Is it weird we want to know about your poop?

Not really - when you see a naturopath or nutritionist we ask a lot of questions and often we'll want to know all about your digestion.

Even if you're main concern for seeing one of our practitioners has nothing to do with digestion - we are still going to ask whats going on in the bathroom.

So - grab this free Poop tracker and lets explore whats going on with your digestion?

Ready to explore the world of gut health with out Gut Loving Smoothie Recipe? Let's dive into the foundation of your well-being – your gut. It's time to listen and nurture, starting from the inside out. Here's your roadmap to a thriving gut microbiome, crafted in true New Leaf style.

Gut Disorders can look like many different things - Reflux, Constipation, SIBO, Mood disorders, bloating - there are specific treatments for all of these - but working on slowly increasing plant-based food diversity is a great start, like our Gut Loving Smoothie Recipe below. Including these foods will help you poop better!

What foods help with gut health?

How Can I Improve My Gut Health?

Embrace Variety:

Your gut loves a diverse diet as much as you love a good playlist.

Go Plant-Based (Mostly)

Think of animal products as a supporting act, not the headliner.

Befriend Fermentation

Yoghurt, kefir, and kombucha are your gut's new pals.

Cool It on the FODMAPs

If your gut's feeling sensitive, ease up on these fermentable carbs. BUT - if you fix your gut you will not need to be on a FODMAP diet forever... know which ones impact your digestion, and slowly slowly slowly reintroduce them. If you have SIBO you may need specific treatments to support your journey.

Find Your Balance

Moderation in fats and proteins keeps your inner ecosystem humming.

What's the Secret Sauce to Gut Health Success?

Remember, your gut is as unique as you are. It's not about perfection; it's about progress. Listen to your body, be gentle with yourself, and celebrate the small wins. Your gut will thank you, and you might just meet your favourite self along the way.

Ready to dive deeper into your gut health journey? Let's collaborate on a plan that's as individual as you are. Because at New Leaf, we believe that when you understand yourself, you become the expert in the most important subject – you.

 

Gut Loving Smoothie Recipe:

Don't like smoothies, or berries or yogurt - chat to us about how we can fix your gut with food!

What foods can improve gut health? how can a naturopath improve my gut health? What is IBS? Telehealth naturopath in New South Wales Australia
 

As naturopaths in Australia, we often encounter questions about the intricate relationship between gut health and skin conditions. Let's explore some common queries and shed light on this fascinating connection.

Q: What is the skin microbiome, and how does it compare to the gut microbiome?

As naturopaths at New Leaf Naturopathic Health, we're here to explain this complex topic. The skin microbiome is a diverse community of microorganisms living on your skin, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even tiny mites. It's quite different from the gut microbiome in several ways:

  1. Oxygen lovers: Most skin bacteria are aerobic, meaning they thrive in oxygen-rich environments. This is unlike gut bacteria, which prefer an oxygen-free setting.
  2. Location diversity: The types of microbes vary depending on the body part. For example, the microbes on your hands differ from those in your armpits.
  3. Environmental influence: The skin microbiome is more exposed to external factors and can change more readily based on your environment.

Q: How does the skin microbiome develop?

The skin microbiome, like the gut microbiome, begins developing at birth. Its development is influenced by various factors, including:

Q: Does the skin microbiome change over time?

Absolutely! The skin microbiome evolves throughout your life. For instance:

Q: How does my gut health affect my skin?

Your gut and skin are more closely connected than you might think. The gut-skin axis is a communication pathway where changes in one can significantly influence the health of the other. When your gut microbiome is imbalanced, it can lead to chronic inflammation that may manifest as skin issues like acne, eczema, or psoriasis.

Q: Can what I eat really show up on my skin?

Absolutely! Your diet plays a crucial role in both gut and skin health. A diet high in sugar and dairy can lead to acne, while one rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts – like the Mediterranean diet – supports a healthy gut, reduces inflammation, and can improve skin health.

Q: Are probiotics good for my skin?

Yes, probiotics can be beneficial for your skin. Some skincare products now include prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to help balance the skin's natural microbiome. Additionally, oral probiotics can help balance the gut microbiome, reduce inflammation, and improve skin conditions.

Q: What about pre, pro, and postbiotics for skin health?

This is an exciting area of research. Here's what we know so far:

Dr Le Poole, an expert in the field, notes: "Most of the focus has been on the skin microbiome, especially when skin integrity is compromised, as in atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. It is surprising that the gut microbiome has not received as much attention, given its potential role".

Q: How does stress affect my skin and gut?

