For years, managing IBS has been a game of trial and error. You cut out foods, try supplements, and maybe see progress—only for symptoms to return unexpectedly. But what if IBS treatment was as individual as your fingerprint? 🧬 AI-Powered Diets – The End of Food Guesswork? We all know about the Low FODMAP Diet, but it has its flaws - it’s restrictive, hard to follow, and doesn’t work for everyone. Scientists recently tested an AI-powered diet that analyses gut bacteria and creates a meal plan based on what your digestive system actually needs. The study found: ✅ Reduced bloating, diarrhoea, and gut pain ✅ Improved gut bacteria diversity (a sign of better gut health) ✅ Sustained symptom relief - without excessive food restrictions While AI can help personalise food choices, gut health is far more complex than an algorithm alone can solve. IBS often requires a mix of dietary, lifestyle, and gut-brain interventions for lasting change. 🔬 Gut Testing – A Step Towards Personalised Treatment? One of the biggest frustrations with IBS is that treatments feel random—what works for one person might not work for another. Researchers are now using breath and stool tests to uncover specific imbalances in IBS patients. These tests can measure: 🦠 Gut bacteria balance – IBS-D sufferers may have too much hydrogen sulphide gas, driving diarrhoea. Others might have bile acid malabsorption, which needs a totally different treatment approach. 🟢 Bile acid absorption – Around 30% of IBS-D cases are misdiagnosed and are actually bile acid diarrhoea. These cases need bile acid binders, not probiotics or restrictive diets. ⚠️ Post-infectious markers – If IBS started after food poisoning, lingering nerve damage might be the issue, meaning gut repair should be the focus, rather than just symptom relief. 💭 What This Means for You While these tests are promising, they are not yet mainstream and can be costly. However, many IBS triggers can already be identified through structured symptom tracking and dietary analysis. Whether using advanced gut testing or a systematic approach to food and lifestyle changes, the key to long-term relief is understanding what’s driving your symptoms.

🌱 Have you heard of Glutamine? Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid naturally present in the body. It plays a key role in supporting gut health and has gained attention for its potential benefits in managing IBS symptoms. 🧪 How Glutamine Works Glutamine supports the body in several ways: ✅ Promotes New Cell Growth – Encourages the regeneration of healthy cells ✅ Decreases Intestinal Permeability – Helps prevent “leaky gut” ✅ Suppresses Inflammation – Exhibits antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation 💡 Glutamine and IBS For individuals with IBS-D, low levels of glutamine synthetase (an enzyme that helps break down glutamine) may contribute to increased intestinal permeability, leading to more frequent diarrhoea. Glutamine also influences gut microbiota by altering the gut environment. 📊 Research Findings A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that 15g of glutamine powder daily for 6 weeks, alongside a low FODMAP diet, significantly reduced IBS symptoms. Participants reported: ✔️ Improved quality of life ✔️ Better stool consistency ✔️ More regular bowel movements 📝 Additional Studies 🔬 In 2018, a study published in Gut found that 5g of glutamine twice daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced symptoms in post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS) patients. 🤔 Should You Consider Glutamine for IBS? If you’re thinking about trying glutamine for IBS relief, it’s best to consult with a nutritionist first. Individuals with kidney disease, liver disease, or Reye’s syndrome should exercise caution. If you're wondering if it can work for you, then book a call with me here, and let's chat about it!

Managing IBS can feel like a balancing act, and sometimes, unexpected foods and drinks can trigger symptoms. Here are some everyday culprits that might be affecting your gut health. ☕ Coffee - Many rely on coffee to start their day, but caffeine can stimulate the intestines, leading to diarrhoea, cramping, or bloating in some IBS sufferers. 🍷 Alcohol - Alcohol, particularly beer and certain wines, can contribute to bloating and diarrhoea. Spirits may also cause digestive distress. 🍬 Artificial Sweeteners - Found in diet or sugar-free products, sweeteners like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol can have a laxative effect, worsening diarrhoea. 🧄 Onions and Garlic - High in fructans, these common ingredients can be tough to digest and may lead to bloating and gas. 🌶️ Spicy Foods - Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chilli peppers, can irritate the gut, triggering pain and diarrhoea. 🥬 Kale - Despite its health benefits, kale’s high insoluble fibre content can lead to bloating, gas, and loose stools in IBS sufferers. 🥛 Dairy - A well-known trigger, dairy can exacerbate IBS symptoms, especially for those with lactose intolerance. 🥜 Beans and Lentils - Rich in fibre, beans and lentils can cause bloating and gas. Cooking them thoroughly or using canned versions may help. 📖 Identifying triggers is personal - what affects one person may not affect another. Keeping a food diary or following an elimination diet with professional guidance can help pinpoint your specific triggers. Do you find any of these trigger your symptoms?

As someone who has personally navigated the challenges of IBS, I know firsthand how interconnected sleep and digestive health truly are. IBS isn’t just about what we eat—it’s also heavily influenced by sleep quality. Addressing sleep disturbances can be a game-changer for managing symptoms. 🧠 The Gut-Brain-Sleep Connection: The gut and brain are deeply interwoven, forming what’s known as the gut-brain axis. This system regulates digestion, mood, stress, and sleep. Poor sleep doesn’t just affect your brain - it also disrupts your gut microbiome 🦠. 🔹 Two nights of poor sleep can increase gut sensitivity, worsening IBS symptoms like bloating, pain, and irregular bowel movements. 🔹 Fragmented sleep heightens pain perception and further overstimulates gut nerves. 🔹 Gut bacteria influence sleep by producing serotonin, which helps regulate melatonin (the sleep hormone). An imbalanced gut microbiome, common in IBS, can therefore disrupt sleep cycles. 😴 How Poor Sleep Worsens IBS: Sleep isn’t just about rest, it’s when your body repairs and restores itself, including the gut! Disrupted sleep cycles can: 🚨 Increase gut sensitivity – leading to cramping and diarrhoea. ⚡ Heighten stress levels – worsening IBS through the gut-brain axis. 🥴 Slow digestion – causing bloating and constipation. 🛌 Establishing an IBS-Friendly Sleep Routine: Improving sleep while managing IBS requires a holistic approach. Here’s how you can optimize your sleep routine: 1️⃣ Stick to a Sleep Schedule ⏰ Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily—even on weekends! A consistent rhythm improves digestion and sleep quality. 2️⃣ Eat Smart Before Bed 🚫 Avoid large, high-fat, or spicy meals within 3 hours of bedtime. 📍 If you experience acid reflux, elevate your head slightly while sleeping. 3️⃣ Manage Stress Before Sleep 🧘 Try progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, or meditation before bed to lower stress and promote better sleep. 🌙 Tips for Better Sleep: 🔹 Limit Stimulants – Avoid caffeine & alcohol in the evening. Alcohol can irritate the gut and worsen IBS symptoms.