DGBIs involve impaired communication between your gut and brain. While conventional tests may appear normal, patients experience real and often distressing symptoms. These disorders highlight the intricate connection between our digestive system and our nervous system.
DGBIs often present as reflux or indigestion, gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying), diarrhoea or constipation. More research needs to be done on understanding how these conditions start, but we know there may have been a previous infection, that long-term mood disorders are a contributing factor, and that women often present more than men.
There is great evidence on how complementary medicine can nurture your gut-brain connection. Naturopathic care for DGBIs focuses on:
Remember, healing takes time and patience. By addressing the root causes and supporting your body's natural healing processes, naturopathic care can help you find relief from DGBI symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
If you're struggling with gut-brain disorders, consider consulting a naturopath. We're here to listen, support, and guide you towards better digestive health and a happier, healthier life.
References:
Recognizing and treating disorders of gut-brain interaction April 20, 2022, By Christopher D. Vélez, MD. Harvard Health
Deutsch JK, Levitt J, Hass DJ. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Am J Gastroenterol. 2020 Mar;115(3):350-364. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000539. PMID: 32079860.
The slowing down of your daily bowel movements can start as early as Trimester One. You might be a little dehydrated, or finding harder to eat all those happy fibrous foods. We call it the ‘Eating Like A Child’ Trimester for a reason - hello vegemite on toast cravings!
Constipation in pregnancy is also triggered by the changing pregnancy hormones, which relax your muscles and slow the transit time of food through your digestive tract. As your progesterone levels rise through your pregnancy the constipation can get worse.
Another reason women people can get constipation during pregnancy is the common issues of iron deficiency and constipation-causing supplements. Many people experience low iron, or iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy and it is important to address this to help with the baby's growth and the movement of oxygen around your body.
Low iron contributes to fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, restless legs, and a general feeling of being a bit meh. Then you take a poor-quality iron supplement which causes constipation! There has to be a better way!
Yes, there is a better way, speak to a Naturopath to find the best form of iron to support absorption with fewer side effects.
There are plenty of things you can do ... you probably won't have to do all of them, but try a few that seem easy to fit in with your daily routine. Let's start with the basics:
Food as medicine is our go-to here at New Leaf, and an easy snack or breakfast that helps everyone poop is pretty tasty and a bright party for your eyes. We recommend this a lot to all our clients. Just mix everything up in a bowl and enjoy! It tastes delicious.
If these lifestyle and food suggestions don't do the trick, we'd recommend speaking with your naturopath or nutritionist. Under the guidance of your health professional there are a few other options:
Hopefully, this helps give you some direction on what you can do to support those sluggish bowels during pregnancy. It may be common, but constipation during pregnancy is something you don't have to put up with.
At New Leaf Naturopathic Health we love helping families grow and people stay strong and healthy on their fertility journeys. Our practitioners are ready to help you today. Book your appointment online with one of our Naturopaths & Nutritionist today.
Ayurveda, the traditional holistic medicine system of India, recommends a delicious medicinal veggie stew to gently fortify the body at this turn of the season. Called Kitchadi, it’s a moreish and nutrient-dense one-pot dish that can be served on its own or with steamed seasonal vegetables. If you love it, let it become a simple, cockle-warming staple over the cooler months. This recipe from the Ayurvedic Institute is a simple version and a real favourite:
Another cosy kitchen favourite at this time of year is homemade Elderberry Syrup. This delicious and medicinal recipe includes some of the traditional mulled wine spices, so the slow bubble of a pot on the backburner will fill your home with aromatic goodness. The result is a sweet, berry-rich, citrus and clove-scented syrup that’s perfect taken as a nightly ‘shot’ or topped with hot water in a nice big mug for a warming toddy. Elderberries are a traditional herbal medicine taken at this time of year to help build immunity and have been shown to contain several potent antiviral constituents. We’ve seen frozen elderberries available in health food stores, or they’re easy to find dried online.
We will be running more Endo Groups over the next few months. A monthly Endo Group for existing patients (a monthly endo group), or people who have seen Hannah before. Also a new intake for Endo patients - this will be fortnightly for 6 sessions for those new to their endo journey or naturopathic treatment.
If you're interested in taking part please get in touch, fill out the intake form and lets get started!
Places are limited, each group only has a few spots!
Anyone who has been diagnosed with endometriosis or adenomyosis
Existing New Leaf Patients
For the first time we are opening the group for New patients of the clinic, but we'll need to get a bit of info from you first which involves an additional intake session (so you'll have 5 group sessions plus one individual 30min appointment with Hannah)
Monthly Group Naturopathic appointments & education sessions. In-person and live this is not pre-recorded content you have to ingest!
