What causes digestive problems?

There are many reasons why you could have digestive problems or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and it is important to get a diagnosis from your GP to rule out serious illness.

Here are just a few possible underlying triggers that may promote digestive disturbance over time.

• SAD diet (Standard American Diet) too low in fibre, rich in white carbohydrates (refined carbs), low in nutrients and high in sugar, additives and chemicals. 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.
• Over use of medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, acid blockers, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). These irritate the gut when used in excess.
• Chronic low grade infections bacterial or yeast overgrowth of the small or large intestines, and/or parasites which you may not even be aware you have. Stool analysis may help in this situation. A breath test can determine small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Lack of enzyme function can be associated with long term use of anti-acids or a zinc deficiency. A lack of enzyme function leads to partial digestion of food which may lead on to excessive gas, bloating and deficiencies. 
• 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... Why?

​Contact me for a personalised plan to help you get to the root cause of your digestive imbalance once and for all. 

You may also be interested in reading:
Tune up your digestion in five simple steps
Natural ways to support diarrhoea 

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