Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO as an acronym, is one of many modern ways of handling and, in some cases, explaining irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms. In this Free and Inspired radio episode, get a beginner’s look at small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Some estimates have SIBO positive in up to seventy per cent of IBS cases. One study … [Read more...]
Article: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – A Beginner’s Guide
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO as an acronym, is one of many modern ways of handling and, in some cases, explaining irritable bowel syndrome and its symptoms. A meta-analysis and systematic review (where researchers combine studies for better conclusions) brought together twenty-five separate studies confirming the link between IBS and SIBO.[1] Some … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 28: Is the gut the missing link for your hormones?
Women with hormone issues such as premenstrual symptoms like cramping, bloating or unexpected emotional changes typically have gut symptoms at the start or different times during their cycle. "I didn't know there was a connection between my gut and my hormones." In this Free and Inspired radio episode, discover why the link between the gut and hormones may be the missing … [Read more...]
Article: Is there a connection between the gut, your brain and chronic pain?
The answer is yes, there is a connection between the gut, your brain and chronic pain. Around 2 billion people are living with chronic pain worldwide.[1] For most people living with chronic pain, it is often considered a symptom of another condition. Usually, unfortunately, this leaves it inadequately treated. In my early years of practice, I saw many fibromyalgia … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 23: Is there a link between the gut, brain and chronic pain?
In this Free and Inspired radio episode, Philip explores the connection between your gut, brain and chronic pain. “In my early years of practice, I saw many fibromyalgia patients. From my point of view, the level of debilitation is second to none. One of the critical facets I witnessed then almost fifteen years ago is the need for a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 21: Is alcohol good for me or not?
Our subject for this week is dedicated to Alcohol awareness month and asks the question “Is alcohol good for me or not?” “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the answer seems to be a resounding no. It doesn't seem to be good for you at all.” At least based on new emerging research in 2023. “The lead author of a study looking at alcohol and cardiovascular disease, … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 19: Cortisol is a friend to all but an enemy to some.
Cortisol, the infamous stress hormone is a friend to all, but an enemy to some. In this Free and Inspired episode, Philip looks at how it affects the body. We’ll also look at the best natural way to harness cortisol so it doesn’t harness you. Cortisol allows your body to deal with stress but may also slow your digestive system, metabolism and suppress your immune … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 14: What is a leaky gut, and does it affect the brain and gut?
Do you have "leaky gut?" “The title says it all. I remember walking through an airport and seeing the caption on the front of Women's Health and smiling as it seemed to have finally crossed over into the public vernacular.” Of course, this was when we could fly freely, as a side note. The term "leaky gut" and its symptoms and causes are becoming highly ambiguous … [Read more...]
Article: Leaky gut and its influence on digestive and mental health.
The term "leaky gut," its symptoms and causes, are becoming highly ambiguous to my patients and readers alike. So, in this article, I will attempt to clear up some of the confusion. I'll look at some key points to simplify things a little more and help you perhaps prioritise your understanding around its influence on digestive and mental health. Finally, I'll look at some of … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 13: Zinc is essential for your mental and digestive health
Zinc is undoubtedly one of the most important forms of currency your body uses to pay its bills. “You walk around with around 2-3 grams of zinc in your body every day. It's in all tissues in the body, with eighty-five per cent found in your muscles and bones and eleven per cent seen in your skin and liver.” In this Free and Inspired radio episode, Philip looks at … [Read more...]
Article: Zinc is necessary for IBS, immunity and depression.
Zinc is undoubtedly one of the most important forms of currency your body needs to pay its bills, especially for IBS, immunity and depression. It’s hard to simplify just how many of these transactions it pays for in a day, but maybe some fun facts might better illustrate it. Of all the trace elements in the body, only iron is more abundant than … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 12: Is histamine worsening your mental and IBS symptoms?
We've all been affected by histamine at one stage in our lives. Hay fever and skin rashes aside, there are more profound effects of histamine in the gut and the brain that you might not know about. It can be surprising how intrinsic it is. For instance, histamine plays critical roles in immune defence, brain activity, growth and development, fertility and … [Read more...]
Article: Is histamine making your mental and IBS symptoms worse?
I feel histamine is most well-known because of anti-histamine drugs than its actual effect on the body, certainly not IBS. It's no wonder as allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is thought to affect ten to thirty per cent of the worldwide population, and that was ten years ago.[1] We've all been affected by histamine actions on the body at one stage in our lives, but hay fever … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 11: Going on a gluten-free diet – Things you need to know.
“It doesn’t take too many consultations into my practice day to have the “gluten-free diet conversation.” I don’t think I’m overstating things when I suggest that it might be the most hotly contested dietary conversation of the last decade.” In this Free and Inspired radio episode, Philip introduces gluten, how it might affect you, and some of the disadvantages of a … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 9: Can your fatigue be linked to your digestive system?
In this Free and Inspired radio episode, we will examine how your digestive system can worsen your fatigue. The microbiome is as unique as your fingerprint. We have a lot to learn, but we know that the proportions of the different species of bacteria in your digestion play a huge role in how you’re feeling. Especially in fatigue or your sense of mental and physical … [Read more...]