How Nutritional Therapy (and ProVen) helped Sofie beat her IBS
‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common conditions clients come to see me for – seeking relief from symptoms such as constipation, pain, diarrhoea, wind, bloating and headaches.’ Rosie Letts – Nutritional Therapist
Sofie was 26 years old and had been suffering with IBS symptoms of constipation, tiredness, wind and abdominal discomfort for 8 years.
She believed that the symptoms had started shortly after she returned from her gap year, but it was difficult to pin down exactly when the IBS began. Sofie had seen a gastroenterologist who performed a colonoscopy which showed that everything was ‘normal’. She ate a healthy balanced diet and had tried eliminating different foods, which provided temporary relief but it didn’t last.
The Examination
After a thorough case history taking, Sofie and I discussed functional stool testing to provide an exact picture of the health of her gastro-intestinal tract. I explained that food is assimilated in the gut before it is broken down and the nutrients used for the myriad of metabolic functions in the rest of the body. If the gut environment has been compromised, then problems can arise despite eating a healthy diet.
A comprehensive stool analysis revealed that Sofie had low Secretory IgA – an immune marker secreted to protect the gut lining. Her alpha-1 antitrypsine reading was also below the expected normal, which indicates diminished activity of immune cells and increased gut permeability, commonly referred to as leaky gut.
Leaky gut can allow large food particles to cross the gastro-intestinal barrier and trigger an immune response. This is how food intolerance develops. The comprehensive stool analysis also revealed that Sofie had low levels of the good bacteria, Lactobacillus.
Beneficial gut flora protects against infections and play an integral part in the transit time of food through the big bowel (colon). Too few beneficial gut flora may result in constipation.
She also had a significant candida infection and a parasite called Blastocystis Hominis which is known for causing fatigue and abdominal bloating and pain.
The Solution
Remove
Replace
Reinoculate
Repair
Rebalance
Remove
Remove
Food allergens and intolerances – I used a blood test to determine exactly which foods Sofie’s immune system was reacting to.
Infections – I used a combination of anti-microbial herbs and supplements including saccharomyces boulardii, berberine and plant tannins to clear the yeast and Blastocystis Hominis infection.
Inflammation – I used an anti-inflammatory diet protocol to relieve Sofie’s systemic inflammation.
Replace
Replace
The comprehensive stool analysis had revealed low stomach acid and multiple food intolerances indicated insufficient stomach acid. So, we supplemented these temporarily whilst naturally increasing stomach acid production through mindful eating.
The anti-inflammatory diet protocol that Sofie followed was designed to be easily digestible and enzyme-rich which significantly relieved her symptoms from day one. As certain foods were removed from Sofie’s diet, these were replaced with nutrient-dense alternatives.
Reinoculate
Reinoculate
Once the parasite and yeast infections had cleared, I provided fermented foods and a probiotic supplement to help Sofie’s beneficial bacteria flourish and reduce the risk of future infection. Sofie took a three month supply of ProVen Probiotics’ Adult 25 Billion.
Repair
Repair
To help the lining of Sofie’s GI tract repair itself, we ensured that her diet was rich in key nutrients that can often be in short supply in a disease state, such as zinc, antioxidants (e.g. vitamins A, C, and E), fish oil, and the amino acid glutamine.
Rebalance
Rebalance
We had identified that Sofie had little down time and felt stressed a lot of the time, so we paid special attention to lifestyle choices – as sleep, exercise and stress can all affect the GI tract.
The Results
Within two weeks of following my nutritional therapy programme, Sofie’s abdominal pain had gone and within four weeks she was able to pass daily stools.
Sofie followed her three-month programme to the letter and at our final appointment she reported to have better energy and mental clarity now than she could ever recall having before.
What’s more, a second comprehensive stool analysis revealed healthy Secretory IgA and alpha-1 antitrypsine, indicating that she no longer had ‘leaky gut’.
Thanks to the ProVen Probiotics, her Lactobacillus had returned to a healthy range and her other beneficial bacteria were looking much healthier too. The Blastocystis Hominis and yeast infections had completely cleared.
A Happy Future
“I went to see Rosie on advice from a friend, so I knew she could do amazing things. But I never expected such a rapid and complete transformation.
When I first realised I would have to give up cheese I could have cried, but Rosie supported me with dairy replacements and new recipes and even sent me links to exactly what to add to my Ocado order which made things so easy.
I wasn’t surprised to learn that I had a parasite as my troubles began after my time backpacking. It’s not a nice thought that there is something living inside you and making you unwell, which is why I was so determined to do what Rosie said and get rid of it.
I am so grateful that my gut bacteria is back to how it should be and that I’m not hosting parasites any more.
Better still, my symptoms have completely gone away. I feel like I’m 17 again! The best thing of all, is that I have been able to reintroduce my beloved cheese in small quantities without symptoms. Thank you, Rosie!”
Our story
With over 30 years’ experience in probiotics, coupled with continual research and new product development, ProVen is one of the world’s most respected producers of probiotics.
The man behind the brand
Whilst there are many brands of probiotics, there are not many proprietors as passionate about bacteria as Dr Nigel Plummer, founder and managing director of ProVen Probiotics.
Research and development
ProVen Probiotics and the Lab4 bacteria they contain are subject to a continuous programme of research that both supports our existing products and feeds new product development.
