If you’re struggling with IBS, working with a Nutritionist can be incredibly helpful. Despite your best efforts, you may find that your symptoms persist, and seeking professional help can be a game-changer. A Nutritionist can assist you in developing a personalised nutrition plan that takes into account your unique needs and goals. A Nutritionist can also help you identify any nutrient deficiencies and address any underlying medical issues that may be impacting your digestive health.

In addition to providing nutritional guidance, a Nutritionist can offer recommendations on supplements and lifestyle choices that can impact your overall health, such as managing stress and getting enough sleep.

Book an appointment today if you feel like you need more assistance or direction to reach your goals. Online consultation with a Nutritionist is available for clients who live outside the London area or who are unable to come to my office in Harley Street, Central London. You can enjoy the online consultation from the comfort of your home or office and you will be given the same level of personal attention and care that you would experience coming to see me in my Harley Street office.

What is the root cause? It depends on the individual person. IBS is a multi-factorial disorder and it can have multiple root causes. They may include:

• Eating highly processed, low-fibre diet
• Low water intake
• Altered gut flora (dysbiosis): Dysbiosis happens when the bad bugs in your gut take over. People with imbalance of GI bacteria are more prone to symptoms of IBS (2). Dysbiosis is common due to overuse of antibiotics, as well as alcohol, high sugar diet and stress. Healthy gut flora contributes to production of amino acids, certain vitamins, as well as neurotransmitters, such as your happy hormone serotonin.
• Food sensitivities and intolerances: IBS sufferers often report sensitivity to certain foods, commonly to certain carbohydrates (especially foods containing gluten), as well as certain fats (3,4). Lactose intolerance is also a common cause of IBS and it can be diagnosed by simple breath test.
• Stress: Those under a lot of stress, as well people suffering from anxiety and depression are more prone to experience IBS symptoms (5). Our gut is also called a “second brain” and many IBS sufferers link their emotions and stress levels to worsening of the symptoms.
• SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: a condition characterised by abnormal overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. It is estimated that up to 84% of IBS sufferers have SIBO (6). Most of the gut bacteria is meant to be located in the large intestine, where they help to break down food, synthesize vitamins, and eliminate waste. In SIBO these healthy bacteria colonise the small intestine. People with SIBO will have excess levels of hydrogen, methane or both, and it can be diagnosed by hydrogen and methane breath test (7).
• Increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut syndrome”): Studies have also shown an association between IBS and increased intestinal permeability (8). The gut lining is like a net with extremely small holes to allow certain substances to pass through. In a leaky gut those holes become bigger allowing undigested food particles, proteins, toxins and bad bacteria to pass through. An unhealthy gut lining makes it harder for digestion to work at optimal level.
• Gut infections: Certain gut infections have been associated with IBS. For example intestinal parasites such as Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis, as well as food poisoning caused by Campylobacter bacteria may trigger IBS (9,10).
• Lack of exercise: Exercise is crucial for the functioning of your digestive system. If you are inactive, so will be your digestion. On the other hand, if you are active, your digestion will follow.

References

(1) Agrawal, Whorwell. Irritable bowel syndrome: diagnosis and management. BMJ. 2006; 332: 280-83.

(2) Kassinen A, Krogius-Kurikka L, Mäkivuokko H, et al.  The fecal microbiota of irritable bowel syndrome patients differs significantly from that of healthy subjects. Gastroenterology. 2007;133(1):24.

(3) Simrén M, Månsson A, Langkilde AM, et al.  Food-related gastrointestinal symptoms in the irritable bowel syndrome. Digestion. 2001;63(2):108.

(4) Pasquale Mansueto, Alberto D’Alcamo, Aurelio Seidita, et al. Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome: The case of non-celiac wheat sensitivity. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jun 21; 21(23): 7089–7109.

(5) Nicholl BI, Halder SL, Macfarlane GJ, et al.  Psychosocial risk markers for new onset irritable bowel syndrome–results of a large prospective population-based study. Pain. 2008;137(1):147.

(6) Pimentel M¹, Chow EJ, Lin HC. Eradication of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Dec;95(12):3503-6.

(7) Jan Bures, Jiri Cyrany, Darina Kohoutova et al. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2010 Jun 28; 16(24): 2978–2990.

(8) Camilleri M¹, Madsen K, Spiller R, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B et. al., Intestinal barrier function in health and gastrointestinal disease. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Jun;24(6):503-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2012.01921.x.

(9) Stark D¹, van Hal S, Marriott D, Ellis J et al., Irritable bowel syndrome: a review on the role of intestinal protozoa and the importance of their detection and diagnosis. Int J Parasitol. 2007 Jan;37(1):11-20. Epub 2006 Oct 12.

(10) Swan C¹, Duroudier NP, Campbell E et al., Identifying and testing candidate genetic polymorphisms in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): association with TNFSF15 and TNFα. Gut. 2013 Jul;62(7):985-94. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301213. Epub 2012 Jun

Milena Kaler is a is a qualified London Nutritionist, stubborn weight loss, sports nutrition, digestive health, as well as autoimmune disease nutrition specialist. She is trained in the principles of Functional Medicine and practices from her clinic in Central London, Harley Street, as well as providing online consultations.

Milena has helped thousands of people to lose weight and keep it off. Scientific and holistic in approach Milena looks at all aspects of a client’s health. She embraces a systems-oriented approach aiming to get to the root cause of health and weight issues instead of simply focusing on the symptoms.

Milena’s expertise has been sought by celebrities, and she has been featured as a nutrition expert in reputable magazines including Women’s Health, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Women’s Fitness, Peak Brain Training, and Metro.

As a full member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT), and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the only register for Nutritional Therapy recognised by the government and NHS, Milena is committed to upholding their strict Code of Ethics. Additionally, Milena is a member of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology (PCSG).

Milena sees patients with chronic health conditions, as well as clients looking for support to optimise their health. Some of the areas Milena can help with include: weight loss, digestive, and hormonal health.

Milena sees every person as an individual with different problems and different goals. She takes time to listen to her clients’ specific concerns to develop customised nutrition and lifestyle plans, based on laboratory test results. Having overcome her own chronic health and weight loss issues, Milena really understands how it is to feel overwhelmed by poor health and can relate to her clients when they first come to see her.