Gut Health Clinic
Gut Health Clinic is designed to help you improve digestion, energy and overall health, so you can feel like yourself again.
Gut Health Clinic – Nutritional Therapist
At our Gut Health Clinic, we specialise in helping women over 50 improve the function of their digestive system.
Gut function is the foundation of our health – impacting everything from digestion and energy levels to your immune system, brain function, and mood. So when you improve your digestion, you improve your overall health too.
We have created a gut health clinic just for you…
- Struggling with digestive issues? Poor gut health might be the reason.
- Bloating & constipation spoiling your day? Your microbiome may be to blame.
- Waistline stubbornly growing? Hormonal imbalances could be the culprit.
- Feeling moody or anxious? Your gut health plays a huge role in your mental well-being.
- Tired a lot of the time? Your blood sugars may be fluctuating too much.
- Certain foods don’t agree with you? Food sensitivities & intolerances are a common cause.
- Been diagnosed with IBS? Certain foods and gut bacteria contribute to this condition.
The gut health Clinic – the package
What is the Gut Health Package?
A one-to-one, online service consisting of 3 appointments.
Your investment – £345.
Complimentary consultation
Secure online client portal
You’ll have access to me via your own client portal, where we can privately & securely message each other and you’ll find your personal plan, resources, trackers and support in one place.
3 months support
You’ll have the guidance, support and accountability of Dawn, ensuring you stay on track and achieve your goals.
HEALTH CONCERNS ADDRESSED
- Digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, reflux, bloating, flatulence
- Food sensitivities and intolerances
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Lack of energy and tiredness
- Rising blood sugars
- Best diet choice for you
- Dysbiosis – microbiome imbalances
Session 1 – In this 90 minute session we’ll delve into your health history, concerns, and goals.
I’ll analyse and explain how your diet and lifestyle may be causing your symptoms.
I may suggest optional gut health testing, food sensitivity or intolerance testing.
I’ll give you the diet, supplement and lifestyle advice to address your goals concerns, and body systems that need support.
Session 2 – After the first 4 weeks, you’ll have a second session.
We start with a review of your progress and explanation of any tests results.
Successes will be celebrated and obstacles tackled.
We’ll layer in the next level of improvements to your diet plan and also help you build daily exercise, sleep and stress management habits that will bring long-term results and lasting symptom relief.
Session 3 – In your last session we’ll review everything to date.
I’ll recommend the final diet and lifestyle adjustments you can make – the icing on the cake!
We’ll make any adjustments to your supplement plan.
We’ll also agree on a plan to help you maintain new habits and prevent old ones creeping bak in to ensure your long-term success.
Hello, I’m Dawn
I’m here to show you how to create balanced, nourishing meals that are full of the nutrients your body needs to keep tip-top!
Through our work together, you’ll learn how to make meals that use foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, prebiotics, and beneficial bacteria – the ingredients that promote lasting health from the inside out.
I use medically designed therapeutic food plans from the Institute of Functional Medicine, having completed their Advanced Gastrointestinal Module in 2024.
The Mature Gut: Key Changes
As we age, our digestive system goes through a variety of changes that can affect how we break down food, absorb nutrients, and maintain a balanced gut microbiome. Understanding these changes is crucial to adapting our diet and lifestyle for better digestion and overall health. Here are some of those changes:
Reduced digestive juices:
As we age, stomach acid and enzyme production decline, making it harder to digest food, like animal proteins and fats.
Decreased pancreatic function:
The pancreas becomes less efficient at regulating blood sugar and producing digestive enzymes, affecting blood sugar regulation and increasing the risk of diabetes.
Impaired nutrient absorption:
Aging reduces the small intestine’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin B12, often leading to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
Changes in gut microbiome:
The balance of bacteria in the gut shifts, decreasing beneficial bacteria and increasing inflammation, which impacts digestion and immunity.
Constipation and digestive disorders:
Slower gut transit, dehydration and reduced fibre intake lead to more frequent constipation and the development of conditions like GERD and diverticulitis.
