Gut

At The Goode Health Clinic, we specialise in supporting a wide range of gut health concerns, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and persistent digestive symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, and food intolerances.

Digestive disorders are among the most common health issues globally, yet they are often misunderstood or inadequately managed. Many clients come to us having struggled for years with unresolved gut symptoms that significantly impact their daily life, energy, and overall wellbeing.

We investigate gut health thoroughly, looking at digestive function, gut microbiome balance, gut barrier integrity, and immune reactivity within the gut. Common underlying contributors we identify include dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), chronic stress, poor digestion and absorption, food sensitivities, low stomach acid, gut infections, and chronic inflammation.

By addressing these root causes, we aim to calm inflammation, restore healthy digestion, rebalance the microbiome, and support a resilient gut–immune connection — ultimately helping you feel comfortable and energised again.

Gut Conditions

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    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):


    IBS is a functional digestive disorder characterised by symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhoea, or an alternating pattern of both. It often stems from gut–brain axis dysfunction, food sensitivities, and imbalances in the microbiome, and benefits from a highly personalised approach to identify and manage triggers.

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    Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD):


    Conditions like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are autoimmune-driven inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. They can cause chronic inflammation, pain, urgent bowel movements, and nutrient malabsorption. Supporting IBD requires a careful balance of immune regulation, gut barrier repair, and nutritional therapy to reduce flare-ups and maintain remission.

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    Microbiome Balance and Overgrowths:


    An imbalance of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria, or overgrowths such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Candida, can drive ongoing digestive symptoms, inflammation, and poor nutrient absorption. Restoring microbiome harmony is fundamental to resolving chronic gut issues and supporting long-term gut resilience.

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    Bloating and Weight Gain:

    Frequent bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort, weight gain or difficultly losing weight, are common complaints that can indicate underlying issues such as food intolerances, poor digestion, sluggish motility, or hidden infections. Identifying and addressing these root causes can help restore daily comfort and digestive confidence.

Gut Symptoms

Gut health issues can present in a variety of ways, both within the digestive system itself and throughout the entire body. Below are examples of the most common gut-related and whole-body symptoms we see linked to poor gut health…

DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS…

  • Bloating (frequent or after meals)

  • Excessive gas or belching

  • Abdominal pain or cramping

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhoea

  • Alternating constipation and diarrhoea

  • Urgent or incomplete bowel movements

  • Mucus in stools

  • Undigested food in stools

  • Foul-smelling stools or flatulence

  • Heartburn or acid reflux

  • Nausea or loss of appetite

  • Food intolerances or sensitivities

  • Feeling overly full after small meals

  • Poor digestion of fats (e.g., floating stools)

  • Unexplained weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight

WHOLE BODY SYMPTOMS…

  • Persistent fatigue or low energy

  • Brain fog or poor concentration

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Low mood, depression, or anxiety

  • Poor stress resilience

  • Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., iron, B12)

  • Poor immune function or frequent infections

  • Chronic inflammation

  • Joint pain or muscle aches

  • Skin issues (acne, eczema, rosacea, rashes)

  • Dark circles under the eyes

  • Bad breath (halitosis)

  • Hormonal imbalances (e.g., irregular periods, PMS)

  • Sleep disturbances or insomnia

  • Sugar cravings or blood sugar imbalances

  • Unexplained weight gain

  • Histamine intolerance or increased allergy symptoms

  • Poor tolerance to alcohol or caffeine

  • Worsening of other chronic health conditions

Our Optimal Gut Pathway is for you.

Find out how we can support you on your journey to a balanced, calm and resilient gut.

Conventional treatment for gut health issues.

Conventional treatment for digestive problems depends on the specific condition diagnosed. This may include prescription medications such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antispasmodics, antibiotics for infections or bacterial overgrowths, or immunosuppressive drugs for conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. While these treatments can help control symptoms and inflammation, they often don’t address the underlying factors that contribute to ongoing gut dysfunction.

The Goode Health Approach to Gut Health.

At The Goode Health Clinic, we take a functional medicine approach to gut health — aiming to identify and resolve the root causes of digestive issues rather than simply suppressing symptoms. Functional medicine recognises the gut as central to overall health and seeks to restore balance through personalised care, addressing factors that contribute to poor digestion, inflammation, and microbiome imbalances.

Where conventional medicine often focuses on diagnosis and symptom management with medication, functional medicine asks deeper questions like “Why is the gut inflamed or out of balance?” and “What factors are driving these symptoms?” This approach involves a thorough investigation of your diet, lifestyle, stress levels, microbiome health, and possible infections or intolerances, to uncover what is truly disrupting your digestion.

By addressing these root causes, we help you rebuild a healthier, more resilient gut. This proactive approach aims to reduce symptoms, restore comfortable digestion, and support your overall vitality and long-term wellbeing.

