Gut Health Nutritionist

Gut Health Nutritionist

The human gut is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that are crucial for our health. These microbes, which include bacteria, fungi, and viruses, are often misunderstood as only causing diseases, but many of them are actually essential for our well-being. Your body hosts trillions of these beneficial microbes.

These microorganisms are vital for several key functions: they help develop the immune system, digest fibres, produce energy, eliminate toxins, regulate hormones, and synthesize vitamins and neurotransmitters. They also defend against harmful pathogens. Supporting gut health is central to my approach at Timea Kiss Nutritional Therapy.

Conditions Linked to Gut Health

Poor gut health can lead to various conditions beyond common digestive issues like constipation and diarrhoea:
• Unexplained Weight Gain: Research suggests that the microbial diversity in the gut differs between overweight and lean individuals, affecting appetite and eating behaviours.
• Skin Issues: Poor gut health can significantly impact skin function and its microbial balance.
• Mood Swings, Depression, Anxiety: The gut microbiome influences mental well-being through the gut-brain axis.
• Brain Fog and Memory Problems: There's a connection between our gut microbiome and brain function.
• Sleep Disturbances: Most of the body's serotonin, which affects mood and sleep, is produced in the gut. Gut damage can disrupt sleep.
• Recurring Infections: Since 80% of our immune system is in the gut, maintaining gut health is key to preventing frequent infections.
• Food Allergies and Sensitivities: Changes in the gut microbiota can lead to new food intolerances.
• Low Energy and Fatigue: Chronic fatigue has been linked to an imbalance in gut bacteria.

Gut Health Nutritionist

Testing Gut Health

At our clinic, we typically use two main tests to assess gut health:
• Breath Test: This non-invasive test measures hydrogen and methane gases to diagnose Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) using glucose or lactulose.
• Stool Test: Depending on the issue, different levels of stool tests can be conducted. A comprehensive test analyses gut bacteria, yeast, fungi, parasites, and markers of inflammation, immune function, and digestive health. The most accurate tests use PCR-DNA analysis.

How to Assess Your Gut Health

Understanding Gut Health
Your gut health depends on a balanced mix of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that make up your microbiome. When this balance is disrupted (a condition known as dysbiosis), harmful bacteria and other pathogens can thrive. These harmful organisms ferment the food you eat, producing toxic substances that damage the gut lining and create an environment conducive to parasitic growth.
Identifying Gut Issues
By conducting the right gut health tests, we can determine which bacteria have overgrown, where they have overgrown, and the extent of the damage. This information helps us choose the best foods, probiotics, herbs, and supplements to restore a healthy balance in your gut.
Signs of Gut Imbalance
You have about 500-1000 different species of bacteria in your digestive tract. While many are beneficial, some can be harmful and disrupt the balance. Modern lifestyle factors such as stress, poor sleep, processed foods, and antibiotics can damage gut health. Symptoms of an unhealthy gut include:
• Skin problems
• Unexplained weight gain
• Brain fog and poor memory
• Low energy and sluggish metabolism
• Recurring infections
• Mood swings and depression
• Sleep disturbances

Testing Gut Health

Gut Health Nutritionist

Testing Gut Health

Stool Testing
Stool testing is one of the most comprehensive ways to assess gut health. It measures levels of good and bad bacteria, yeast (like candida), parasites, H. pylori, and markers for inflammation, immune function, and digestion. At Timea Kiss Nutritional Therapy, I select the best stool tests, such as:
• GI EcologiX by Invivo Laboratories
• GI 360 by Regenerus Laboratories
• GI Effects by Genova Diagnostics
These tests provide detailed insights into your gut health, and I recommend the most suitable test after an initial consultation and sometimes during the FREE 30 minute Health Review.
SIBO Testing
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when bacteria in the gut proliferate in the small intestine, producing gases like methane and hydrogen from carbohydrate fermentation. This can cause various gut-related health issues. The SIBO test is a simple, non-invasive breath test that measures these gases, often using glucose and/or lactulose as substrates.
Comprehensive Testing
A comprehensive stool test offers extensive markers that provide insights into your overall gastrointestinal health, including gut integrity, immunity, enzyme function, and the balance of beneficial and harmful microbes. The SIBO test focuses specifically on the small intestine.

At Timea Kiss Nutritional Therapy, I use the functional medicine model to determine the root cause of illness, considering genetics, environment, and lifestyle to address patterns of dysfunction and imbalance.
Personalised Approach.

Bacteria in the microbiome are not simply "good" or "bad." Their role in health or illness depends on their abundance and relationships within the ecosystem. A healthy microbiome for one person may not be healthy for another. Therefore, I interpret test results in context, looking for patterns and how the ecosystem affects the host's health. This holistic approach is the most effective way to address gut issues.

Getting Tested

The type of test you need depends on your specific situation. Gut health conditions are complex, so testing methods and therapy plans will vary. Contact me for a complimentary discovery call to discuss your health concerns and find the right approach for you.

NHS Testing

Comprehensive gut health tests are not currently available on the NHS, as primary healthcare does not generally accept that gut health influences chronic diseases. If your doctor suspects a specific gut condition or infection, they may refer you for specific tests. However, for a thorough gut health assessment, private stool tests are the only option.

Get In Touch

If you are worried about your gut health and would like to speak with someone, then I can help you.
Please Contact Me and I will reply as soon as possible.

We can organise a FREE 30 Minute Health Review.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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