How to regain your sense of calm

Palpitations, a dry mouth, sweating, insomnia are just some of the unmistakable signs of anxiety. Everyone has experienced these symptoms at some point in their life. Who hasn't felt stage fright before a presentation, hyperventilated before an exam or spent a sleepless night before their dental appointment? 

Under normal circumstances, you get through the situation in question unscathed, and life goes on. However, it is very different for people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Patients with this condition experience virtually no relief or respite because their anxiety is unrelated to a specific situation or event and is – objectively – unfounded. There is no single challenge to get through and move on. Their anxiety goes on constantly, from one situation to the next, and the next, and the next ... 

Although anxiety disorders were common even before the COVID pandemic, the stress of lockdowns and worry about our own health and that of loved ones, our jobs and our financial security has sent numbers surging. A team of researchers at the University of Manchester are currently looking into this. Although the work is still ongoing, they predict that mental health problems will continue to be affected by the pandemic for years to come.

So, where does nutrition come into it? At first glance, it may seem preposterous to say that diet influences how we feel; but think about it: In the cold, hard light of science, feelings are chemistry! Of course, in the first instance, it is our environment, our experiences, and to an extent, our personality that makes us feel the way we feel. 

But our feelings of fear, anger, overwhelm or love and confidence trigger the release of hormones in our body, which is where chemistry kicks in. We need the happy hormone serotonin and the pleasure hormone dopamine to feel good, the sleep hormone melatonin to sleep, the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol for our get-up-and-go and to fight or flee when we’re under threat. Hormones work in unison with each other. Some hormones suppress others; some trigger the release of others. But for these feedback mechanisms to work, for our body to even be able to manufacture the chemicals that we need, we must supply the raw materials they are made of. 

Those raw materials are fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients – nutrients. What’s more, even our friendly gut bacteria contribute to how we feel by extracting more nutrients from our food for us, manufacturing some, such as short-chain fatty acids, from scratch and even providing some ready-made serotonin! So, if you think of feelings that way, what we eat is bound to have a massive impact on how we feel and how we cope with the challenges life throws at us. 

Don't get me wrong; I’m not saying that diet will cure an anxiety disorder. However, if we try and fuel our body with poor quality food that does not provide the building blocks of the hormones and catalysts our brain chemistry requires, we’ll have a much harder time overcoming mental health issues. 

So, what are these nutrients our body needs, particularly when we are anxious? 

Magnesium is often referred to as ‘nature’s tranquiliser’ – which hints at just how crucial this mineral is for supporting balanced mood, relaxation and deep sleep. One reason why magnesium helps us cope with anxiety might be that it plays a role in nerve transmission. The mineral is not even hard to find. There’s some in most foods, particularly in green leafy vegetables – think broccoli, spinach, kale, and watercress – but also in grains, such as brown rice, buckwheat and quinoa, nuts and seeds, or fish and seafood. Despite this, deficiency is common, which may have something to do with our penchant for convenience and junk foods that are just not as nutritious as real food. 

A 2019 study found that the amino acid L-theanine might help manage anxiety and support a balanced stress response. L-theanine is found in green tea. It increases the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has calming, anti-anxiety effects. The amino acid also raises dopamine and the creation of alpha waves in the brain. This is because l-theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects our brain from unwanted and harmful substances. The high intake of green tea by Buddhist monks may contribute to their famously calm demeanour and intense focus during meditation. If you want to give green tea a try, be sure to choose an organic one to reduce your exposure to pesticides and other toxins, which have been found to disrupt the brain’s stress circuitry.

The authors of a 2020 research review agree that the role of nutrition in the management of mental health disorders is underestimated. They reviewed the existing research into omega-3 fats in connection with anxiety and found that this type of fat is critical for brain health and has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms. As vegan diets are becoming more popular, it is important to note that omega-3 fats from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil or walnut oil, does not cover our daily requirements, let alone achieve therapeutic levels. The omega-3s these foods contain are inferior to the ones we need: EPA and DHA. Although the body can make those long-chain fatty acids can from plant-source omega-3 (alpha-linoleic acid or ALA), the conversion is sluggish and easily disrupted. Only about 5 per cent get converted. If you are vegan, do not like fish, or are allergic to it, your diet alone will cover your needs. I recommend finding a good-quality supplement with omega-3 from marine sources (i. e., algae), which is the only vegan source of DHA. 