Changing macronutrient needs:
As muscle mass declines, protein needs increase. Adequate protein intake is crucial for building new cells and supporting good immune function.
Gastroenterologist’s role:
Aging increases the need for medical screenings like endoscopies and colonoscopies to detect and manage digestive issues like GERD or bowel disorders. Any unresolving pain or symptoms must be checked by a gastroenterologist.
Gut Health Clinic Testimonials
Helped profoundly
Holistic, scientific and effective! I couldn’t recommend Dawn more highly! Dawn has been an utterly professional nutritionist and helped me profoundly on my journey to wards a healthy gut. Dawn’s kind-hearted and personable approach, paired with an unparalleled knowledge of gut health, has accelerated my healing process beyond expectation. Dawn efficiently assisted testing processes that led to direct results that finally allowed me to understand my specific condition.
A huge thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you Dawn for all your support and knowledge, none of this I could have done without you!
It’s been over 10 years suffering with ibs and now I’ve no pain and the best I’ve felt in a very long time!
A huge thank you 🙏🏻
I highly recommend Dawn
Amazing changes
Dawn quickly established that I was gluten intolerant and also consuming far too much refined carbohydrate. She provided me with a radically altered diet that was easy to follow as well as enjoyable. My symptoms rapidly disappeared, and over the last three months I have seen truly amazing changes in my body composition. As well as losing significant amounts of body fat, my muscle mass has increased substantially.
Advanced Gut Testing
A highly valuable assessment of complete gut health, uncovering the root cause of most GI complaints.
Testing provides information on inflammation, gut lining integrity, how well you digest and absorb your food and other important medical gut markers. Uncovers imbalances in yeast, parasites, healthy and unhealthy bacteria that live in the large intestine.
Identifying abnormalities through private laboratory testing allows me to develop a highly targeted plan for your symptoms.
Test price £375. (Not included in the package price).
Healthy Eating Week?
Healthy Eating Week is a education programme promoted by the British Nutrition Foundation.
I share some science-based recommendations for food, nutrients and diets that will help women like you, stay healthy. Use my food pyramid to help you pile your plate with the best foods in the right amounts.
Microbiome Testing
Microbiome testing is growing in popularity and is valuable tool for understanding your gut health.
Over the past decade, our understanding of the microbiome has grown exponentially, with studies showing that a healthy microbiome influences not only digestion but also immunity and mental health.
What is mood food?
Mood food typically refers to foods that are known to have a positive impact on an individual’s mood.
These foods generally contain specific nutrients that can help to boost brain function, enhance mood, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety & depression, and perhaps even foods to prevent dementia.
GUT HEALTH CLINIC FAQ’s
What is gut health? And why is it important?
A healthy gut allows you to digest food efficiently, absorb nutrients, and prevent inflammation and infection. It also helps regulate important bodily functions like blood sugar control, hormone balance, and energy levels. On the other hand, poor gut health can lead to digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and more complex conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Beyond digestion, an unhealthy gut can also contribute to fatigue, poor immune function, weight gain, and even mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Gut health also refers to the balance and function of the microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. These microorganisms—often called the gut microbiome—include bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and they play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and even your mood and mental health. When your gut is healthy, these microorganisms work in harmony to help your body function properly.
Optimizing gut health is not only essential for digestion but for overall well-being. By improving your gut, you’re supporting your immune system, boosting energy levels, and even influencing your emotional well-being.
Can gut health affect my skin? weight loss? anxiety, sleep?
Yes, gut health can significantly affect your skin, weight loss, anxiety, and sleep. An imbalance in your gut microbiome can lead to inflammation that shows up as skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea. Poor gut health also impacts weight management by affecting digestion, metabolism, and cravings. Additionally, your gut produces about 90% of the body’s serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation, which means it directly influences anxiety levels and sleep quality. Improving gut health often leads to improvements in these areas.
When Can I Expect to See Results?
- Short-Term (1-4 Weeks):
- You could notice improvements with the first week – better energy, mood, digestion, and sleep quality.
