We can help you identify and address the underlying cause of your gut issues so you can live a symptom-free life.
Client Conversations
Conversations with those we’ve already helped.
Rebecca
Rebecca’s symptoms of IBS started after taking antibiotics for tonsillitis. She cut out foods and introduced supplements by herself, but her symptoms continued.
With our support, Rebecca is now symptom-free.
Geri
Geri’s gut issues started decades ago. After several trips to her GP, treatment for H Pylori and even the removal of her gallbladder she was still experiencing symptoms.
Since working with us, Geri’s symptoms have stopped.
Stella
Stella’s digestive problems started gradually. This led her to cut foods one at a time and survive on an increasingly restrictive and bland diet. Even with doing this, she was still experiencing symptoms.
Stella can now eat a varied diet without experiencing gut issues.
The IBS & Gut Health Clinic
Take back control of your gut health
The symptoms of IBS include bloating, cramping and changes in bowel patterns (such as constipation and diarrhoea).
They can appear gradually over several months or in some cases overnight. This can lead you to cut foods out or try supplements you’ve found online.
Instead of using medications or restrictive diets to suppress these symptoms, we can help you address the root cause so you can live a symptom-free life.
Support includes:
Addressing the root cause
Personalised plans
Evidence-based supplements
Lifestyle support
IBS Nutritional Therapists
Gut health tests
Meal plans
Support between consultations
Did you know?
Root Causes of IBS
Underlying imbalances in the gut can lead to the symptoms of IBS. While symptom management strategies can be important, our aim is to resolve the underlying issue.
Our comprehensive intake process assesses the underlying factors that are contributing to your symptoms. From this, we create a personalised treatment plan for you to follow.
Causes of IBS can include:
Dysbiosis
Alterations in the balance of the gut microbiome can lead to bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhoea as well as food intolerances.
These imbalances may be in the small or large intestine and can be caused by factors such as long-term dietary patterns or the use of antibiotics.
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
SIBO refers to an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This can be one of the main causes of IBS symptoms.
Risk factors for developing SIBO include food poisoning, gastroenteritis, the use of certain medications as well as thyroid issues.
Food Poisoning & Gastroenteritis
Events of food poisoning, travellers’ diarrhoea and gastroenteritis can increase the risk of developing IBS by 600% over the following 2-3 years (1).
This can be due to an ongoing low-level inflammatory response within the gut wall that contributes to the ongoing nature of IBS symptoms.
IBS that started this way is referred to as post-infectious IBS.
Food Intolerances
It is possible for food reactions to be the result of changes in the gut microbiome or an overactive immune response.
Assessing how you are responding to foods can help us personalise your treatment plan.
Visceral Hypersensitivity
Increased nerve sensitivity along the lining of the digestive tract can be responsible for specific IBS symptoms.
This can include pain, discomfort and the sensation of increased pressure in the abdomen.
Gut-brain Connection
Increased levels of stress or strain on the central nervous system may impact digestive health and function.
Even once this stress has resolved, symptoms may continue that we can work to address.
Underlying Causes
Underlying imbalances in the gut can lead to the symptoms of IBS. While symptom management strategies can be important, our aim is to resolve the underlying issue.
Personalised Treatment
Our comprehensive intake process assesses the underlying factors that are contributing to your symptoms. From this, we create a personalised treatment plan for you to follow.
Ongoing Support
Our consultations also include regular support and monitoring of your symptoms. This allows us to review your response and make relevant adjustments to the treatment plan.
Nutritional Therapist & Gut Health Specialist
Martin Cohen
Dip CNM, mBANT, mCNHC
Having graduated from The College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2015, Martin founded The IBS & Gut Health Clinic. This was born from the understanding that many people with digestive issues have not received the care they require through other avenues.
His passion is to address the underlying reasons for digestive complaints and to help his clients reach a symptom-free life.
Martin Cohen
Registered Nutritional Therapist, Clinic Director
How We Can Support You
Our care and support process is focused on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms. We also provide support and guidance throughout the consultation process by reviewing and modifying the program as we progress.
Our areas of focus include:
A free eBook to get you started
How To Beat the Bloat
Learn about the main causes of bloating and understand what might be causing your digestive issues.
- The best tools for beating the bloat
- Why many approaches may not work
- Addressing the most common causes of bloating
Your Next Step
Learn about our consultations
Follow the link to learn more about our consultations and how we can support you.