When talking about anxiety and nutrition, we must not neglect the role of the microbiota, the friendly bacteria in our gut. The majority of available research studies in 2019 showed that it is beneficial to give our gut bacteria some TLC. Interestingly, “non-probiotic interventions were more effective than the probiotic” ones.

That suggests that just popping a probiotic capsule may not be enough – and that’s no surprise, really. Don't get me wrong; probiotics are beneficial; there is no doubt about that. However, their contents – live bacteria, e. g. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species – are not going to settle in the gut. They are only travelling through, and while doing so, they help create a bacteria-friendly climate and temporarily crowd out undesirable microbes. But really, they are only lending a helping hand to our own, indigenous bacteria. Those are the ones that are at home there, and those are the ones that can protect our gut, feed our brain, improve our mood, and keep us healthy. 

You can look after your friendly bacteria by giving them real food, especially fibre-rich plant foods, including vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, pulses, whole grains, herbs, and spices. Variety is key here. While probiotics – especially in the form of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, live yoghurt, kefir and kombucha – are great, prebiotics – fibre – are even better. We still need to learn much more about all the different microbes living in our guts, but what we do know is that the more different species we have, the healthier we are. How do we cultivate a variety of species? By keeping our diets interesting! Different microbes have different preferences. By varying what we eat, we are creating a desirable place for them to live. 

To keep everyone happy, it is also essential to avoid what harms the microbiota. Alcohol acts like a weedkiller on your internal garden. Food additives reduce a protective type of antibody called secretory immunoglobulin A (or sIgA, for short), and emulsifiers are particularly damaging for the gut. Sugar promotes yeast overgrowth, which can overwhelm the beneficial bacteria and make it difficult for them to adhere to the gut wall. For more on how to look after your gut microbiota, check out my blog post on the subject.

Of course, although hugely important, diet is not everything. Lifestyle factors, too, play a crucial role in mental health. It will come as no surprise that it is worth reducing stress as much possible if you suffer from anxiety. Interestingly, stress also damages the microbiota and interferes with the conversion of omega-3 fatty acids – among many other things, so just getting on top of stress will do you a whole lot of good. 

I know that that is easier said than done, but there is a shedload of information on stress management on the internet, ranging from relaxation techniques, such as meditation or breathing exercises, to self-care and me-time tips. Or you can join this month’s self-care challenge.

So, as you can see, you don’t have to take anxiety attacks lying down. There is a lot that you can do to avoid them or to aid your recovery. And you can always gets in touch to book a free call with me to discuss how nutritional therapy can help you - just click here. 

Your daily habits could be wrecking your mental health - here’s how to fix them

The way you start and structure your day plays a huge role in your mental wellbeing. Small, seemingly harmless habits - like checking your phone first thing or skipping breakfast - can set off a chain reaction that affects your mood, energy, and stress levels.

The good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire life to see improvements. Simple, strategic tweaks can have a big impact, helping you feel calmer, more in control, and more resilient to daily stress.

The stress loop - how modern life is making you more anxious

For many people, stress feels like a normal part of life. But modern habits are keeping stress levels high, even when there’s no immediate reason to feel anxious.

Cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, follows a daily rhythm, naturally rising in the morning and tapering off at night. But common lifestyle choices - poor sleep, irregular eating, excessive screen time - disrupt this rhythm, leading to chronic stress and low resilience.

Erratic blood sugar levels can also play a role. When meals are skipped or loaded with refined carbs, blood sugar spikes and crashes, triggering cortisol release and creating a cycle of energy dips, cravings, and mood swings.

Breaking free from this loop means taking a closer look at your own daily habits and making small but powerful adjustments.

How your morning routine could be ruining your mood

Morning habits set the tone for the entire day. Some of the most common ones can actually increase stress levels, making it harder to stay focused, productive, and emotionally balanced.

