What causes digestive problems?

There are many reasons why your gut health problems or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have come about. It sometimes feels like these symptoms have appeared completely out-of-the-blue but often it's a build-up of various diet and lifestyle factors over many years.  Here are five of the most common reasons behind gut health issues:

1. ​A SAD diet (Standard American Diet). A SAD diet is a beige, bland diet. One that is low in fibre, rich in white carbohydrates (refined carbs), low in nutrients and high in sugar, additives and chemical sweeteners. This beige diet changes the ecosystem of our gut microbiome (balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut). These guys exist to regulate our immune responses, our mood and our tolerance to a variety of foods. Over time, the SAD diet damages the gut lining and sets the stage for food intolerances, inflammation, excessive bloating, gas and digestion problems.
2. Over use of medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and acid blockers.  These drugs irritate the gut when used  regularly or in excess.
3. Chronic low grade infections such as bacterial or yeast imbalances in the intestines, and/or parasites which you may not even be aware you have. Stool analysis is a great way to rule this out. A breath test can also determine small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
4. Low levels of digestive enzymes can be associated with long term use of anti-acids or a zinc deficiency. Reduced digestive enzyme output leads to partially digested food particles which may increase the risk of excessive gas, bloating and food intolerance. Digestive enzyme levels can be tested using comprehensive stool testing. 
5. Chronic stress changes the gut bacteria, alters the gut’s nervous system and promotes gut dysbiosis (leaky gut).

Our ability to tolerate the food we normally eat suddenly becomes impaired (we become sensitive or intolerant) and we start asking ourselves... What's changed? 

​Contact me for a personalised plan to help you get to the root cause of your digestive imbalance once and for all. You can also view my range of nutrition packages and how we can work together here.

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