Men's Health
Gut health and FUNCTIONAL DIGESTIVE DISORDERS
Good gut health is critical to every aspect of our health which is why I'm so passionate about digestion.
Many people suffer from occasional stomach upset when they've eaten too much or picked up a stomach bug.
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However if you have regular problems with your digestion (pain, bloating, reflux, constipation), it's likely that you're not getting the full benefit from your food, which over time, can lead to disease.
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There are a wide range of digestive issues that can cause someone discomfort, and some people suffer from several different symptoms at once. The men I work with have conditions such as IBS, SIBO, reflux, constipation, diarrhoea, histamine intolerance and food intolerances.
I love to help you overcome digestive problems and help feel confident in your food choices.
Seeing a naturopath for IRRITABLE BOWEL Syndrome
If you have been diagnosed with IBS it means that your doctor has ruled out any serious digestive disease. Unfortunately this still leaves many people with UNSOLVED DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS and daily symptoms that are painful or embarrassing.
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For some, choosing what to eat each day becomes confusing because everything seems to upset their stomach. ​
Digestive upset doesn't have to control your life any more. There are many ways a naturopath can help you to heal your digestive system holistically and take back control of your eating and digestion.
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Symptom relief is important but an emphasis will be placed on discovering the underlying cause of the problem. Symptoms can be eliminated once and for all and the digestive system can finally get a chance to heal.
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If you've suffered with IBS for a long time, you may have often tried a diet such as FODMAPs, dairy free or gluten free with some relief, but they have never got to the source of the problem.
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Restricted eating over the long term can cause nutritional deficiencies and more intolerances. It's a good idea to get advice about the foods that you can and can't eat, so this doesn't happen to you.
Common underlying reasons for IBS are anxiety, low stomach acid, food intolerances, SIBO, dysbiosis and/or histamine intolerance, often in combination with a stressful lifestyle.
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Natural treatments for constipation
If you struggle to pass a stool and go only every other day, then you have constipation. Constipation is something that I discuss with clients everyday in my clinic. It's a very common condition affecting about 25% of Australians.
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Do you poop every day but rely on stool softeners or coffee to help you along? You could benefit from diet or lifestyle changes to improve your bowel function.
Constipation might cause bloating, gas and pain. Other symptoms that may occur alongside constipation include headaches, acne, eczema or irritability.
If you're struggling to poo, your body is sending you a signal that you haven't eaten the right food or consumed enough fluids the day(s) before. Or you might have an underlying functional digestive condition such as SIBO (find out more below).
SIBO small intestine bacterial overgrowth
functional testing - accredited naturopath
Approximately 60% of IBS sufferers have a condition called SIBO.
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SIBO occurs when the small intestine has an overgrowth of bacteria. The bacteria ferment starches and fibres from food into gases and cause symptoms.
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These gases damage the small intestine and prevent absorption of nutrients. Patients can suffer digestive problems including diarrhoea, bloating, gas and constipation for many years before being diagnosed.
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If I suspect that you have SIBO, I will recommend some functional testing:
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GI map microbiome mapping
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SIBO breath test
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Eradicating SIBO involves adhering to a fairly strict diet for 8 to 12 weeks while taking an individually formulated herbal anti-microbial mix.
Naturopathic solutions for FOOD INTOLERANCES
About 20% of Australians report that they have reactions to certain foods. Many of these reactions are due to an intolerance, rather than an actual allergic reaction.
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Food intolerances can cause symptoms 1 or 2 days after eating, so it is often hard to pinpoint exactly which food(s) has caused the problem.
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Food intolerances can cause widespread inflammation and be responsible for causing, or worsening, many other conditions such as diarrhoea, constipation, eczema, sinus or headaches.
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I can HELP YOU UNCOVER which foods cause your symptoms. Working with a combination of dietary changes and herbal medicine, we can gain relief from bloating, pain, gas, diarrhoea and/or constipation.
Supporting the health of your digestive system and also your immune system with essential nutrients and herbal medicine can make a difference to your digestive comfort quite quickly.
I am passionate about working with your GUT MICROBIOME using food, prebiotics and herbal medicine.
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I might recommend a stool test to map the diversity of the bacteria in your digestive system. A lack of diversity can be the key to inflammation and food intolerances in some people.
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Food intolerances could also be the result of poor digestive capacity and we might work together to build up the health of the cells in your stomach and small intestine.
Stress can play a role in poor digestive function and you might be surprised at how many women respond well to a herbal formula designed to calm the nervous system and provide relief from stress.
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The healthy GUT MICROBIOME
Our large intestine contains trillions of bacteria. These bacteria have evolved with us and assist our wellbeing as long as we look after them. The gut bacteria thrive alongside various yeasts and viruses, fermenting and digesting the fibres in our diet that we can't digest.
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Research into gut microbiome is growing and it's now believed that a diversity of gut bacteria are as essential for our health as one of our organs, such as our liver or kidneys.
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Our gut microbiome can become out of balance due to limited diets, processed foods, antibiotics, other medications, alcohol, pesticides and herbicides. The term we use for unbalanced gut microbiome is 'dysbiosis'.
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Dysbiosis can contribute to many health conditions, ranging from asthma and eczema, psoriasis, histamine intolerance, and autoimmune conditions.
Dybiosis can also play a role when someone has problems losing weight, diabetes type II, or gut problems such as bloating and diarrhoea, and even changes in mood.
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We are fortunate to be able to do a simple stool test called the GI map to assess the diversity of bacteria and other microbes found within your digestive system.
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I can use this information to inform you of a range of foods and/or herbal medicine that will benefit your diversity and your ongoing health.
LEAKY GUT
I love to use stool testing as a tool to uncover if you might have leaky gut.
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Leaky gut is a condition where the cells that line your digestive system have become more permeable than they should be.
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This permeability (or leakiness) allows toxins, bacteria and undigested particles of food to travel from the digestive system into the blood stream and then into circulation.
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The result of leaky gut is immune activation and widespread inflammation.
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Many symptoms are associated with this condition including bloating, abdominal pain, bowel changes and food intolerances, as well as skin conditions.
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Long term, leaky gut can be associated with chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions.
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I wrote a blog for you to learn more about leaky gut. Everything you need to know about leaky gut.
Working with a naturopath to improve REFLUX
Reflux, or heartburn affects around 25% of the population, where stomach contents regurgitate into the oesophagus to cause burning and discomfort. Reflux can cause further medical problems, so it is important to find the underlying cause and eliminate the reflux.
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Prescription medication for reflux doesn't solve the underlying problem and many people take them for years, unable to stop taking them without reflux returning.
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The treatment of reflux must be holistic and address the underlying cause.
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When I treat people for reflux we pay attention to the foods that they are eating, coffee, medications, the manner in which food is eaten (quickly, or under stressful conditions, or in large quantities), if the person is overweight and the health of the digestive system.
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Herbal medicines, diet changes and mindful eating can all play a part in improving reflux.
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Some people with reflux have coexisting Helicobacter pylori. This is an opportunistic bacteria that thrives in the same low stomach acid conditions that are also associated with reflux.
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Helicobacter pylori often causes nausea and burning pain in the stomach. Herbal medicine and nutritional changes can also help, especially if you are trying to avoid antibiotics.
Prevention and longevity
Health coaching and functional testing
Are you feel OK but want to feel really vibrant and energetic?
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Do you feel like something's wrong but the regular testing turns up nothing?
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Thanks to functional testing we are able to assess your gut microbiome, food biocompatibility and metabolic pathways.
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Combining functional testing with regular blood tests and questioning, we can find ways to improve your energy and sense of wellbeing.