• Phone before food - scrolling through emails or social media first thing in the morning spikes cortisol, putting the body into stress mode before the day has even begun.
• Caffeine on an empty stomach - coffee first thing might feel like a quick energy boost, but without food, it can cause a blood sugar crash later in the morning, affecting mood and focus.
• Skipping protein at breakfast - protein provides the building blocks for neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. A low-protein breakfast (or skipping breakfast entirely) can leave you feeling sluggish and irritable.
• Lack of daylight exposure - natural light helps regulate the body’s internal clock and supports serotonin production, essential for mood and sleep. Spending the first hours of the day indoors can throw off this natural balance.

Making simple changes to the morning routine can help stabilise energy, improve focus, and set the stage for a calmer, more productive day.

5 daily habits that will boost your brain and lift your mood

1. Get light before screens - exposure to natural light in the morning helps regulate cortisol and serotonin levels. Stepping outside for five to ten minutes shortly after waking can improve mood, energy, and sleep quality. If you have time for a walk, that’s great. Even sitting outside with your morning cuppa will work.
2. Eat within an hour of waking - a balanced breakfast with protein, healthy fats, and fibre helps keep blood sugar steady, reducing mid-morning energy crashes and irritability. The stress hormone cortisol is naturally higher in the morning. Extending a fast until later in the morning – particularly if you’re already stressed – will cancel any positive gains you think you’re getting.
3. Move more, but gently - exercise is beneficial for mental health, but intense workouts can raise cortisol levels if the body is already under stress. Low-impact movement, like walking or stretching, can be a better choice for stress resilience.
4. Prioritise protein and healthy fats - protein-rich foods help produce two of the important brain chemicals that support mental wellbeing, dopamine and serotonin, while healthy fats support brain health and inflammation control. Good choices include eggs, nuts, seeds, oily fish, and avocado.
5. Set a wind-down boundary - evening habits influence how well the body handles stress the next day. Limiting screen time, dimming lights in the evening, and avoiding late-night work can support better sleep and stress regulation.

Small changes, big impact

Improving mental wellbeing doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Focusing on small, sustainable habit shifts, such as getting more natural light, stabilising blood sugar, and setting healthy boundaries with screens, can make a noticeable difference in how you feel.

Trying just one of these habits for a week can be enough to see positive changes. The key is consistency over perfection. Making small but intentional choices each day can help break the stress cycle, improve resilience, and support long-term mental wellbeing. 

So where will you start? What jumps out at you?

Spotlight on IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a problem I see so often in clinic, and it is problematic on many different levels. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, you may well have been suffering with it for years and, while a diagnosis can – at first– offer comfort in finally having a recognised problem, the satisfaction is short lived because often that’s where all support ends, and you’re left no further forward in actually fixing what the problem is. 

The difficulty begins because IBS is essentially meaningless; it’s a catch-all term used to encompass a huge variety of digestive issues. If you’re serious about getting to the bottom of the problem (no pun intended), I’m happy to discuss your symptoms and help find a way forward. You can book a free IBS health check with me by clicking here.

In my experience, it’s likely to be one of the following five conditions.

1 SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)

Around 60% of people with IBS will have SIBO. Though you might have heard about good (and bad) bacteria in the gut, really what experts are talking about is the balance of bacteria in the large intestine: the colon. 

The small intestine shouldn’t have any bacteria, and each day the body should perform a flush to sweep bacteria from the small intestine and into the large intestine. This flush is called the ‘migrating motor complex’. For a huge variety of reasons (historic food poisoning being the most common, but also low levels of stomach acid or adhesions play a role, among others) the bacteria are not swept away. 

The trouble is that these bacteria can ferment the food in your small intestine, causing gas, belching, bloating, pain and a variety of other symptoms, including constipation and/or loose stools, and even anxiety. A breath test can establish which gases are present, and we can devise an action plan based on your results. 

2 Lactose intolerance

This is when your body is not able to tolerate lactose, a type of sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products. Essentially, bacteria in your intestine feed on these milk sugars, leading to a host of IBS symptoms, like bloating and gas, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea. 

It can go hand in hand with other digestive complaints, such as coeliac disease or increased intestinal permeability (‘leaky gut’). Lactose intolerance can be diagnosed via a simple at-home breath test. 

3 Fructose malabsorption

The symptoms are very similar to lactose intolerance. Fructose (which is found in fruit, honey and many processed foods) is a sugar, which, like lactose, is digested in the small intestine. 

