Understanding IBS: How a Nutritional Therapist Can Help You Take Control
IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a common digestive condition that can have a real impact on daily life. Whether it’s bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhoea, or that uncomfortable “on edge” feeling in your gut — IBS symptoms can feel unpredictable and exhausting.
Let’s break down what might be going on, and how nutritional therapy can offer a way forward.
What Is IBS?
IBS isn’t a disease, but rather a functional gut disorder. It often involves a mix of gut sensitivity, motility (how your digestive muscles move), inflammation, or imbalances in gut bacteria.
The causes of IBS vary in individuals so a personalised approach is required to get to the root cause. It is also important to rule out other digestive disorders when symptoms are severe.
Often IBS can be triggered by food intolerances such as dairy of gluten. However emotional upset, stress and hormonal fluctuations especially during puberty and the menopause can also be triggering. Keeping a food, mood and symptom diary is a good way to try to make these connections.
How a Nutritional Therapist Can Help
As a nutritional therapist, I take a personalised approach. We look beyond symptoms to explore what’s driving your IBS — whether it’s stress, food sensitivities, low stomach acid, or an imbalanced microbiome.
Functional Testing: GP’s can provide stool tests that are limited in their findings, which often leaves IBS sufferers feeling frustrated. Nutritional Therapists can provide functional lab testing that provides an insight in to what is actually happening inside your body. These tests guide our course of action, which results in a more tailored approach to your needs and your biological make up.
I will use the findings from the gut microbiome testing to create a tailored step by step plan that will treat the root cause of your IBS symptoms, it will not include a long list of foods you will need to avoid forever, instead we will focus on optimising your gut terrain and overall health through nutrition.
The First Step Toward Feeling Better
You don’t have to put up with IBS or go it alone. With the right support, it is possible to feel more in control of your digestion, regain energy, and enjoy food again without fear.
If you're ready to explore what’s really going on in your gut and how nutritional therapy can help, I’d love to chat