Stress can have a significant impact on both your skin and gut. It can disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome and lead to skin issues. Practicing relaxation techniques can help manage stress and potentially improve both gut and skin health.

Q: What's the link between gut health and specific skin conditions?

Several skin conditions have been linked to gut health:

Q: How can I support both my gut and skin health naturally?

As a naturopath, I recommend a wholistic approach:

  1. Eat a colourful diet: Focus on whole foods, rich in fruits, vegetables, and loads of plant-based foods. (Download our free resource on the best gut microbiome foods!
  2. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is crucial for both gut and skin health.
  3. Manage stress: Incorporate stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga into your routine.
  4. Consider probiotics: Speak with your practitioner to find the best probiotic for you - not all probiotics are made equally, so you want to make sure that the evidence is behind the one you choose. Are probiotics magic? We'd say no.
  5. Protect your skin: Use sunscreen and adopt healthy sun habits to protect your skin from UV damage. Sometimes using less skin care products means better results - focus on a few simple topical skin care options, rather than throwing the kitchen skin at it.

Q: Can improving my gut health really make my skin look better?

While individual results may vary, research suggests that improving gut health can indeed have positive effects on skin appearance and health. By supporting a balanced gut microbiome, you're potentially reducing inflammation throughout your body, which can manifest as clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Remember, everyone's body is unique. At New Leaf Naturopathic Health, we're here to help you understand your individual gut-skin connection and develop a personalised plan to support your overall health and wellbeing. If you're experiencing persistent skin issues, it's always best to consult with one of our practitioners for personalised advice.

Q: How does diet impact skin health?

Your diet plays a significant role in skin health. Here's what to keep in mind:

Why This Matters for Your Health

At New Leaf Naturopathic Health, we understand that both your skin and gut microbiomes play crucial roles in your overall health. By nurturing these microbial communities, we can help you achieve balance from the inside out.

Key Takeaways:

Remember, your body is an interconnected system. By supporting your skin and gut health through natural, holistic approaches, we can help you unlock your body's innate healing potential. If you're curious about how to optimise your microbiomes for better health, we're here to guide you on your wellness journey.

One of the most common conditions we see impacting the upper digestive tract is Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD or GERD) – in other words, reflux, which can present in a variety of different ways. For many this is the feeling of their stomach acid coming back up into their chest and throat and burning all the way! Usually after a meal. It can also present as a feeling of regurgitation, a chronic cough, bad breath, sore throat, post-nasal drip and constant having to ‘hemm’ to clear mucus from the throat, chronic laryngitis or dental erosions.

Two Types of GORD

GORD is categorised into two types, the first being where the stomach acid is causing damage to the mucosa; or the type where the symptoms are the same but there is no mucosal damage – called NERD (Non-Erosive Reflux Disease). In the case of GORD, ongoing damage can result in ulcers, scarring and narrowing of the oesophagus, or cellular changes leading to a potentially pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus.

What causes GORD?

In both cases, there may be a variety of causative factors and there are also some stand-out risk factors as well. These include:

Along with removing or minimising as many of these risk factors as possible, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with soothing demulcent herbs, whilst identifying other potential drivers such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Coeliac disease and so on.

Reduce the symptoms of GORD & Reflux

Decreasing oesophageal inflammation and promoting healing of the mucosa is also paramount, and herbal teas can be invaluable here as a gentle herbal medicine option that exposes the tissues directly to healing herbs. We recommend looking at herbal teas as part of a natural solutions GORD & Reflux, herbal teas such as:

Natural Solutions GORD & Reflux?

Ensuring the diet is high in antioxidants is also key to decreasing inflammation and helping to heal damaged mucosa, so much so that an individual’s levels of oxidative stress dictate the levels of mucosal damage that are able to occur. So, lots of different coloured fruits and vegetables are a must! There are Natural Solutions GORD & Reflux - so speak with us today to learn how we can help!

There is so much that can be done to address this uncomfortable and potentially damaging condition, not least of which is getting to the root cause of what is going on and addressing this whilst concurrently soothing and minimising symptoms. Book your appointment today to start to fix your gut health. Hannah is has qualifications in advanced microbiome support from the Microbiome Restoration Centre.

It was hosted by Jason Hawrelak from the Microbiome Restoration Centre - who is an incredible practitioner and a pretty excellent teacher. Here Hannah talks about all things Naturopathic Digestive Health with fellow practitioner Bronwyn.

They loved every minute of it and decided to do a little video on everything they learnt. Well, maybe not everything, but a few key important things.

You can have a watch here

 

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