Digestive Health

Milly, 28, had been grappling with the unpredictable discomfort of IBS and stomach bloating for years. The symptoms first surfaced during her stressful and anxiety-ridden university days, marked by sleepless nights and a constant sense of unease. 

Even after graduation, the persistent bloating and abdominal pain never truly subsided. The uncertainty of when her symptoms would flare up made Milly self-conscious, often leading her to withdraw from social situations. This isolation fueled emotional eating habits, creating a vicious cycle of guilt and self-criticism.

A glimmer of hope emerged when a friend mentioned SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and the connection between gut health and overall wellbeing. 

Milly realised that her struggles weren’t just physical; they were deeply intertwined with her mental and emotional state. Determined to find a solution that addressed both her body and mind, she sought out a clinic specialising in digestive health and mental health support.

At the clinic, Milly finally felt heard, understood, and seen. Working with a nutritional therapist, she discovered the power of food as medicine, learning how to nourish her gut and manage her IBS symptoms. 

Alongside this, therapy sessions provided her with the tools to cope with anxiety, stress, and the emotional triggers that contributed to her disordered eating patterns. 

Slowly but surely, Milly began to heal her mind and body, finding a sense of balance and wellbeing that had long been elusive.

Digestive dysfunction can create issues with weight management in a few ways:

• Malabsorption of Nutrients: Conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can lead to malabsorption of nutrients due to inflammation in the gut lining, diarrhea, or changes in gut motility. This can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, affecting metabolism and energy levels, potentially leading to weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
• Gut Microbiome Imbalance: Digestive issues can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, known as gut dysbiosis. This imbalance has been linked to obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
• Stress & Digestive Issues: The gut-brain connection is well-established, and stress can worsen digestive symptoms. Chronic stress can lead to overeating or unhealthy food choices, contributing to weight gain.
• Medication Side Effects: Some medications used to treat digestive disorders can have side effects that impact weight, such as changes in appetite or metabolism.
• Food Intolerances & Sensitivities: Digestive dysfunction can be associated with food intolerances or sensitivities. Avoiding certain foods or food groups can make it challenging to maintain a balanced diet and manage weight effectively.
• Disordered Eating: In some cases, digestive issues can lead to or exacerbate disordered eating patterns, such as restrictive eating or avoiding certain foods due to fear of symptoms, which can negatively impact weight management.

These are just some of the ways that digestive dysfunction can create issues with weight management. Let our expert team address any underlying digestive issues and develop a personalised weight management plan that considers your individual needs and challenges.

FUNCTIONAL TESTING FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Digestive testing provides a functional medicine perspective on your health, allowing us to create targeted support. By analysing your microbiome’s health, including bacterial strains and potential pathogens, our digestive health specialists can develop personalised nutrition and lifestyle interventions. This approach aims to alleviate your symptoms, rebalance your hormones, and enhance your overall well-being.

How Can Digestive Testing Help Me?

To identify the root cause of your digestive imbalance, we consider test results alongside your symptoms, diet, and lifestyle habits. Functional digestive testing can pinpoint the underlying causes of many conditions. Tests may include a digestive stool test, breath tests, and others, to assess various aspects of your digestive system and provide insights into symptoms like bloating, flatulence, intolerances, and conditions like IBS and IBD. Understanding your gut health enables us to create targeted interventions and restore balance.

What Can You Test For?

Functional testing provides a comprehensive evaluation of your microbiome’s function, including:

• Commensal bacteria
• Microbiome metabolites
• Intestinal inflammation
• Digestive enzymes
• Faecal fats
• Mycology
• Parasitology
• Faecal occult blood

What Sample Do You Need?

Digestive health can be tested using various methods, most commonly through an at-home stool or breath test. Our digestive health specialists will recommend the most suitable option based on your symptoms and health profile.

The GI Effects Profile

The GI Effects Profile is a comprehensive digestive analysis using a stool sample to assess maldigestion, inflammation, dysbiosis, metabolic imbalance, and infection. Proper nutrient absorption and digestion are crucial for good health. The GI Effects Profile offers detailed insights into your ability to break down food, produce essential metabolic byproducts, and maintain a healthy balance of bacterial species in your gut — all of which can impact digestive symptoms, skin conditions, anxiety, and weight.