- Medium-Term (1-3 Months):
- Changes in weight, health markers (like blood sugar), and symptom relief may become more apparent.
- Long-Term (3-6 Months and Beyond):
- Sustainable lifestyle changes and long-term health improvements, especially for chronic conditions.
Note: These timelines are quite general and can vary greatly from person to person. Everyone’s response is different, so results may come at different rates based on individual factors and consistency with the plan.
Book your free, no-obligation call and we can explore the health challenges you are facing, the goals you want to achieve and how I may be able to help you.
What can a microbiome test tell me?
A microbiome test analyses your stool sample to identify the types and amounts of microbes living in your gut. Advanced laboratory technologies are used to detect these microorganisms. Testing prices can vary from £200-£450.
Tests report on beneficial bacteria (called commensals), harmful bacteria (pathogens), and neutral bacteria. A microbiome-only test (done yourself online) can identify the diversity, variety, and abundance of microorganisms within your gut. Some companies additionally offer food and probiotic recommendations via their apps.
A Comprehensive Stool Test (done by nutritional therapists & dieticians) similarly identifies your microbiome but additionally includes gut function markers to uncover the causes of potential symptoms you may be experiencing.
These typcially include:
- Pathogens: Checking for harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
- Yeasts and Fungi: Identifying overgrowths that might cause symptoms.
- Gut Function Markers: Measuring inflammation, digestive enzymes, immune responses (like secretory IgA), and gut permeability.
- Nutritional Markers: Assessing how well you digest and absorb nutrients, checking for malabsorption issues.
- Functional Markers: Such as calprotectin for inflammation and zonulin for gut permeability, a.k.a. “leaky gut” or increased intestinal permeability.
What if I have a diagnosed digestive condition, like IBS, IBD or coeliac disease?
If you have a diagnosed digestive condition like IBS, IBD or Coeliac disease, working on your gut health can still offer significant benefits. Nutritional therapy is tailored to support these conditions by addressing inflammation, balancing your gut microbiome, removing certain troublesome foods and improving digestion. For example, by modifying your diet, identifying potential triggers, and supporting your digestive system with targeted foods and supplements, you can reduce symptoms and improve your overall well-being. I work alongside your medical treatments to ensure a holistic, well-rounded approach to managing your digestive health.
Always consult with your healthcare provider, and we can create a personalized plan that complements your treatment.
What if I need more than 3 sessions?
The number of online sessions you’ll need depends on various factors, including your health goals, current condition, and how well you implement the recommendations. Typically:
- Initial Consultation: One session to assess your needs, create a personalised plan, and discuss initial steps.
- Follow-Up Sessions: Usually, 2 follow-up sessions over a few months to monitor progress, address any challenges, and adjust the plan as needed.
- Ongoing Maintenance: After achieving your initial goals, additional check-ins (e.g., every 3-6 months) may be beneficial for long-term support and adjustments.
The exact number will be tailored to your individual situation and goals.
Are Nutritional Supplements Recommended?
Nutritional supplements may be recommended depending on your individual needs and health goals. Here’s when they might be suggested:
- Deficiencies: If lab tests or dietary assessments reveal deficiencies in specific nutrients (e.g., vitamin D, iron), supplements may be recommended to address these gaps.
- Health Conditions: Certain health conditions may benefit from specific supplements (e.g., omega-3s for inflammation, probiotics for digestive health).
- Lifestyle Factors: Supplements might be suggested based on your lifestyle, such as high stress or dietary restrictions that impact nutrient intake.
The goal is to complement a balanced diet, not replace it. Supplements should be used as part of a holistic approach to health and always under professional guidance.
We can discuss the health challenges you’re facing, the goals you want to achieve, and how I can assist you in reaching them.
How do online consultations work?
To book an appointment for a Gut Health Package:
- Complete the Form: Register your interest by filling out the form provided.
- Receive a Response: I will respond promptly to schedule a complimentary online discussion call and book your appointment.
This initial call will help us discuss your needs and set up your sessions.