Personalised naturopathic care. These are appointments, not just info sessions!
Limited places per group! Our group sessions are intimate and personal.
By signing up you are committing to all five sessions it's not a drop-in group - you get the most out of it when we're all together each month.
If you miss a session you'll be sent a recording of the education session and your auto payment will continue to be deducted.
Pay in full at the time of booking for all 5 (or 6) sessions for a 20% discount or as a monthly auto-recurring payment through our secure system.
The 5-session program is non-refundable (contact us if extenuating circumstances)
For existing patients, each appointment is $90, a total of $450 for 5 months of naturopathic treatment (or a one-off charge of $360)
New patients of the clinic will also have a one-on-one intake appointment with Hannah prior to starting the group so she can get to know you before the group sessions start, meaning they'll receive 6 sessions per term (still $90 per session, and a total of $540).
All session are held online viz Zoom, conveniently so you can get treatment from the comfort of your own home.
During each session, participants receive individualised care through "Check-Ins." These are shorter consultations conducted in front of the other group members. Initially, this may seem unusual, but it allows participants to learn from each other's experiences. The focus is on addressing one area at a time, such as helping with prescriptions or going through pathology or test results if necessary.
Group Naturopathic Consults are sessions where a group of individuals come together to receive education and personalised care from a naturopath. The sessions include providing each patient attention to their own personal clinical needs, as well as naturopathic education specific to the needs of the group and people with endometriosis.
While the consultations are primarily conducted in a group setting, there is an opportunity for a private one-on-one session with Hannah if there are specific concerns that individuals prefer not to discuss in front of the group.
In addition to Hannah, a trained group facilitator named Sophia Gerontakos is present in each session. Sophia coordinates the groups, ensures the sessions stay on schedule, takes notes, and assists participants with any needs they may have.
Endometriosis and adenomyosis are complex conditions and we'll be addressing all of this - gut, immune, mental health, sex, body-mind life - all of it. We will not specifically be addressing fertility cases - what I mean by this is that if you are actively trying to fall pregnant or undergoing fertility treatment this will have to be carried out in one-on-one consults. Please let me know if you have questions about this.
Group consultations do not replace one-on-one consults - but you may not need both. Many of the existing Group members learn when something is specific for the group but also when you may more targeted support. Ideally, I want you to get the most benefits from the group work as your primary place of care.
Group consults are not group therapy - we all come with our own experiences and life decisions - there is always a place to offer support, we are there to hear one another’s experiences rather than give and receive advice and we encourage listening without judgement.
Hippocrates, the original ‘naturopath’ of ancient Greece said ‘all disease begins in the gut’. It may be a little more complex than that, but from a modern naturopathic perspective, it would certainly be safe to say that ‘all disease involves the gut’. That’s why we tend to ask so many questions about digestion in initial consultations, and at New Leaf we have gleaned through sitting down with hundreds of patients over the years that perhaps no digestive symptom is more common than bloating.
In fact, the most common questions we receive as naturopaths – whether in formal consultation or at a dinner party – are: ‘What can I do/take to stop bloating after meals?’ and ‘what are the foods that cause bloating’. The answer is never straightforward and always requires digging much deeper, because stomach bloating is a symptom of a great number of digestive issues. In other words, where there is bloating, there is a mystery to be solved.
Just some pieces of the bloating puzzle for you could be:
Most people who experience bloating do so for a number of reasons and it can be a complex riddle to solve. Luckily, this is an area where naturopathic care excels, both in figuring out the cause and formulating the right treatment.
Just remember – digestion should be smooth, comfortable and definitely bloat-free! If it’s not, naturopathy offers significant benefits and often full resolution of digestive problems, getting to the bottom of what causes bloating.
Supporting gut health is the start-point for managing so many conditions, so it’s a special area of interest for us. That’s why our practitioners have gained certification as Microbiome Analysts and Healthy Gut Practitioners.
At New Leaf Naturopathic we are experienced telehealth practitioners, so don’t let geography get in the way of your health. We’re here to help solve your bloating issues in the privacy and comfort of your own home, wherever you live.
Elevate Your Health Journey with Our Expert Naturopaths: Schedule Your Appointment Clinic Bookings at New Leaf Naturopathic Health Today!
In conclusion, SIBO is a complex gastrointestinal disorder that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management, including antibiotics, dietary adjustments, and other interventions, are essential in effectively managing this condition and alleviating its symptoms. If you suspect you may have SIBO, consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.
Supporting gut health is the starting point for managing so many conditions, so it’s a special area of interest for us. That’s why Hannah has gained her certification as a Microbiome Analyst and Healthy Gut Practitioner.
