Digestive and / or abdominal pain can be from a number of causes from food allergies and intolerances to something more sinister.

If Your suffering from bloating, feeling of fullness, reflux, migraines / headaches, fatigue after you have eaten it may be due to a food or compound not agreeing with your body.

Contact me today to start a plan to help you in the process of elimination to find the culprits that are interacting and damaging your lifestyle.

 I also work with pre and  probiotics that are designed for particular digestive problems and products to help digestive upsets and reflux in a more natural approach.

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DID YOU KNOW? 

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The gastrointestinal tract encompasses the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and the large intestine.

The primary function is to break down food into it's basic micro and macro nutrients and to further absorb and assimilate these. Healthy digestion begins in the mouth and ends in the colon. Unfortunately for some problems arise and effect the way we digest our foods, for example the pH of the stomach may be compromised and slowed.

Your gut contains 500-1000 species of bacteria that amounts to about 1.5kg of total weight. Good bacteria thrive on whole fresh food. The ecosystem in your gut must be healthy for you to be healthy. when it's not and the good bacteria is pushed out, a toxic environment develops which affects your body and your metabolism.

Different probiotics and different diets are designed for different digestive health issues. If your suffering and need guidance and help contact Naturaliste Nutrition today.

 

Gastritis

Not specific but results from several problems that cause inflammation of the stomach

Common causes are from medications, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aspirin), age,  smoking, alcohol, infection such as

Helicobacter pylori.

Symptoms include nausea, belching, bloating.

Avoiding:

•  Alcohol

•  Smoking

• Fatty foods

• Caffeinated drinks

• Citric acids

• Carbonated drinks

A diet high in fibre and foods that contain flavonoids is reccomended.

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS

A functional bowel disorder that cause abdominal cramping, alternate bowel motions, bloating, gas.Bowel movements usually relieve the discomfort. IBS may be accompanied by either fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome,or restless leg syndrome.

IBS sufferers often feel stressed, nervous and depressed about their condition.

Causes are different from person to person and include small intestinal bacteria growth, food sensitivities / imbalances, imbalances of serotonin, infection,hormonal imblances, environmental sensitivities.

Avoiding these 'trigger foods' that worsen your symptoms:

• Alcohol

• Coffee

• Fatty Foods

• Sugar

• Brassica vegetables

• Legumes

• Beans

• Onions

• White bread

A food diary will help you identify these trigger foods to help you decipher what foods are not suitable for you.

 

Diverticular Disease

This disease is due to herniation of the bowel wall in the large colon  leading to formation of sacs which can become inflammed and infected due to impacted faeces.

Patients have symptoms including abdominal pain, excessive flatulence, bleeding, bowel obstruction, nausea, anorexia, abscess, fistulas, and perforation.A Western diet high in saturated fat and low in fibre is often associated with this disease.

 

Peptic Ulcer Disease

A lesion in the lining of the digestive tract caused by the digestive action of pepsin and stomach acid. Helicobacter pylori and NSAIDS are largely to blame for this disease.

Symptoms include pain described as gnawing or burning. Pain occurs one to three hours after food or when the stomach is completely empty. Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss are other symptoms that may be present.

Perforation and bleeding are the mains complications of a Peptic Ulcer.

 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: IBD

 

Ulcerative Colitis

Limited to the rectum and colon(large intestine) this disease can inflame the entire colon. Requires lifetime management with the patient benefiting from support services and counselling.

Symptoms may include urgency, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, rectal mucus,weight loss, anorexia, fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Dietary recommendations depend upon the patient's personal history and symptoms.

Consumption of protein, fish and fish oils, fresh fruit and vegetables, probiotics and supplementation are an important part of treating this disease as diets need to be individually designed in order to counteract nutritional deficiencies.

 

Crohn's Disease

A chronic inflammatory disease that can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract but seen most in the ileum and the colon. Crohn's can also affect the esophagus, stomach and upper parts of the small intestine.

Symptoms include pain, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, fatigue, weight loss, constipation, fever, loss of appetite.Fistulas and abscess are also common manifestations of the disease. 

Due to inflammation of the small intestine, a Crohn's sufferer will often have reduced absorptionof essential nutritents. Deficiencies include iron, zinc, calcium,folate, vitamin B12 which lead to fatigue, muscle aches and further digestive problems.

Nutrients Required include:

• Omega 3 Fatty Acids

• Probiotics

• Iron

• Vitamin B12

• Folic Acid

• Zinc

• Calcium

• Vitamin D

• Magnesium

• Vitamin A