FAQs
What are the signs your gut microbiome is out of balance??
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Probably the most common reason people make an appointment to see me:
bloatingconstipation/diarrhoeaskin issuesfatigueanxietyfood intoleranceshormonal issues
Can gut health affect hormones?
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Yes — the gut and hormones are deeply connected. Supporting gut health can actually help improve hormone balance, because your digestive system and microbiome influence multiple hormone pathways.
Estrobolome: A specific group of gut bacteria helps recycle oestrogen. When this microbiome balance is disrupted, oestrogen processing and clearance can be affected, which may influence menstrual cycles, PMS, and menopausal symptoms.
PCOS links: Research shows the microbiome can affect inflammation, insulin signalling, and hormone balance, which are all key factors in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Thyroid function: Gut health affects nutrient absorption (iodine, selenium, iron, zinc), immune regulation, and inflammation — all critical for thyroid hormone production and metabolism.
Cortisol and stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the microbiome, and in turn, gut imbalance can influence the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, affecting cortisol regulation.
Inflammation: An imbalanced gut increases systemic inflammation, which can interfere with hormone signalling across the body.
Clinical insight: Your gut and hormones are constantly communicating. A healthy microbiome supports better oestrogen recycling, more balanced cortisol responses, improved thyroid function, and reduced inflammation — all of which help your hormones work more effectively. In practice, addressing gut health is often one of the fastest ways to support overall hormone balance and wellbeing.
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Why do I suddenly develop food intolerances as an adult?
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It can feel frustrating when foods you’ve always tolerated suddenly cause symptoms. Often, it comes down to changes in your gut environment and how your immune system interacts with food.
Microbiome imbalance: When your gut bacteria aren’t balanced, your digestion and immune response can shift.
Gut barrier changes: The gut lining and immune cells normally teach your body which foods are safe — damage or stress can make your system overreact.
Infections, antibiotics, or stress: These can disrupt your gut and trigger new sensitivities.
Hormonal shifts: Thyroid changes, menstrual cycles, or menopause can affect digestion and tolerance.
Clinical insight: A complete gut assessment — including microbiome testing, if indicated, food sensitivity testing and careful symptom tracking — helps us see what’s going on. If needed, targeted testing and elimination/reintroduction strategies can pinpoint which foods may need to be temporarily reduced, helping you get back to comfortable, happy digestion.
What is the difference between a food allergy, intolerance, and sensitivity?
What are the best natural ways to improve gut microbiome diversity?
Why does gut health affect mood and anxiety?
What are the most common causes of bloating?
What tests can help identify gut or microbiome problems?
This is a question I get asked all the time! It can be confusing because the terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually mean very different things.
Food Allergy: An immediate immune reaction (IgE). Symptoms show up within minutes to hours — think swelling, hives, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. Can be life-threatening. Confirmed with allergy testing.
Food Intolerance: Not an immune reaction — it’s a digestive issue. Caused by enzyme deficiencies or difficulty processing certain food chemicals like histamines or salicylates. Symptoms appear hours to days later: bloating, gas, diarrhoea, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, or rashes. Often dose-dependent.
Food Sensitivity: A delayed immune response (IgG/IgA), usually linked to gut inflammation. Symptoms show 6–72 hours later, making it tricky to identify the culprit: brain fog, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, eczema, or IBS-type issues. Can be picked up with a functional blood test.
Clinical insight: The key takeaway is simple — allergy = fast and severe; intolerance = digestive and subtle; sensitivity = delayed and inflammation-driven. It’s also possible to have more than one at the same time. My job as a practitioner is to figure out what’s really causing your symptoms so you can start feeling better.
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This is one of the questions I hear most! The good news? Supporting your gut microbiome doesn’t have to be complicated — it’s mostly about simple, consistent habits.
Fermented foods: Yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, or miso add beneficial microbes straight to your gut.
Colourful plant foods: Berries, olives, herbs, spices, green tea, and dark chocolate are full of polyphenols — the “favourite food” of good gut bacteria.
Lifestyle matters: Stress reduction and good sleep help your microbiome stay balanced and calm inflammation.
Prebiotic fibres: GOS (galactooligosaccharides) and FOS (fructooligosaccharides) feed the good bacteria and help them produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which support gut health and reduce inflammation.