Some people cannot absorb fructose, and what is not absorbed is fermented by intestinal bacteria, causing bloating, cramping, gas and distension of the stomach. You might also experience brain fog and headaches. A breath test will diagnose the condition. 

4 Dysbiosis

This is an imbalance in the levels of beneficial (good) and pathogenic (bad) bacteria in the large intestine or colon. 

This is now common due to overuse of antibiotics and alcohol, an increase in high sugar diets, and stress. 

Symptoms can vary from a sluggish bowel or diarrhoea, pain, bloating and flatulence, to chronic bad breath, joint pain, fatigue and food sensitivities. 

Dysbiosis is also implicated in a variety of health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and obesity. A stool test can help establish whether your gut bacteria are out of balance, along with a host of other markers that might be useful in getting to the root of your digestive problems. 

 

5 Yeast overgrowth

Where the gut environment becomes out of balance (due to dysbiosis), yeast can thrive. Diets high in sugar feed the yeast – although if you think you might have a yeast overgrowth, it’s worth noting that long-term yeast problems can mean that the yeast cells are pathogenic or disease causing, and that the yeast has switched its metabolism to also be able to digest protein and fat. 

Symptoms of yeast overgrowth include recurring thrush, gas or bloating, fatigue, bad breath, cravings for sweet foods, joint pain and brain fog. 

A stool test can establish the presence of candida or other yeast overgrowth. 

Some people struggle with digestive problems for years. If you are ready to make fixing your gut health a priority, I would love to work with you. Please click the link here to book your free IBS health check now. 

 

Superboost Sesame Salad

A quick and easy fibre-filled salad just perfect for weekday lunches, and perfect for feeding your friendly bacteria!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 x 400g can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 celery sticks, finely chopped

6 pieces of marinated artichoke hearts, roughly chopped

6 spring onions, finely chopped

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

½ lemon, juiced

¼ bag watercress

¼ bag baby leaf spinach

Handful of basil leaves

Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle

Extra lemon to serve

Method:

• Mix the top set of ingredients together in a bowl. 
• Serve on a bed of watercress and spinach and scatter with basil, a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Enjoy!

How to improve the health of your microbiome

While there are a number of factors that can contribute to your microbiome, such as your environment, infections or illnesses, food poisoning exercise, diet is one of the most powerful factors.  Here are some foods which are really good for supporting your microbiome:

FIBRE

Fibre is one of the best things to eat to support healthy digestion. Fibre is described as either insoluble or soluble.

Insoluble fibre is part of the plant wall in fruit and veg. It’s indigestible so it passes right through your system, sweeping up toxins and other waste products as it goes, and keeping you regular. The undigested fibre is also fermented by gut bacteria, producing the beneficial short chain fatty acids I mentioned earlier. 

You can find insoluble fibre in:

·      Fruit and veg

·      Beans and lentils

·      Oats

·      Wholegrain foods like brown rice and wheat

 

Soluble fibre can be partially digested and is well-celebrated for its ability to reduce cholesterol in the blood and normalise blood sugar levels.

You can find soluble fibre in:

·      Oats

·      Veg 

·      Fruit (especially apples, pears, berries and citrus fruits)

·      Beans and lentils

 

FERMENTED FOODS 

Fermented foods have a long tradition in some parts of the world, especially Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Bacteria (and sometimes beneficial yeasts) might be involved in the process and the result is an increase of good bacteria in the foods. 

You’ve probably heard of live or ‘bio’ yoghurt. Some of these other probiotic foods might sound peculiar and a little ‘advanced’ for most regular people. However, they are now commonly found on supermarket shelves (you’ll find them in the world foods aisle where the Oriental products are) and, while they might not be the kind of product you would usually go for, it is always worth experimenting. 

Kimchi, in particular, is often combined with chilli and other flavours and is far tastier than its name might suggest. 

•       Yoghurt

•       Pickles (gherkins)

•       Sauerkraut

•       Kimchi (fermented cabbage)

•       Tempeh (fermented soya beans)

•       Natto (fermented soya beans) 

•       Miso soup (fermented soya beans) 

•       Tamari soy sauce. 

