is involved in optimum absorption and assimilation of nutrients from food. Our gut, the gastrointestinal mucosal membrane surface, is the largest interface between our internal body and the external world and up to 80% of our immune system is located there monitoring everything we consume.

We have our microbiome, the beneficial gut bacteria in the Gastro Intestinal (GI) tract aids the intestinal immune system, breaking our food into nutrients, blocking the bad bacteria, and promoting a healthy intestinal lining.

Digestion begins in the mouth with enzymes secreted by the salivary glands but the majority of digestion occurs in the stomach using Hydrochloric Acid (HCL).

Often (usually in times of stress or older age) people don’t make adequate HCL and hence can’t properly breakdown their food and this creates many problems further down in our GI tract like bloating from undigested and fermenting food molecules.

The digested molecules of food are absorbed through the small intestine and nano particles are transported throughout our body for energy and repair.

In a healthy intestinal tract, the intestines tight junctions limit the transport of large molecules across the epithelium gut barrier. In an unhealthy intestine the tight junctions become ‘leaky’ and these large molecules can slip into circulation causing health issues and diseases.

A careful balance of gut bacteria also promotes metabolic and hormone balance as well as inhibiting the growth of pathogenic (disease forming) bacteria, yeasts and parasites.  Alternations in gut bacteria may lead to changes in digestive function and health and typical signs of an unhealthy gut are usually ongoing smelly poo and wind!

As a Nutritional Therapist, I will be focusing on investigating any digestive issues and optimising gut function using food, supplements and other lifestyle interventions.