Nutrition for gut health
A healthy gut can improve our lives in a myriad of ways, and so is something we benefit from supporting even if we don't have disruptive symptoms.
If however, our digestive health has become disordered, that focus becomes all the more important. The learning and experience of 20 years of working with digestive health mean I have strategies I can share with you to help your gut and feel good.
How I can help you with your gut health
Each gut health journey is individual. 20 years of training and clinical practice have helped me develop an extensive tool kit of dietary strategies to help with your specific digestive issues. The solutions can be easy to implement or may need more support.
Assess & evaluate
We start by gathering evidence and insight from your symptoms, and any tests you have had in the past.
Testing*
Testing can be a valuable tool in understanding your gut health and we would discuss options. *If suitable for you.
Dietary strategies
I'll give you evidence-based recommendations of foods to focus on, as well as those to limit for each stage of your digestive healing.
Long-term goals
Restore your gut to its best health, replacing any beneficial bacteria that may be lacking, supporting digestion, and soothing and healing an irritated digestive tract
Ongoing digestive health support
Digestive disorder places a significant stress on the body and mind and can impact on our energy, focus and self-confidence.
Whilst some just want answers and strategies, you may benefit from being supported through the process of implementing dietary and supplement strategies, assessing improvements and working through next steps until digestive health and confidence in this are restored.
We can discuss your needs and tailor your support to suit.
Commom gut & digestive issues
Many common digestive and gut ailments can benefit from nutritional therapy including:
- reflux,
- bloating,
- discomfort or pain,
- constipation or diarrhoea,
- bowel movement unpredictability or urgency,
- IBS
Improving gut health & digestion
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to live with the discomfort and impact on your daily life that gut problems can bring.
If you're suffering from digestive issues, there are evidence-based ways to support your body and find relief.
How nutritional therapy can support the gut
Digestive health is fundamental to our physical and mental well-being. Our bodies run and repair using the food and drinks we take in; a sophisticated system of breaking down our food, digesting it, and then releasing the nutrients into our bloodstream, ready to be transported to the cells where these vital nutrients are used.
Nutritional Therapy looks at each stage of this process, exploring the challenges and how to find resolution—working alongside medical investigation where appropriate.
Tailored gut health support
Each gut health journey is individual, and I may recommend various dietary and lifestyle strategies.
My goal is always to find a sustainable, long-term solution for you. Sometimes we also need short-term implementation of eating structures like a low FODMAP diet to help restore order.
Gut health testing
Testing can be a valuable tool to understand what gut issues/imbalances you might be facing, and we would discuss options.
Tests we may consider running through my clinic include:
- SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) testing
- H pylori testing for stomach infection
- Food intolerance testing
- Stool testing
- Food allergy testing
- IgE allergy, as opposed to food intolerance, tests can be run if needed
- DAO enzyme testing for dietary histamine
- Gluten sensitivity and coeliac blood testing
- Lactose intolerance - although this can be tested, we usually do this through a home dietary and supplement trial.
N.B. It may also be that if the need for medical support is also indicated, we will refer you to your GP or gastroenterologist.
Stool testing
We offer a 3-sample stool test to assess your gut microbiome, including your beneficial bacteria, markers of infection from the irritating fermenting and gas-producing bacteria and yeasts, to the parasites which may have been a background gut annoyance for a long-time and inflammation. Markers of how well you break down your food and of inflammation
Food intolerance testing
Many people get in touch wanting to investigate if they have food intolerances, they may have had tests in the past but feel the list of foods not agreeing with them is growing, and the restricted life and diet is becoming understandably impossible to follow.
We can of course run different types of blood antibody tests, include IgE and Cyrex, for this, but food intolerances are usually a symptom, not the root cause, so we look at underlying reasons for your symptoms first
The stress-gut cycle
If you suffer from gut issues then you likely know how this can impact your mood, this isn't just due to the discomfort and inconvenience. The gut and brain are connected through millions of nerves, especially the vagus nerve.
Stress inhibits healthy digestion
Stress can inhibit the signals sent from your brain to the gut along this nerve and trigger digestive disorder
The gut produces feel-good chemicals
The bacteria in the gut microbiome produce feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA which have been shown to directly impact our mood, cognition, mental health and our ability to think clearly.
Our magical microbiome
The gut microbiome also helps keep the gut lining healthy so we can absorb nutrients and reduce the risk of a damaged, and permeable, leaky gut which can lead to an overzealous immune system, food sensitivities, inflammation and impact the nervous system, brain and mood.
Client testimonal & gut health case study
Having experienced issues for a long time with bloating that wasn't easing despite diet changes I booked my first appointment with Yvonne.
Yvonne was warm, friendly and very non-judgemental. She focused first on understanding what was happening with my gut, empowering me to get the right tests done by my GP and sharing the results with her.
From here we did a few more tests including a full DNA panel. With this, Yvonne was able to tailor my supplement regime to my body's biological needs. The DNA test showed that my body really struggled to absorb Vitamin D, so natural sunlight would never be enough to meet my body's needs and this had to be supplemented.
Following the personal supplement regime from Yvonne, my bloating quickly subsided.
I have recommended Yvonne to many people who have all had excellent results and support.
Mrs G
Booking an appointment with our nutritionist is as easy as 1, 2, 3...
Schedule a convenient time using the link below. You'll receive a detailed questionnaire to fill out before your session.
Have a 1-1 session with Yvonne in-clinic or over Zoom to discuss your nutrition and map out a plan for the future.
You'll receive a tailored plan and together we'll agree follow up sessions & build a support plan that suits you.
Rather speak to a human being? Talk to Laura, our lovely clinic manager, she'll be happy to book your session and walk you through everything.
Pricing
1hr 15mins
50 mins
30 mins
4 x 15 min sessions
New Forest Nutritionist
Visit Yvonne at our nutrition clinic in the centre of Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest. Free parking is available on site.
Yvonne is offering virtual consultations for those seeking online nutritional advice or who are outside the local area.
Since the pandemic, changes to working patterns mean that I now see my Harley Street clients online. Our Beaulieu clinic is fully open for face-to-face appointments - see our COVID-19 advice for all visitors
Beaulieu Nutrition & Natural Health Clinic, The Old Queensmead Dairy, Beaulieu, SO42 7YA