervous system. Sometimes clients are taking anti-acids like Omeprazole or Rennies to ease digestive symptoms rather than  solving the actual issue, which could be a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or even too little stomach acid. 

Working with a qualified nutritional therapist means you're not on your own. 

When I meet clients who are following a low-FODMAP diet, it's usually a strategy that's been dished out by their GP willy-nilly. (This isn't a criticism as such, because GPs are underfunded and have limited time and resources to support their patients. I get it!) But if you're recommended to follow the low-FODMAP diet, you have got to do it properly. 

What often happens is people think onions and garlic are fodmaps so they cut those out but they don't do the diet appropriately and unfortunately it doesn't work like that. Excessive bloating, industrial gas and foul smelling stools are often associated with specific bacteria--Desulfovibrio spp and methanobrevii smithii—both of which can be picked up in a comprehensive stool test, and I can organise this. If you want to know more head here.

Following the low-FODMAP diet long term with no support can cause a depletion in microbials and friendly bacteria. Which is (in case you've not realised...) a bad thing. A healthy gut needs those things to do its job properly. 

Instead of following a low-FODMAP diet, you should join my new 10 week programme. We'll follow a much more enjoyable anti-inflammatory diet, with recipes that you can try and we'll even do a cook along. The focus is on healing, nourishing and rebalancing your gut, not making you miserable! You can live a happier and healthier life! 

Select the VIP group programme option and you'll have the option to include a comprehensive stool analysis test as well as a 1-2-1 session with me during the group programme. This is by far the cheapest way to access my expert knowledge as well as stool testing without having to commit to my 1-2-1 90-day gut health plan.

In the grand scheme of things, taking supplements isn't altogether a bad thing. In fact, they're a resource I often recommend to my clients. Under expert guidance, supplements can be incredibly beneficial. With a careful approach your therapeutic needs can be met.

However, I've seen an increase in clients who are taking supplement advice from influencers—who have no nutritional training—they've seen recommending them online. Or perhaps friends who've noticed improvements in their symptoms saying, "you should try it! It's worked wonders for me!". Sadly, supplements need a really personal approach. What works for one person might not work for another person. It can be an expensive waste of time!

The same goes for probiotics. Often my clients tell me they've "tried that; it doesn't work" but there are may different strains of probiotic, all with different abilities. And many probiotic rich foods are actually quite strong and can be overwhelming on a gut that is out of balance. So my approach is to look at healing the gut first, fixing any issues and then adding in probiotics to build gut health.

So you've had a colonoscopy and it's ruled out the Big C, and numerous worrying illnesses, but hasn't given you an answer to your questions. That's not to say you don't have a problem, though. It just means that your problem can't be seen by a camera. Enzymes and bacteria are invisible to the basic cameras used in these procedures. And they're also unable to pick up how you feel and any bloating you might have. 

So while these tests can be vital to rule out life-threatening illnesses, it's important that we acknowledge other ways of investigating gut health. A great example of this is using food journals like we keep on the "Ease your gut, beat the bloat" group programme. By recording what you eat and when, we can work through your diet, identifying triggers. Ones that can't be picked up by a camera!

Another avenue of investigation, beyond a colonoscopy, is comprehensive stool testing. This provides information on bacteria, yeasts and parasites that can become problematic if they become too dominant in an imbalanced or unhealthy gut. These bacteria, yeasts and parasites can be more easily detected because the tests use technology that can measure bacteria's genetic material so they are more easily detected. Find out more about that here.

It can be really lonely working through gut health problems by yourself. Investigating triggers and symptoms with no support is hard! But it doesn't have to be like that. According to research, about 20% of the UK adult population have IBS at any one time. So you're truly not alone! 

Having to face all these difficulties on your own means that often you might face an information overload. You might end up Googling for ideas and getting caught up in searching down an endless rabbit-hole of info. Simply put, it is super-overwhelming. And it can cause you to give up. 

So one easy fix is to look for a trusted and reliable community to share the journey with you. Love or hate social media, it's a place where you can meet fellow sufferers and compare and contrast your symptoms. You can share resources, develop strategies together or just hang out. But it's hard to know where to seek support and who you can trust online, isn't it? Joining a group programme like mine is a fantastic way of creating community. 

Life doesn't have to be lonely!

