Spore-based probiotics are genuinely a new category of their own, and they have multiple applications in helping people solve their digestive and gut issues. But what gives spore-based probiotics their name? Spore-based bacteria are better thought of as spore-forming bacteria. Spores are dormant life forms that have the ability to germinate or seed bacteria.[1] When … [Read more...]
The connection between the gut and Hashimoto’s disease
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common autoimmune condition globally.[1] It entangles both the gut and the brain symptomatically. Common examples of these symptoms are constipation and brain fog. But what about the gut when it comes to the triggers of Hashimoto’s disease? In this article, we will look at the gut's contribution in sustaining and perhaps even … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 44: Three steps to get your IBS under control.
IBS can take over your day and hijack your mind in such a short time. I did a radio spot on RTHK national radio here in Hong Kong, where we introduced how it can affect people. To explain the context of how it affects people, consider the following question: Can you imagine feeling progressively more unwell with every meal you eat, every day, for months or years? It … [Read more...]
Article: What steps to take when your IBS is out of control?
IBS can get out of control, take over your day and hijack your mind in such a short time. I did a radio spot on RTHK national radio here in Hong Kong, where we introduced how IBS can affect people. To explain the context of how it affects people, I asked the following question: Can you imagine feeling progressively more unwell with every meal you eat, every day, for … [Read more...]
Article: Hydrogen Sulfide and SIBO – Why hasn’t your treatment worked yet?
Hydrogen sulfide can often be the missing link for people who have treated their SIBO but haven't seen their symptoms resolve. This article will help you understand this gas a little better and what steps to take to see if it's appropriate to you. So you’ve been through the biphasic diet to fix your IBS, SIBO and gut health issues and have worked hard to get to the … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 42: Hydrogen sulphide and SIBO symptoms that won’t budge
In this Free and Inspired radio episode, find out if hydrogen sulphide is the missing link if your SIBO breath test comes back clear, but you still have IBS symptoms. You’ve been through the biphasic diet to fix your SIBO and gut health issues and have worked hard to get to the retest to see how things have gone. You feel better than you did when you started. However, the … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 31: A Beginner’s Guide to SIBO
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: Constipation 101 – Causes, Solutions and where you can start
The number of people living with constipation increases in China[1] and affects anywhere from three to twenty-seven per cent of people in Europe[2] and the USA[3]. Whilst constipation affects mainly females and progresses with age, many children are also affected, with a quarter of visits to a paediatrician looking to address constipation without an … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 27: Constipation 101 – Solutions to help if nothing works.
In this episode, we will tackle solutions for the most common digestive symptoms - constipation. We’ll be looking at common causes of constipation, solutions, where you can start, and your options if you have tried the most straightforward solutions. Are you constipated or just having a challenging bowel experience? Most people living with constipation describe the … [Read more...]
Article: Can the gut/brain link be the answer to your acne and skin issues?
In this article, I’m here to tell you that the brain and digestion can be the answer to your acne and skin issues. Would you believe two dermatologists first spoke about the brain, gut, and skin connection in 1930?[1] I’ve been excited to write this article. I feel that this relationship has been in the literature for a while; it’s only recently that the brain-digestion-skin … [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 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...]
FIR Episode 4: How are IBS and SIBO connected?
Discover how small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may be the breakthrough that clears up this mystery of IBS for many people. The chances that either you or someone you know experiences some form of IBS. Whether in the form of bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux or nausea, are pretty high in these modern times. IBS is a chronic functional disorder of … [Read more...]