Don't just accept that your gut issues are normal - get answers!
Case Study: Sarah’s* Journey to Freedom from IBS Symptoms through Tailored Nutrition and Targeted Testing
Many women I work with struggle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that often feels exhausting, embarrassing and life-limiting.
Today, I’d like to share Sarah’s story.
At 36, Sarah had lived with IBS and painful digestive issues most of her life. Post diagnosis from the GP in her 20s, she was only offered Buscopan and codeine for symptom management and she felt no closer to lasting relief or understanding the root cause of her issues. She didn’t take them and tried her best to manage with diet.
Background and Initial SymptomsWhen Sarah came to me, she was managing severe IBS symptoms daily. Her IBS-diarrhoea was made worse by stress, and she frequently had to work from home to manage her symptoms. Sarah felt her condition was becoming unmanageable, affecting both her personal and professional life.
Sarah’s symptoms were relentless and included diarrhoea, cramps, bloating, and gas, with alternating bouts of constipation. Her symptoms were so intense that, beyond just discomfort, they often caused her pain. She described feeling constantly ‘on edge’ about her gut, as many common foods triggered severe reactions. Foods like pizza, garlic, processed snacks, sugary items, and anything high in fat could cause extreme pain, cramps, and digestive discomfort.
Although Sarah ate a generally healthy diet, she knew there was something more going on with her gut. She also relied on NSAIDs to help with the pain, which can be harsh on the digestive tract over time. We began our work by focusing on increasing gut health and gut soothing promoting foods and reducing those sneaky added sugars, which might have been subtly aggravating her symptoms. We did a gluten elimination as that seemed an obvious trigger. To better understand the underlying imbalances, I recommended both the GI-MAP stool test and a comprehensive blood test.
Step 1: Testing to Get to the Root Cause of IBS
The GI-MAP stool test gave us an in-depth look at Sarah’s gut health and flagged up a few key imbalances and infections that explained her symptoms:
H. pylori Infection: The test revealed an overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that can inflame the stomach lining and significantly impair digestion. Left untreated, H. pylori causes acid reflux and stomach ulcers (it is the most common cause of stomach and gastric ulcers in the UK) and reduces stomach acid levels, which allows other bacteria to overgrow, leading to weaker digestion and nutrient absorption.
Bacterial Dysbiosis and Yeast Overgrowth: Sarah also had an imbalance in her gut bacteria – with an overgrowth of both “good” (commensal) bacteria and potentially pathogenic bacteria, as well as a large yeast overgrowth (Candida). These imbalances contributed to her frequent gas, cramps, and digestive discomfort.
Parasites: We identified two types of parasites, which may have further contributed to her symptoms and digestive distress.
Low Pancreatic Enzymes: Sarah’s low levels of pancreatic elastase indicated that her pancreas wasn’t producing enough digestive enzymes, which are essential for breaking down and absorbing nutrients.
Elevated Inflammatory Markers and Gluten Sensitivity: Her test showed high levels of secretory IgA (sIgA) and anti-gliadin IgA, a marker of the immune system’s reaction to gluten, suggesting a strong inflammatory response that might be linked to her symptoms. Gluten was now off the table!
Comprehensive Blood TestSarah’s blood test confirmed some important nutrient deficiencies, including low levels of vitamin D, minerals and folate. These results underscored the need to address her gut health holistically and support her body’s nutrient needs.
Step 2: Creating a Targeted, Personalised Plan
With these insights, we crafted a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan to address the underlying causes of Sarah’s symptoms:
Addressing H. pylori and Bacterial OvergrowthWe began by focusing on eradicating H. pylori with a course of natural antimicrobials for the short term whilst adding antibacterial herbs and spices into Sarah’s diet, such as thyme, oregano, and ginger. We eliminated sugar and alcohol, which can fuel bacterial overgrowth, and added plenty of colourful, antioxidant-rich vegetables to help strengthen her immune response and fight inflammation.
Balancing Yeast Overgrowth and Supporting Gut HealthTo manage the yeast overgrowth, we prioritised high-fibre, plant-rich meals to support her healthy gut bacteria, along with healthy fats and proteins to keep her energy stable. A targeted yeast based probiotics and additional prebiotic foods were included to support her beneficial gut flora.
Improving Digestion with Enzyme SupportSarah added digestive enzymes before meals to improve nutrient breakdown and absorption, along with a supplement to support fat digestion – which had previously been a struggle for her gut. This is short term until mindful eating takes over.
Eliminating Trigger Foods and Increasing Nutrient IntakeWe worked together to remove gluten and processed foods, focusing on anti-inflammatory, whole foods and plenty of high-quality protein. We also incorporated more antimicrobial and fibre-rich foods to encourage healing in her gut and help crowd out overgrown bacteria and yeast.
Results: Life-Changing Relief and a New Relationship with Food
Even before receiving all the test results, Sarah began to feel improvements with the initial dietary changes. However, once we implemented the complete, targeted approach, her results were nothing short of transformative. Here’s what Sarah shared after completing our sessions together:
“I signed up for six private sessions with Gemma, and I’m so glad I did. From the first session, before we even had the test results, I saw huge benefits from her recommendations.
I have a pretty healthy diet, but I knew there were things not right with my gut. We’ve got to the bottom of a bunch of things, and I feel completely different. I think we just accept so many discomforts as normal – it’s only when you take action to understand and sort out what’s been going on that you realise your ‘normal’ doesn’t have to be discomfort after every meal.
I would highly recommend speaking to Gemma if you feel the same. Her process is thorough and methodical, and she’s just a lovely person to speak to every couple of weeks. Thanks so much, Gemma, from me and my gut!”
Today, Sarah has no more cramps, diarrhoea, or constipation – symptoms she had lived with for decades. Her quality of life has transformed, and she now enjoys food without the pain and discomfort that used to follow every meal. She has a healthy social and a busy work life and now manages both with ease.
Is IBS Holding You Back?Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that even a generally healthy diet can benefit from personalised adjustments based on individual health needs. If you or someone you know is struggling with IBS, please get in touch. Forward my email to someone who you think this will resonate with. My free 20-minute 'Health Review' calls provide a chance to discuss your goals and see how a tailored approach can help you regain your vitality.
Book in your own call here BOOK MY CALL
Warm regards,Gemma Westfold, NT (BANT)
*I have full permission to share this story but have changed my client's name for anonymity.
I'm Gemma Westfold, BANT registered Nutritional Therapist.
How I can help with Nutritional Therapy
Using the functional medicine approach, I work to understand your metabolic health and what is impacting your healthspan. You can expect from me:
A personalised nutrition plan rich in nourishing foods to assist your glucose management and metabolic health
Test recommendations and full interpretation either privately or through your GP
Personalised supplement protocol to support your blood sugar management and reliance on insulin
Regular consultations and coaching to support new choices
Note: as a Nutritional Therapist, I do not diagnose or prescribe, however I do use functional nutrition testing to help find the best way to support my client’s health. Book your free call here
Comments