•       Buttermilk

•       Some cheeses like cottage cheese, gouda, mozzarella & cheddar.

 

Fermented drinks

Like other fermented products, these were once only found in health food shops and were perhaps the prevail of people who ate a very clean and unprocessed diet. These were a secret waiting for the masses to discover. Often flavoured with fruits, they really are delicious and do not taste ‘worthy’. You’ll find them in the chilled drinks section in most supermarkets.

•       Kombucha (fermented tea – sweet and fizzy but without sugar) 

•       Kefir (fermented dairy drink very much like a yoghurt drink).

The only way you’ll know if it’s for you is to try!

 

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES

These smelly veg bring amazing health benefits on a number of different levels. Since we’re talking about foods that are helpful for your digestion, you should know that they contain compounds called glucosinolates, which are fermented by bacteria and used as fuel. They are prebiotic. 

Examples are:

Bok choy

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Kale 

Rocket

Spring greens

Watercress

 

ANTI-MICROBIAL FOODS

Some foods exert a natural antibiotic or anti-fungal effect and can be useful for keeping nasties like pathogenic bacteria or unwelcome yeasts at bay. 

These include caprylic acid found in coconut. Coconut oil is also a very good oil to use in cooking, especially at high temperatures. 

Garlic contains the ingredient allicin, which has historically proven itself to be an effective killer of both bacteria and viruses, making it a great immune-boosting ingredient. Use it raw wherever possible.

Olive oil – the oleic acid has anti-bacterial properties. Use it generously to dress salads and veg.

 

WHAT TO AVOID

In the same way there are things your digestive system loves, there are things it will not love you for. 

Sugar. That’s the number one thing to avoid, plus anything that contains added sugar. 

Other things your tummy is not fond of include highly refined products like white rice, pasta, pastry and snacks like crisps and biscuits.

And if you'd like to know further, why not book a free call? You can book in here.

The “Microbiome” - Master Controller of your Health

Do you ever stop to think about the bustling community inside you, one that plays a vital role in your health and wellbeing? I'm not talking about a trendy neighbourhood or a bustling city. I'm referring to your microbiome – the busy metropolis of microorganisms that call your body home sweet home. Unless you have digestive problems, you probably don’t normally give this a second’s thought - but you should. 

The “microbiome” is the guardian of your health, and your gut environment could be the reason you have anxiety or low mood, painful periods, terrible menopause symptoms, or difficulty losing weight.

What is the microbiome?

Think of it as your very own ecosystem, but on a microscopic scale. It's made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic critters that live in various parts of your body, from your gut to your skin and everything in between.

You might be thinking, "bacteria? That doesn't sound healthy’. Although we used to hearing about bacteria as the bad guys, not all bacteria are bad.  In fact, many of them are crucial for keeping you in good health. They help with digestion (of course), support your immune system, and even play a role in regulating your mood, hunger levels, sleep, stress and hormones. 

That’s because what happens in the gut doesn’t stay in the gut. 

The microbiome and mental health

There is a constant two-way communication with your brain and your digestive system. In my world, we call it the gut-brain axis. It’s been the subject of a lot of research in the last decade and there is increasing evidence that your gut bacteria heavily influence your mood. 

Your gut bacteria make chemicals that affect your brain. They produce neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that help transmit signals in the brain. One of these neurotransmitters is serotonin, often referred to as the "happy hormone" because it plays a crucial role in regulating mood and emotions.

A whopping 90% of your body's serotonin is produced in your gut. The balance of bacteria in your gut can directly impact your serotonin levels, and subsequently, your mood. When you have a healthy and diverse microbiome, it's like having a team of cheerful little helpers churning out serotonin to keep your spirits high.

But here's where it gets interesting: your brain can speed up your gut (very simply, how quickly food moves through your body) and change what microbes are present.

And when your gut bacteria are out of whack, it can throw this delicate balance off-kilter. Imbalances in the microbiome have been linked to conditions like depression and anxiety. 

The microbiome and immunity

If you’re the kind of person who catches every bug going, consider this might be down to what’s happening in your gut. The microbiome and your immune system are heavily linked.

Imagine your immune system as your body's very own security team, constantly on the lookout for intruders and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The microbiome plays a crucial role in training and coordinating this defence force.