Have you made any of these mistakes?
Are you at the end of your tether?
Tried every option with no success?
​Time to try something brand new!
I'd love you to join my 10 week programme “Ease your gut, beat the bloat”. Each week we work towards your optimal gut health so you can feel better.
Find out more here on this post. Feel free to email me any questions you have about the programme and how it works. 

April is both stress awareness month and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) awareness month.

While I fully support IBS awareness month, I believe the “awareness” needs to be focussed on what is causing your bowel to be irritable. 

I was prompted to write todays blog because IBS is not a hugely helpful diagnosis. It's an abbreviation to describe an irritated gut. An abbreviation that doesn't help you if, everyday, you feel:
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• Like you can only wear elasticated waistbands past 4PM
• Uncomfortably bloated, inflamed and in pain
• Scared every time you eat

I can’t tell you how many women (and men) I’ve had come to work with me that were told they have IBS and there is nothing they can do about it.

Or they were told to just “manage stress” better.

Working with a nutritional therapist can help get to the root cause of your IBS and support your digestion nutritionally so that you can get back to feeling like you again.

You don’t have to live with your debilitating digestive issues. There is a cause to your digestive dysfunction (it's not just about managing your stress). I want you to know that you can overcome chronic digestive issues. Read on to find out more. 
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​You may have read online that IBS is a junk diagnosis, or "BS" diagnosis. 

In fact this research paper goes as far as describing an IBS diagnosis as lazy medicine...

Here's why!

The author, Ben Brown (Brown, 2019), explains how IBS is not one disease but an umbrella term or ‘catch-all’ for multiple identifiable and treatable digestive symptoms which may be triggered by a combination of nutritional and lifestyle factors.

So once all the tests come back "normal" at your doctors surgery, you get labelled with "IBS" and told "there’s not much we can do about it". 

But all this REALLY means is there's not much we can do *medically* about this, because you don't have a serious life-threatening disease (thankfully!). 

Sadly, a diagnosis of IBS completely fails you, the patient, by not explaining that IBS is driven by multiple nutritional factors. 

Brown's research paper concludes that clustering multiple digestive symptoms under one label of "IBS" risks “lazy thinking” and delays recovery. 

​And as an experienced nutritional therapist, specialising in digestive issues, I agree whole-heartedly with his findings.  

​Tell me, have you been told you "just have to live with IBS"?

Maybe you were told:

“You just need more Imodium, Fybogel, or go low-FODMAP”

These are not long-term solutions to your bloating, diarrhoea or constipation. They are like sticking plasters (which aren't even very sticky). 

In my clinic, I help people on a weekly basis with IBS.

The most common underlying issues for irritable bowel syndrome that I see (which may occur alone or along with several issues) include:

• Lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can be due to antibiotic use, a low fibre diet, or as a result of prolonged stress
• Bacterial overgrowth in the large intestine, which can lead to a combination of bloating, excessive flatulence, constipation or diarrhoea
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) which is a common cause of IBS including constipation and bloating
• Food intolerances due to an inflamed or leaky gut
• Chronic stress (which depletes beneficial gut bacteria and blocks digestive secretions).
• Poor output of digestive secretions produced from the gallbladder, pancreas and low stomach acid
• Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity
• Bile acid diarrhoea

These issues are functional gut disorders. Functional gut issues are not something routinely picked up by a GP. But these are EXACTLY the kinds of digestive issues a nutritional therapist can help you with. Find out more here. 
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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 available as an add-on to my 90 Days to Better Gut Health plan.

🎈 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 £897 or 3 monthly payments of £315, 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: 

• Monthly zoom calls with me 
• Personalised nutrition assessment 
• Monthly recipes matched to your tummy troubles
• A tailored supplement plan
• Unlimited support throughout the 90 days

 
This programme can fine-tune any imbalances, address symptoms and get you on the path to a happy, healthier gut 🙌​

How amazing would it be to eat wherever you want, not plan your trips out based on where the loos are, and go on holidays (remember those!??) without a suitcase full of Buscopan and Fybogel?! 

Well in just 90 days, I can help you go from feeling bloated and windy, to feeling like you again! Banish the uncomfortable feelings, get your energy back and start living your life again!
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Working with me 1-2-1, you'll begin to understand your gut and have the support you need to get the results you want and deserve. Here's how it works!

Stellar Health's 90 days to better gut health is for any one who's got tummy issues. This can look different for lots of my clients. Sometimes the problem might show up as you feeling lethargic and having low energy. Or it might be that you have chronic digestive troubles or chronic pain. Often my clients have been diagnosed with IBS and told that they just need to live with it, or they're advised to try a Low-Fodmap diet. 

