Over the last 7 to 8 years, our understanding of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has shifted dramatically. IBS was once viewed purely as a “functional gastrointestinal disorder,” but research over the past two decades now favours a more nuanced picture: one centred around gut–brain interaction.
This evolving evidence highlights why working with an IBS Nutritionist can be so effective - IBS isn’t isolated to one body system. Your gut, brain, hormones, immune function, stress levels and daily habits are all interconnected. This further supports the need for a holistic, evidence-based approach when treating IBS, rather than looking at your symptoms in isolation.
Based between London and Cambridge and living with coeliac disease myself, I understand what it feels like to navigate confusing digestive symptoms, push for answers, and feel dismissed. That’s part of what drives my work today. If you’d like to learn more about my story, you can read it over on my About page.
If you’re ready to get clarity on your symptoms, I’d love to support you. I work with clients across London, Cambridge, and the wider UK through my online clinic - you can book a free discovery call to get started.
Common IBS Symptoms (It’s Not Just Your Gut)
As an IBS Nutritionist I see a wide variety of symptoms come through my clinic. People often think IBS is only about bloating or stomach pain; but it affects a whole spectrum of body systems.
Digestive Symptoms
These can vary from person to person and even from day to day:
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- alternating between the two
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- gas / wind
- urgency and needing a toilet close by
- feeling unsure about what’s “coming next”
Whole-Body Symptoms
IBS is a gut issue, but it can show up elsewhere:
- skin flare-ups
- hormonal imbalances
- PMS
- fatigue
- brain fog
A Note on Stool Type (Yes, We’re Going There)
One thing I see often in clinic is clients saying they have “no gut issues”… until we look at the Bristol Stool Chart together.
You’d be surprised how many people don’t realise their stool shape or consistency isn’t actually ideal; because honestly, who teaches us this stuff?
Your symptoms and your stool patterns give us valuable information about what’s happening inside.
Diagnosis: What’s Really Going On In Your Gut?
IBS is what we call a “diagnosis of exclusion.” This means there isn’t one specific test that confirms it. Instead, IBS is diagnosed when other conditions - like coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or infections - are ruled out.
While this process is important, it can also leave many people without clarity. You might be told “everything looks normal” even though your symptoms are very real. This is where the frustration often begins. Clients come to me after years of feeling dismissed or stuck, knowing something isn’t right but not being given the tools to understand why.
Working with a Nutritionist for IBS helps bridge that gap. Instead of stopping at “normal,” we look deeper. Gut testing allows us to assess what traditional tests can’t see - things like bacterial balance, digestion, absorption, inflammation markers and the health of your microbiome.
This gives us meaningful data to work with, rather than leaving you to manage symptoms without answers.
Here are some of the most common findings:
SIBO
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth - where excessive unfriendly bacteria grow in the small intestine.
SIFO
Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth - similar concept, but with yeast or fungi.
Leaky Gut
A compromised intestinal lining that allows particles to pass through, potentially triggering inflammation and immune responses.
Dysbiosis
An imbalance between beneficial and opportunistic bacteria in the gut microbiome.
Treatment: No Two Gut Protocols Are Ever The Same
Your gut health is influenced by your diet, lifestyle, stress levels, hormones, sleep, movement, and even your environment. That’s why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all gut plans.
My approach is:
- completely personalised
- symptom-led
- data-driven and evidence-based
- grounded in a food-first philosophy
Supplements can help and if they’re needed, I’ll use them; but I’ll never recommend unnecessary products. They’re there to support the plan, not replace it.
Together, we build a protocol that feels realistic, sustainable, and right for you and your body.
If You’re Struggling With Gut Symptoms, I’d Love to Support You
My 4-week and 12-week Gut Testing & Insights Packages are designed to give you clarity, evidence-based recommendations, and personalised support. The 4 week package includes an initial consult, a gut test delivered to your door (worth £300) and a results review session. The 12 week includes everything from the 4 week and then four additional follow up consults.