Are you feeling post-holiday tummy troubles? If your gut has been less than cheerful lately, you’re not alone—and it might be time to dig deeper into what’s going on.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects up to 10% of the global population, causing symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Living with IBS can feel like an endless guessing game. Certain foods—especially carbohydrates—trigger these symptoms for many, leading to frustrating elimination diets and lifestyle changes.
What can you do?
1 – Hydrate. Staying hydrated throughout the day (as opposed to gulping down excessive amounts of water in one or two sittings) can help regulate motility. Try breaking your day into thirds, where you’ll consume 2-3 glasses of liquid during each third.
2 – Slowly incorporate fiber. Fiber helps regulate motility, emptying and satiety. But, when introduced too much too quickly, digestive upsets occur. Start with 1/4- 1/3 cup and increase by 1/4 cup toward 1/2- 1 cup 3-5x/week.
So, why do some people see results while others don’t?
The answer could be in your DNA!
Research shows genetic variations can affect how your body processes carbohydrates and reacts to certain diets. Your unique genetic blueprint may be key to managing IBS more effectively. For some people with IBS, genetic variations make it harder to digest specific carbs, which is why diets with specific macronutrient manipulation work wonders for some and fall flat for others.
For those with genetic markers linked to carbohydrate sensitivity, reducing fermentable carbs has been shown to ease IBS symptoms, particularly in those with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).
In my practice, we go beyond elimination diets to uncover the root causes of your symptoms by analyzing your genetics. This helps us pinpoint:
- Whether your genes influence how your body processes specific nutrients.
- How your body responds to fluctuations in gut health.
- What’s driving your inflammation and symptoms so we can create a diet tailored specifically to you.
Through DNA-driven health strategies, I help clients uncover their genetic predispositions—like sensitivities to changes in gut health or impaired digestion. With these insights, we create a tailored plan that works with your body, not against it. No more guesswork, just clear, personalized steps to better gut health and overall well-being.
Your gut health isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about understanding why your body reacts the way it does. Let’s uncover what your DNA says about your gut health and build a personalized plan to help you feel better every day. True relief starts with your DNA.