Gut Testing

In conventional medicine, testing for gut issues often focuses on basic blood tests, endoscopy or colonoscopy to look for visible disease or structural damage. While these can be essential for diagnosing conditions like IBD, they rarely explore the functional aspects of digestion, microbiome balance, or the subtle imbalances that cause ongoing symptoms. Common conventional gut testing includes:

  • Blood tests for inflammation (CRP, ESR)

  • Coeliac disease antibodies (tTG-IgA)

  • Faecal occult blood test (FOBT) to detect hidden blood

  • Basic stool culture for infections

  • Endoscopy or colonoscopy for visual assessment and biopsy

By coming to us and taking a functional medicine approach, you gain access to in-depth, root-cause focused testing through trusted labs in the UK, Europe, and the USA. This can include some or all of the following:

  • Comprehensive Gut Health Panels:

    • Advanced stool analysis to assess digestive function, inflammation, microbiome balance, parasites, yeast overgrowth, and markers of gut immunity.

    • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) breath testing to detect overgrowths in the small intestine.

    • Zonulin and other intestinal permeability markers to assess leaky gut.

    • H. pylori testing to check for stomach infections.

  • Food Sensitivity and Allergy Testing:

    • IgG food sensitivity panels to identify delayed food reactions contributing to inflammation.

    • Coeliac disease confirmation or gluten cross-reactivity panels.

  • Nutrient Absorption and Deficiency Testing:

    • Blood or urine tests to evaluate absorption of key vitamins and minerals like B12, iron, folate, zinc, and magnesium.

    • Organic acids testing for functional nutrient imbalances.

  • Inflammation and Immune Function Testing:

    • Faecal calprotectin to assess gut inflammation levels.

    • Secretory IgA and other markers of gut immune function.

  • Toxin and Environmental Testing:

    • Mycotoxin testing if mould exposure is suspected to affect gut and immune health.

    • Heavy metal screening if indicated.

  • Hormone and Stress Testing:

    • Cortisol panels to evaluate stress as a contributing factor to gut dysfunction.

    • Hormone testing to check links between hormones and digestive health.

This advanced testing allows us to build a truly personalised plan to heal your gut, balance your microbiome, and restore healthy digestion from the inside out.

Take a functional approach…

Root Causes

While genetics may influence some digestive conditions, gut health problems are most often driven or aggravated by a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and physiological factors. At The Goode Health Clinic, we work to uncover and address these root causes to restore a healthy, resilient digestive system and support lasting wellbeing. Some of the most common root causes we see include:

  1. Microbiome Imbalance (Dysbiosis)
    An imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria can disrupt digestion, weaken the gut barrier, and trigger inflammation. Dysbiosis is common in IBS, IBD, and chronic bloating. Restoring a balanced microbiome is essential for resolving symptoms and maintaining gut health.

  2. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
    Excess bacteria in the small intestine can cause bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or constipation. SIBO is a frequent hidden cause of IBS-like symptoms and needs targeted treatment to rebalance gut bacteria and improve digestion.

  3. Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)
    When the lining of the gut becomes compromised, it allows undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to enter the bloodstream, provoking inflammation and immune activation. Healing the gut barrier is key for reducing digestive and systemic symptoms.

  4. Food Sensitivities and Poor Diet
    Undiagnosed food intolerances — such as reactions to gluten, dairy, or certain FODMAPs — can irritate the gut lining and fuel inflammation. Diets high in processed foods, sugar, and additives can worsen dysbiosis and gut inflammation

  5. Chronic Infections
    Parasites, H. pylori, Candida overgrowth, or unresolved gut infections can keep the digestive system inflamed and out of balance, leading to persistent symptoms despite dietary changes.

  6. Chronic Stress and Nervous System Dysregulation
    The gut and brain are deeply connected via the gut–brain axis. Ongoing stress can impair digestion, slow motility, and alter the microbiome. Supporting the nervous system is crucial for gut healing.

  7. Inflammation and Immune Imbalance
    Low-grade, unresolved inflammation in the gut can damage tissue and perpetuate IBS or IBD symptoms. Balancing the immune response and calming inflammation are key steps in restoring gut health.

  8. Nutrient Deficiencies and Malabsorption
    Poor digestion and absorption can lead to deficiencies in key nutrients like B12, iron, magnesium, and zinc — which in turn impact gut repair, enzyme production, and immunity. Identifying and replenishing these is part of a root-cause plan.

  9. Environmental Toxins
    Exposure to toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, or mould/mycotoxins can affect the microbiome and gut lining, contributing to digestive dysfunction.

  10. Hormonal Imbalances
    Fluctuations in hormones like oestrogen and cortisol can influence gut motility and microbiome balance, explaining why many people notice digestive changes with stress, pregnancy, or menopause.

  11. Sleep Disruptions
    Poor sleep impairs digestion, disrupts gut microbial rhythms, and increases inflammation. Improving sleep is an important piece of any gut healing plan.

  12. Genetics and Epigenetics
    While genetics may predispose someone to conditions like coeliac disease or IBD, lifestyle and environmental factors often determine if and how these conditions develop.

By addressing these root causes, our functional medicine approach helps you achieve lasting relief from gut symptoms, supports a thriving microbiome, and enhances your overall health from the inside out.

Our Optimal Gut Pathway is for you.

Find out how we can support you on your journey to a balanced, calm and resilient gut.

How The Goode Health Clinic supports gut issues?

Our Optimal Gut Clinic supports patients with a wide array of gut issues. We dig deep into your root causes to help your body find balance and bring you back to the optimal version of you.