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Suite 5, 2A Booth Street,
Balmain, NSW, 2041
Suite 5, 2A Booth Street,
Balmain, NSW, 2041
At View to Health, our naturopath specialises in treating the underlying causes of IBS, SIBO, constipation, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other bowel issues, thus relieving debilitating symptoms of these conditions.
To achieve optimal outcomes, Lynne adopts a multi-faceted approach to help patients regain optimal digestive microbial balance.
The colon houses 1,000 times more commensal microbes that the small intestine, and these utilise indigestible carbohydrate fibres and produce short chain fatty acids which supply up to 10% of the body’s energy requirements.
IBS is a debilitating condition characterised by abnormal bowel movements with either constipation (IBS-C) with less than three bowel movements per week, diarrhoea (IBS-D) with more than three bowel movements per day, or both. It may present itself with various symptoms including lower gut pain (often triggered by stress or foods), cramping, bloating, increased gas or bladder irritation. Gut pain is usually worse after meals or on waking. A diet high in animal protein and wheat and low in plant-based fibre and vegetables has been shown to greatly increase the risk of developing IBS.
Other predisposing factors include a prior gut infection, antibiotic use and stress.
Stress is known to affect gut motility by influencing the secretion of serotonin and other neurotransmitters which are present in the gut. Plasma levels of precursors to serotonin are high in IBS-D and low in IBS-C.
People with IBS tend to have lower microbial diversity and a disrupted microbiome, and this leads to gut barrier dysfunction leading to gut permeability. So long as the gut barrier is intact, there is no increase in permeability (leaky gut). This allows some bacteria and products of digestion to enter the circulation. The presence of pathogenic bacteria also increases intestinal permeability as the immune system responds with a process of inflammation. This can lead to auto-immune responses, allergic reactions and infection in other parts of the body. Low peristalsis activity (IBS-C) is a risk factor for developing SIBO which can cause leaky gut.
Because there is a gut-brain connection due to the same neurotransmitters being present in the gut as in the brain, IBS patients have higher rates of anxiety (IBS-D) and depression (IBS-C). Also, inflammation of intestinal tissue can lead to an increase in pain perception.
Dietary advice for IBS sufferers is to
Regular exercise and relaxation techniques are advised to reduce the effects of stress.
At View to Health, our naturopath takes a case history and uses GI mapping to ascertain the underlying cause. Treatment involves a diet to address food intolerances, a herbal tonic to improve the digestion and to reduce inflammation in the gut, and specific probiotics to restore the microbiome, and nutritional supplements to correct dysbiosis and pathogenic overload, and to strengthen, soothe and heal the gut barrier and so reduce gut permeability.
This will result in improved bowel function, and better energy without the gut pain.
What is the function of the small intestine?
The small intestine is responsible for the chemical digestion and absorption of food nutrients. Motility is important to prevent microbes from adhering to the wall.
The small intestine contains the majority of the body’s immune function, so it plays a vital role in the body’s health.
SIBO refers to the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine which are not the usual commensal inhabitants, but they resemble bacteria in the colon.
These cause flatulence, abdominal cramping, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, fatty stools (steatorrhoea),bad breath, headaches and malabsorption of nutrients resulting in nutrient deficiencies. It is associated with stress, sleep disorders, poor digestion and long-term use of PPI’s.
Some bacteria congregate in colonies, protecting themselves inside a biofilm, making it difficult to be destroyed by anti-biotics, and these strains develop antibiotic resistance.
There may also be overgrowth of fungi (SIFO), and SIBO or SIFO can both lead to IBS (large bowel inflammation and dysbiosis). This may lead to chronic systemic inflammation associated with mood and behavioural changes, cardiometabolic conditions, obesity, neurodegeneration, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. Over 50% of IBS sufferers have SIBO or SIFO as an underlying cause.
Our naturopath at View to Health will give a treatment based on SIBO testing, to improve gut motility, address the pathogenic overload, improve the gut mucosal barrier, reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. A hydrogen and methane breath test determines the presence of SIBO.
There are successful herbal treatments to address these bacteria and modern techniques such as microbial DNA sequencing to identify the problematic bacteria. There are natural remedies, available from your Sydney naturopath at View to Health, which can break through the biofilm and allow the bacterial colonies to be targeted. Your naturopath will treat the accompanying inflammation and mucous membrane irritation with a specially formulated herbal medicine and include specific probiotic strains to reinstate a balance of beneficial bacteria. Dietary intake is also an important factor in encouraging the overgrowth of bacteria which cause gut problems. At View to Health in Sydney, your naturopath will advise you on dietary measures to help prevent SIBO.
Constipation is characterised by infrequent and difficult bowel movements, typically three or fewer times per week. To maintain good health, it is necessary to defaecate at least once daily, otherwise toxins can accumulate in the body leading to various health complications.
Causes of constipation may include:
Constipation can also accompany depression, anxiety and stress.
At View to Health, your naturopath will give you a treatment to increase peristalsis, restore tone to the intestines, soothe and lubricate inflamed bowels and decrease the effects of stress and anxiety. This should result in a regular bowel movement.
Some medically prescribed laxatives develop a dependency.
The herbal tonic formulated at View to Health contains herbs which address pain and bloating and ease spasm, improve gastrointestinal lubrication, support the nervous system, improve digestion and bile production by the liver, which promotes transit through the bowels. Prebiotics and probiotics and a personalised diet are also part of the treatment.
The objective is eventually not to have to rely on laxatives or any other treatment.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon.
It is characterised by intermittent flares, and is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids) and immune-suppressive drugs (sulfazalazine) which have side-effects.
Steroid treatment can lead to weight gain, acne, mood changes, diabetes, stomach ulcers, Cushing’s syndrome and delayed wound healing.
Sulfazalazine can cause stomach upset and pain, headache, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, rash, joint pain and fever.
In ulcerative colitis, digestion and absorption are not usually affected but there is impairment of water absorption causing diarrhoea.
Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease affects the whole of the gastro-intestinal tract. An inflamed ileum reduces the absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts (which emulsify fat).
Inflammation along the small intestine affects absorption of all nutrients. Inflammation of the colon impairs water absorption causing diarrhoea.
There is also cramping abdominal pain and fever during flares and often weight loss, tiredness and fatigue.
Those people with Crohn’s disease are more likely to develop fistulas.
Treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease at View to Health include a herbal preparation as a liquid, powder or tablets to soothe and protect the mucous membrane lining and reduce pain, as well as prebiotics and a specially designed diet.
“I have had Crohn’s Disease for 3 years. I’ve tried lots of different things and have always tried to eat a healthy diet, but was still experiencing bad flare ups and fatigue. Since I have been going to Lynne and taking the tonic and supplements that she has provided for me, I have been feeling so much better and haven’t experienced any flare ups since. Lynne has certainly helped me get my life back on track and I can’t thank her enough. I highly recommend Lynne.”
“I had indigestion problems for many years and I did multiple tests to find out the core reason. I was on a variety of diets too, but it was all unsuccessful till my wife decided to get me an appointment with naturopath – Lynne. After 3 appointments, with her prescribed diet and herbal tonics I was fixed! I am very grateful for her service, just wish I found her much earlier! I would highly recommend her to anyone with digestion issues.”
To find a natural treatment for bowel disorders, please call our Naturopath at View to Health on (02)9555 5626 or 0419 416 256.
Lynne Goldstein is a Medical Herbalist, Naturopath and Dietitian with post-graduate university degrees and more than 30 years in clinical practice. Lynne treats a range of chronic health conditions and formulates and dispenses your medicine.