"I feel like a new woman, I thought I'd have gut problems for life!”

Words DR LIZ ISENRING

That is what one of my superrelieved clients said after her gut problems (diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome) improved after five weeks of working with me. Jan had experienced gut problems for most of her life and these had worsened within the past few years. Her bowel symptoms fluctuated from constipation to diarrhea with a lot of abdominal bloating and discomfort. Sometimes it was so bad that Jan didn’t want to go out to eat in public, so this had really impacted her social life. The doctor and gastroenterologist had ruled out any underlying disease and said that it was most likely irritable bowel syndrome and to get advice on a low FODMAP diet.

Jan said the next year she tried everything from an elimination diet to supplements, and seeing a nutritionist and naturopath. While she did experience some relief, Jan said the gut problems were always there and she was fearful of them getting worse. Jan came to see me after her friend, who I’d been helping to manage her unintentional weight loss and fatigue due to pancreatic cancer, recommended me.

We started with a thorough assessment of Jan’s medical, dietary and lifestyle history. It soon became apparent that Jan had experienced significant trauma in her life having cared for her ill father for several years and then her husband who had passed away two years ago. Jan was an active member of her community and liked to care for people. In fact, Jan often put the needs of others ahead of her own. Jan’s level of stress and anxiety were high and she wasn’t doing much to help reduce this. We worked on a positive mindset, including simple yet effective breathing and enjoyable activity to help relieve this stress. Jan’s mood improved and her gut symptoms lessened.

Jan’s mindset, physical activity and stress were improving so it was time to tackle what she was eating! Her diet was not providing the nourishment she required. Due to her fear of making her bowel symptoms worse, she had a very restrictive diet and was actually consuming a lot of processed foods even though she believed they were healthy, gluten-free choices. By gently increasing her intake of plant-based, whole foods providing soluble and insoluble fibre, probiotics and naturally sourced antioxidants and phytonutrients, Jan started to feel more energetic and the bowel symptoms continued to improve. By five weeks, Jan was feeling really well with hardly any symptoms. By eight weeks, she was essentially symptom free. Jan is now training for her first ever 5km walk. “I can’t believe I’m doing a 5km walk!! I would have been worried that I was too far away from a toilet to ever have thought about doing that before. Now I’m joining the young ones and feeling fantastic!”

DR LIZ is a Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist & Director of LINC Nutrition. Dr Liz does offer a limited number of one-on-one appointments. Email: DrLiz@lincnutrition.com.au to receive your FREE nutrition resource and information about Synergy. Phone: 0434 635 090. www.drliznutrition.com