Why your gut health is worth a closer look (and what to actually do about it)

You've probably Googled your gut at 11pm after another night of bloating and tiredness, wondering why you feel so off when you're eating "pretty well".

You're in good company, and it's exactly the kind of thing I love to dig into.

Gut, hormones, skin and mindset are closely connected, which is why I look at all 4 together.

Patterns I often see

Gut health looks different for everyone, and these are the patterns women often bring to their first consult with me:

• Bloating, especially after meals
• Foods that seem to bother you more than they used to
• Skin concerns, such as acne or eczema
• Tiredness that lingers, even after a good night's sleep
• Brain fog
• Changes in your cycle
• Stress and mood changes

If you're ticking a few of these boxes, your gut is worth a closer look.

What I ask about

Your gut has its own story, so in your first consult I ask about the everyday things that are part of it:

• What you eat in a typical week, including how much fibre and variety you get
• Stress, and how it shows up for you
• Sleep and energy
• Alcohol
• Any medication you take regularly (keep taking it as directed, and bring the details along)
• When things started, and what you've tried so far

Stress gets a proper look too, since mindset is 1 of the 4 pillars I work with.

Testing, if it's useful

Testing is always optional, and we decide on it together.

Where it could help, I may suggest comprehensive stool testing or microbiome mapping, which gives us a detailed picture of the bacteria living in your gut.

Functional pathology (blood tests) can add to the picture too.

That way, your plan is built on real information about you.

What working on your gut actually looks like

This is the part I enjoy most.

It starts with food.

A plant-rich, fibre-rich way of eating, with plenty of variety, is where I usually begin, with foods like:

• Dark leafy greens
• Legumes, such as lentils and chickpeas
• Whole grains
• Fermented foods, where they suit you
• Lots of colourful vegetables

For 1 easy, colourful addition, my gut health quickie on raspberries has a few ideas.

Then, depending on your results and where it suits you, your plan may include natural medicines, explained clearly.

We also work on whatever else is part of your picture, such as stress, sleep or a busy routine.

Every body responds in its own way, so your plan is built around you and reviewed as we go.

Where to start

Looking after your gut is about understanding what's going on for you, testing where it's useful, and working on it step by step.

My gut health page explains how I work, and if bloating is your main concern, my page on IBS and bloating goes into more detail.

I see clients through online consultations by Zoom, wherever they are in Australia, so you can start from your own couch.

When you're ready, book a first consult and we'll get to the guts of the matter together.