All of these issues require more than a quick fix, which is why I only work 1-2-1 with people over a period of 3 months. I want you to start feeling better and living the life you deserve, not one you think you have to put up with. And to do that, we've got to investigate what's really going on and make changes - which takes time if you want to see long-lasting results.

If I sat with you for a whole day on Zoom, sent you a massive binder full of all the information you need to help you investigate your gut health, posted you a load of supplements, and a generic meal plan to follow, the chances are you'd leave the call feeling overwhelmed and confused. And you'd give up within a week or two.

After years of working with hundreds of clients, trying different strategies and methods of working, I've found that getting results takes time. Not only does it take time to see results, it takes you time to get used to changes and get into new routines. 

Working with me over 90 days gives you ongoing support, follow through and accountability for a journey that isn't always easy.  During our time together, we'll make tweaks and look at how they impact your gut, and adjust things as we go. If I only see you once, how can we know if the plan we've put in place is working?

When you book onto 90 Days to Better Gut Health with me, you have to know that this isn't just any old nutritional therapy programme.  This is a whole other level.  Stellar level, if you will!  Over the three months, you get a monthly call with me on Zoom and phone calls in between to help you stay on track.  You get a comprehensive stool test and one month of tailored supplements (included) so there are no hidden surprises, only the best possible results. You get email and messaging support too, so you're never alone on this nutritional journey.  Consider me your gut health wing woman!

Having the chance to chat things through, to be open about how you're feeling as we get into discovering what's really going on in your gut is a super-important part of this experience.  You need to feel comfortable talking to me about your poo, wind, mojo...all sorts! And we can't develop our working relationship in a couple of weeks.  90 days helping you means I get to know what you need, and how it's impacting your well-being.

As a 1-2-1 client, you'll receive a bespoke nutrition protocol clearly outlining our aims, goals and timeframe for our time together.  For me it's important to get the results you want.

Not everyone experiences gut health issues the same, sometimes it's impacting a client's sleep, other times it is causing them huge embarrassment at work. Whatever your goals, we'll figure out a plan of action!

As we work together, we'll keep referring back to this, checking in on your progress towards the goals. And by the end of the 90 days, you'll have achieved improvements in your digestive symptoms and be experiencing renewed health, energy and wellbeing.

When you're on my 90 day programme, you get amazing tailored recipe bundles with images and recipes to help you on this journey.  These take into account your nutritional needs and aren't just a one-size-fits-all PDF!  

Not only do we cover what you're eating, I give each of my 1-2-1 clients a detailed supplement plan. Again, this is not a bog-standard approach. Each plan includes tailored therapeutic doses of the supplements your body needs so you can start to feel better. I run a full nutrient and drug analysis to ensure that the supplements you're taking compliment each other and won't interfere with any medication you may be taking.

Your first month of supplements is included at no additional fee! Your supplements will be delivered straight to your door so you won't need to worry about ordering the right ones or where to find them online. 

Another benefit of this 90 Days to Better Gut Health is that you can access a range of clinical tests.  

Your comprehensive stool test is included as standard when you sign up so we can get to work right away! 

As an experienced nutritional therapist, I'm able to provide a vast range of clinical health tests by reputable laboratories you can rely on.

Clinical tests help assess the underlying causes of any imbalances in your body. This valuable information may help determine a more targeted nutritional plan for you. Using a variety of methods including saliva, stool, blood tests, dried urine, with samples analysed at reputable clinical laboratories, we will get to the bottom of the problem.

Working with me on this 90 day programme is the only way you can get a full scope of clinical tests done with me, through the trusted labs I use. 

My 90 Days to Better Gut Health is a personalised and structured approach to tackling the imbalances that are contributing to your digestive problems. ​IBS is simply an umbrella term for gut health issues. I help you identify which gut health imbalance could be causing your uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing symptoms so you can return to a life you love and worry less about food triggers. 

Over 90 days, you'll get the follow through and support you need to achieve your desired goals. Because we've got time together, and we can tweak things as we go, you will get the results you've been dreaming of.  

If you're ready to quit Googling new diets that might help (from people who might not actually know what they're doing) and instead invest in expert advice that will help you figure out your various ailments, then it's time to take action! Working with me, you'll be safe in the knowledge that I'm a fully qualified and experienced nutritional therapist whose practice is based in scientific fact.