Book a free call with a practitioner
We offer free 15-minute consultations where we’ll review your symptoms and answer any questions.
IBS and SIBO
Are there different types of IBS?
IBS is an umbrella term that describes someone’s symptoms. Within this, there are 4 subtypes of IBS. IBS with diarrhoea, IBS with constipation, IBS with a mix between the 2 and IBS with unclassified bowel movements.
Even though these subtypes give a clearer indication of someone’s symptoms, they go no further to inform us what the underlying issue is.
If you have a diagnosis of IBS we will work to identify and address the underlying issue with the aim of resolving your symptoms.
Are there different types of SIBO?
The SIBO tests measure 2 types of gas, hydrogen and methane. If there are elevations in 1 of these gases, we can name that Hydrogen or Methane SIBO. It’s also possible to have elevations in both gases.
The type of gas that is elevated helps to guide supplement protocols to target the specific organisms that produce that type of gas.
A third type of gas, hydrogen sulfide, can also be produced by gut bacteria. However, it is not currently possible to test for this gas in the UK.
Are supplements needed to address SIBO?
There are 3 components to a supplement protocol to address the elevated bacteria in SIBO. These can include a combination of probiotics, prebiotics, and antimicrobial herbs.
Depending on the underlying issue (eg. the reasons why the bacteria are there in the first place), additional supplements may be suggested.
Can SIBO be cured?
SIBO is a bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine with several underlying causes. If we address the underlying cause we are aiming to fully resolve symptoms.
Is the SIBO breath test available on the NHS?
This SIBO test may be offered through the NHS, however, it’s not uncommon for the waiting time for this test to be several months.
By ordering directly from the laboratory, we are able to have the test sent to your home within 3-5 days. The results will be back 7-10 days after the laboratory has received the samples.
To read more about the tests that we often consider, click here.
Supplements
Will supplements be needed?
Supplements are not always needed and their requirement depends on your individual case.
We will discuss appropriate options with you at your first consultation.
How long do supplements need to be taken for?
The duration of a supplement protocol will vary on your symptoms, the underlying imbalance and any additional factors that may be contributing to your digestive issues.
Generally speaking, 8 weeks is an average time to be on a specific supplement protocol. Following this, a maintenance protocol may be recommended.
What kind of supplements do you recommend?
The supplements we recommend vary depending on your specific situation and set of symptoms. Common recommendations include probiotics, specific herbal extracts to help rebalance and modify the gut bacteria as well as beneficial, gut-friendly prebiotics.
We direct you to the specific supplements and brands that we know and trust.
Qualifications
Are you Doctors?
We are not doctors and can therefore not officially diagnose your condition.
However, as with the diagnosis of IBS, labels may not always be helpful. By digging deeper and identifying and addressing the underlying imbalances we aim to bring symptoms under control.
Consultations
What do the consultations involve?
The initial consultation is 90 minutes long. Here we talk about your symptoms in depth, how and when they started, other contributing factors as well as your current diet and lifestyle.
From this consultation, you will receive your health plan. This will include detailed dietary suggestions, a supplement protocol, recommendations for further testing as well and appropriate lifestyle recommendations.
From this point, we suggest a follow-up appointment every 4-6 weeks to monitor progress and update your health plan.
How do I book the consultations?
We find many people can have questions about the approach we take. This is why we offer free 15-minute consultations which can be booked by clicking here.
It is also possible to book for the first in-depth consultation without booking the 15-minute consultation by clicking here.
For more information on the consultations and what is included please click here.
Is this the right approach for me?
We understand this can feel like a big step and you might not be sure if this is the right approach.
To watch interviews with previous clients click here.
We also offer free 15-minute consultations. This is an initial assessment with one of the team where we will explain our consultation process and answer any questions you may have. You can book this here.
How many consultations will I need?
Without knowing more about your specific symptoms this is a hard question to answer.
However, generally speaking, the majority of those that we support typically need 3 consultations, over a 2-3 month period. In more complex cases, longer-term support is also provided.
How quickly will I see results?
There are several approaches that often offer symptom relief over a matter of days. While these are not long-term approaches, they can be a way to help ease symptoms and help you feel more comfortable as the underlying issues are identified and addressed.
Alongside these short-term interventions to calm symptoms, we are working to address the underlying issues.
The metric of progress that we use is wanting to see a significant improvement over the treatment window (the time being consultations).
