Kate Arnold Nutrition

Welcome to The Gut Clinic

Did you know that one in ten people visiting their GP will have some sort of digestive issue?; the most commonly diagnosed is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS symptoms can include bloating, wind, constipation, diarrhoea and cramps – some or all of these symptoms can be experienced. If symptoms are mild to moderate you may be prescribed anti spasmodic drugs or peppermint capsules which may go some way to alleviate symptoms but long term offer no solution and the patient can be left to wade through the maze of information on the internet. This in turn can lead to unnecessary elimination diets e.g. gluten free, lactose free, yeast free, sugar free or send them down unscientific paths to find answers.

IBS has many causes and it’s important to find out what is particular to you. We can rigorously assess your diet to look for clues as to why you may be experiencing these symptoms, however often people have extremely healthy diets and are still symptomatic which can be highly frustrating. This is where further testing is paramount. Tests carried out include; breath testing and stool testing and specific diets targeted to the condition may help lessen symptoms. There are also other reasons why you can suffer with bowel issues, these can include IBD’s (Inflammatory bowel disease) and/or bacterial issues, e.g. ulcerative colitis, crohns disease, coeliac disease, diverticular disease, lactose intolerance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and low levels of bifidus and lactobacillus bacterias.

With our hectic stressful lives, over use of antibiotics and poor western diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugar and low in soluble fibre and natural probiotics it is not surprising that these symptoms are on the increase.