Gastrointestinal (GI) health is one of the most critical aspects of overall health that can considerably affect the quality of life because it interferes with the capacity for digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Whether patients have constipation, diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, or any other troublesome symptom, we will walk them through the basics of GI health and nutrition to help them manage their condition and achieve optimal comfort.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are common multifactorial disorders of the digestive tract involving disturbances of the brain-gut axis, which refers to the two-way communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the intestine. They present a broad spectrum of digestive manifestations and may even impact psychological well-being.
Diet plays a significant role in IBS and SIBO interventions. We aim to empower patients to take control of their health by recommending first, second, or third-line dietary approaches based on the severity of their symptoms. Our Registered Dietitians Nutritionists will offer support throughout the healing journey and help patients identify the most challenging foods to manage symptoms and prevent a recurrence. They will also provide them with the necessary resources to navigate dietary restrictions. For example, the low-FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) has proven highly efficient in reducing symptoms associated with the previously mentioned GI disorders. In addition, if clients get a SIBO positive diagnosis by breath testing, we may consider other emerging SIBO-specific diets based on their needs.
A dysfunctional gut with an altered microbiome can be the root cause of many health issues. Therefore, we recommend that patients act early on and seek help from our Registered Dietitians Nutritionists to evaluate their digestive health and get personalized nutrition advice accordingly.