The bacteria are like the teachers in an elite military academy, helping to educate and train your immune cells to distinguish between friend and foe. Your gut bacteria also produce molecules called metabolites, which act as messengers in the intricate dance between your microbiome and your immune system. These metabolites help regulate the activity of your immune cells, ensuring they respond appropriately to threats without going overboard and causing inflammation.

Inflammation is a bit like setting off a fire alarm – it's a necessary response to danger, but too much of it can cause chaos and damage. Luckily, your gut bacteria are there to keep things in check, helping to maintain a delicate balance between fighting off invaders and keeping the peace within your body.

But the relationship between your microbiome and your immune system is a two-way street. Your immune system also plays a crucial role in shaping the composition of your microbiome, keeping the peace by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and keeping harmful bacteria in check.

The microbiome and your hormones

Your gut bacteria aren't just masters of digestion and immunity; they also have a hand in regulating your hormones. One of the key players is cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone".

When you're feeling stressed out, your body releases cortisol to help you cope with the situation. Your gut bacteria can influence the production and regulation of cortisol, potentially shaping how your body responds to stress.

Certain types of gut bacteria can affect the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, a complex network of hormones involved in the stress response. By producing metabolites that interact with this system, your gut bacteria can influence the production and regulation of cortisol, potentially impacting how your body responds to stressors.

But that's not all – your gut bacteria can also influence other hormones, like insulin, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that imbalances in the microbiome can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where your cells become less responsive to insulin, potentially leading to high blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes.

The microbiome and female hormone health

One of the hormones especially affected by gut health is oestrogen, one of the main female hormones. In fact, there is a collection of specialised bacteria in the microbiome called the “oestrobolome”. The oestrobolome contains, among other things, the bacteria responsible for breaking down and eliminating hormones, principally oestrogen. 

In short, the microbiome plays a key role in oestrogen metabolism, so an imbalance in healthy bacteria can result in too much or too little circulating oestrogen, which can lead to an imbalance between oestrogen and other hormones. This can have a knock-on effect on your weight, sex drive and your mood.

For healthy oestrogen levels, you want optimal levels of an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. If levels of this enzyme are too high, oestrogen that might have been marked for excretion gets reactivated, potentially leading to too much oestrogen in relation to other hormones (unopposed oestrogen or oestrogen dominance). This can create a range of problems ranging from PMS, infertility, obesity and metabolic syndrome, and oestrogen-related cancers.

The microbiome and your skin

Your skin is your body's largest organ and serves as a vital barrier between you and the outside world. And just like your gut, your skin is home to a bustling community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that make up your skin microbiome.

Again, bacteria on your skin might sound like a recipe for disaster but the vast majority of these microbes are harmless or even beneficial, playing essential roles in maintaining healthy skin.

One of the skin microbiome's primary functions is to act as a barrier against harmful pathogens, preventing them from invading your body and causing infections. When your skin microbiome is in balance, it helps keep your skin healthy and resilient, warding off pesky invaders like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Your skin microbiome isn't just a passive bystander; it actively interacts with your immune system, helping to educate and train immune cells to distinguish between friend and foe. Studies have shown that imbalances in the skin microbiome can lead to inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, suggesting that maintaining a diverse and balanced microbiome is crucial for healthy skin.

When the microbiome misbehaves

Any disruption to the microbiome may result in an imbalance in the microbiota leading to ‘dysbiosis’. Dysbiosis means:

• A loss or lack of friendly bacteria
• Overgrowth of potentially pathogenic (bad) bacteria
• Loss of overall bacterial diversity

When your gut health gets imbalanced and dysbiosis happens, you’re more likely to have stomach and other health issues. These conditions can include:  

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Cardiovascular problems 
• Anxiety and low mood

Typical symptoms of dysbiosis include:

• Wind and gas pain
• Bloating
• Poor digestion and reflux
• Lower abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea and/or constipation

Testing can be invaluable in finding out what is happening with your microbiome. A comprehensive stool test can map out your microbiome, detailing friendly bacteria, and potentially pathogenic bacteria, funguses or parasites. If you’d like to know more, why not get in touch? Just book a link here.