Use antibiotics wisely: Only when necessary, as they can wipe out beneficial bacteria along with the bad.
Clinical insight: Think of your gut like a garden — the more variety you give it, the healthier it grows. Small daily habits, colourful plants, fermented foods, and a calm, well-rested body all help your gut microbes thrive, which in turn supports digestion, immunity, and even mood.
I get asked this one all the time! Your gut and brain are constantly chatting through what we call the gut–brain axis, so what’s happening in your gut can really affect how you feel.
Gut bacteria and neurotransmitters: Your microbiome produces serotonin, dopamine, and GABA — key chemicals that influence mood, motivation, and calmness.
Inflammation: An imbalanced gut can increase inflammation, which affects brain chemistry and can trigger low mood, anxiety, or brain fog.
Vagus nerve communication: This nerve links your gut and brain physically, so irritation or inflammation in the gut can directly influence stress and emotional responses.
Clinical insight: Keeping your gut healthy isn’t just about digestion — it’s about supporting your brain too. A balanced microbiome helps neurotransmitters work properly, reduces inflammation, and keeps gut–brain communication running smoothly. In practice, improving gut health often leads to noticeable improvements in mood and anxiety over time.
Bloating is one of the most common reasons people come to see me — and it’s not always just “something you ate.” In most cases, there’s an underlying digestive reason that can be identified and addressed.
Microbiome imbalance: When gut bacteria aren’t in the right balance, they can produce excess gas during digestion.
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth): Bacteria growing in the wrong part of the gut can ferment food too early, often causing bloating soon after eating.
Food intolerances or sensitivities: Difficulty breaking down certain foods can lead to gas, bloating, and discomfort hours later.
Low stomach acid or slow digestion: Poor breakdown of food or constipation allows gas and pressure to build up.
Hormonal shifts: For many women, changes during the menstrual cycle can slow digestion and temporarily increase bloating.
Clinical insight: In reality, bloating is rarely caused by just one factor. Most people have a combination of triggers — microbiome imbalances, digestive issues, food sensitivities, and hormones all interacting. The key is identifying the root causes so you can address them directly, rather than just masking the symptoms. A personalised approach usually leads to the most reliable and lasting relief.
If you’re dealing with ongoing digestive symptoms, it can feel frustrating not knowing what’s really going on. That’s where testing comes in — it helps us see the root cause instead of just guessing.
Microbiome stool testing: Gives a snapshot of your gut bacteria balance, digestive function, inflammation markers, and overall microbial behaviour.
Organic acids testing: Looks at metabolic byproducts in your urine to reveal microbial activity, nutrient status, and how key pathways in the body are functioning.
Breath testing for SIBO: Helps detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, a common source of bloating and gas.
Basic blood markers: Useful for checking inflammation, nutrient levels, and other factors influencing gut health.
Detailed clinical history: Often the most valuable tool — understanding your symptoms, diet, stress, and health history provides critical clues.
Clinical insight: In practice, there’s rarely a single test that tells the whole story. I usually combine the right functional tests with a careful review of your history and lifestyle. It’s this combination that allows us to piece together the gut health puzzle, identify the real drivers of symptoms, and create a personalised plan that actually works. Testing isn’t about lab numbers alone — it’s about getting the full picture so you can finally start feeling better.
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How do hormones affect digestion and the gut microbiome?
Hormones have a much bigger impact on digestion than most people realise. In clinic, I often see gut symptoms start to improve once we pay attention to the hormone–gut connection.
Oestrogen: Influences gut motility — how quickly food moves through the digestive tract. Shifts across the menstrual cycle can affect digestion and even the balance of your gut microbiome.
Progesterone: Slows digestion, which is why bloating or constipation is more common in the second half of the cycle or during pregnancy.
Stress hormones (cortisol): Chronic stress can alter gut bacteria balance, increase sensitivity, and promote inflammation.
Thyroid hormones: Help regulate metabolism and digestive motility. Low thyroid function often shows up as sluggish digestion or constipation.
Clinical insight: What I often explain to patients is that gut symptoms aren’t always about what you eat. The hormonal environment — whether it’s sex hormones, thyroid, or stress hormones — plays a big role in how your gut functions. Looking at digestion and hormones together gives a much clearer picture and often leads to faster, more lasting improvements in gut health.