Elevate Your Health Journey with Our Expert Naturopaths: Schedule Your Appointment Clinic Bookings at New Leaf Naturopathic Health Today!
Endometriosis (endo) is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain and sometimes fertility problems. While naturopathic approaches may not replace conventional medical treatments, they can be complementary and may help manage symptoms. We work with patients one-on-one in clinic, but also through our Group Naturopathic Consults where people get more than just naturopathic care and understanding. You can read more about these here.
We hope this helps, drop us a line if you have questions, or come and see us. Our clinic is 100% online, which means you can see us from anywhere in Australia.
So, the results aren't super magical - but there WAS a reduction in the hot flushes by eating ½ cup of cooked soybeans every day (hello phytoestrogens), and there WAS some changes in the gut microbiome, which may or may not have contributed...more science needs to be done but we love that people are looking at hormone health holistically.
What we do know is that there are a few things that help:
👉 Managing stress is a HUGE factor in reducing these flushes
👉 Herbal medicine can take the edge off like nothing else!
👉 Some research shows reflexology & aromatherapy can help
👉 Getting adequate sleep!
👉 Reduction in alcohol
👉 Phytoestrogens in your food (and herbal tonics)
The exact cause is unknown but likely influenced by various factors:
➡ It is believed to involve changes in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates body temperature.
➡ Low oestrogen levels, especially after menopause, contribute to these changes.
➡ The temperature regulation set point in the hypothalamus is thought to be altered.
➡ This alteration is linked to low oestrogen levels.
➡ A small increase in core body temperature may be a key trigger.
➡ Neurons in the brain, which undergo hypertrophy after menopause, play a role in this thermoregulatory dysfunction.
➡ Neurons cause increased signalling to heat dissipation effectors in the central nervous system (CNS).
➡ Signals also affect gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons related to reproductive hormones.
➡ Oestrogen interacts with neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, endogenous opioids, and serotonin.
This interaction is considered part of the mechanism leading to hot flashes and night sweats.
Hope this helps!
Adding protein to your diet IS NOT about weight loss. We need protein for all functions of life, energy, tissue repair, brain health, and immune health.
All these a naturopath naturopath-approved.. but if you need more help, come and chat with us - we'll get your plate fueling your life in a way that will have you skipping down the street.
Pulses: Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans are excellent sources of protein. They can be used in soups, stews, salads, and more. They are excellent for your digestive health as well - so including them will help your overall health.
Tofu: Tofu is a versatile source of protein that can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from stir-fries to smoothies. Firm tofu is higher in protein compared to silken tofu. The issue many people have with tofu is that it doesn't taste like anything, so you really have to think of it as a vehicle for carrying flavour. You can pack it flavour - we go to NYTimes, 101 Cookbooks or ABC Everyday for inspro.
Tempeh: Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that is rich in protein and has a nutty flavour. It's great for grilling, sautéing, or crumbling into dishes. If you can find the fresh Indo variety you'll love it.
Seitan: Seitan, also known as wheat gluten or wheat meat, is a high-protein meat substitute. It can be used in a variety of savoury dishes, often with a meat-like texture. We love Suzy Spoons for Inner West locally made with less processing as a lot of the seitan you see can be really really processed which should be minimised.
Greek & Skyr Yogurt: Greek yogurt is higher in protein compared to regular yogurt and makes an excellent breakfast or snack option. You can also use it in smoothies and dressings, a dollop on the dal.
Eggs: Eggs are a complete protein source and can be prepared in many ways, such as boiled, scrambled, or in omelettes.
Quinoa: Quinoa is a grain that's a complete protein source, making it an excellent choice for vegetarian diets. It can be used as a base for salads, side dishes, or main courses. But lets be clear, it isn't a protein replacement - it has some protein, and a full amino acid spectrum BUT eating quinoa alone will not even you enough protein if you're only getting it from plant-based options. Its like a good addition.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, peanuts, chia seeds, and hemp seeds are all rich in protein. They can be eaten as snacks or added to smoothies, porridge, and baked goods. (I recommend Flax and walnuts for healthy omegas as well!)
Edamame: Edamame are young soybeans and a great plant-based protein source. They can be enjoyed as a snack or added to salads and stir-fries.
Paneer & Haloumi: Paneer is a fresh Indian cheese with a high protein content. It's commonly used in various Indian dishes and can be grilled or added to curries.
Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is a vegan-friendly source of protein and has a cheesy flavour. It can be sprinkled on top of dishes or used to make dairy-free sauces.
Leafy Greens: While not as protein-dense as other options, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens still contain some protein and are nutritious additions to your meals.
Remember that a balanced vegetarian diet should include a variety of these protein sources along with a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats to ensure you get all the essential nutrients your body needs.
