Gut Cleanse Myths Busted: What Your Body’s Really Up To

Gut Cleanse Myths Busted: What Your Body’s Really Up To

Gut cleanse trends are everywhere at the moment —teas, powders, smoothies, detox kits… you name it. But do you really need a fancy product to flush out your system? Not so fast! Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about what your body’s already doing (and how to give it a proper nudge in the right direction—no gimmicks needed).

Here’s the truth: your body is already cleansing and detoxing every single day. Your liver, kidneys, lungs, gut, and even your skin are hard at work filtering out toxins, flushing waste, and keeping things running smoothly. It’s a 24/7, behind-the-scenes health show.

So Why All the Hype?

Buzzwords like “detox” and “gut cleanse” can make it sound like you need a magic potion to feel better. But in reality, your body just needs the right support—not a £50 cleanse in a pretty packet.

Here’s How Your Body Naturally Detoxes:

  • Sweat pushes out waste through your skin

  • Kidneys filter your blood and make urine

  • Lungs release carbon dioxide

  • Liver breaks down toxins from food, meds & the environment

  • Gut processes nutrients and moves out the waste

Your liver especially is a detox superstar—breaking down everything from wine and painkillers to pollution and additives. But like any engine, it runs better on premium fuel.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

How to Supercharge Your Gut Cleanse (Naturally)

Want to support your body’s natural cleanse?

Reduce the sugar: Cut back on sugary snacks, fizzy drinks & ultra-processed meals

  • Fuel up smart: Eat real food—think veg, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats

 

  • Hydrate like a pro: Filtered water, herbal teas, and green tea all help flush toxins

Sleep well, move often, and stress less: Your detox systems depend on it.

 

You don’t need a trendy cleanse—you need to clear space for your body to do what it’s designed to do.

🗣️ Want Personalised Support?

📞 Book a call with me – use the link, below.


Or grab my FREE gut health mini-program, link below — it’s the perfect first step toward a happier, healthier gut.

If you would like to speak to me about any aspect of your gut health, then please use this link to book into my diary for a FREE 30 minute chat so I can find out more about what is going on for you.  Alternatively please use the ‘Learn More’ link below.

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Leaky Gut Causes You Need to Know

Leaky Gut Causes You Need to Know

Ever heard of leaky gut — or its more scientific name, intestinal permeability? Even if it’s new to you, chances are it could be at the root of many frustrating symptoms you’re dealing with right now.  Read on to learn more about leaky gut causes and symptoms. 

From bloating and food sensitivities to brain fog, skin flare-ups and stubborn weight gain — yes, even that — the causes of leaky gut can trigger problems all over your body. The good news? You can fix it — and it starts with knowing the signs.

Let’s dive into the top causes of leaky gut and how to spot if it’s affecting you.


🚨 First things first: What is leaky gut?

Your gut lining isn’t just a passive tube – it’s an intelligent barrier made of cells tightly joined together. These tight junctions control what gets absorbed into your bloodstream – and what should stay out.

But when those junctions get “leaky”, undigested food particles, toxins and pathogens can sneak through. Your immune system notices – and often freaks out, triggering inflammation, autoimmune reactions and a host of mystery symptoms.


💥 Leaky Gut Causes You Need to Know

 

1. Your Genes

Some people are simply more sensitive to environmental triggers – and their immune system may overreact to things others can tolerate just fine.

2. Your Diet

Certain foods are known to irritate the gut lining or provoke inflammatory responses. Usual suspects include:

  • Gluten (especially wheat)

  • Refined sugar

  • GMOs

  • Refined vegetable oils

  • Artificial additives

  • Processed dairy

Cutting back on these can do wonders for your gut health.

3. Stress (the silent saboteur)

Chronic, unmanaged stress wreaks havoc on your digestive system and weakens your gut barrier. Stress management isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

4. Toxins (they’re hiding everywhere)

Your gut faces daily attacks from things like:

  • Household cleaners

  • Conventional cosmetics and hair dyes

  • Antibiotics and NSAIDs

  • Unfiltered tap water

  • Pesticide-laced food

You don’t need to go full detox hippie – but switching to natural products, filtering your water and eating organic when possible helps lighten the load.

5. Dysbiosis (gut bugs gone rogue)

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria — some friendly, some not so much. When the bad guys take over, they damage your gut lining, disrupt your immune system and fuel inflammation.

🚩 Signs You May Have Leaky Gut

Wondering if your gut is leaking trouble into the rest of your body? Here are 10 red flags:

  1. IBS symptoms (bloating, cramps, erratic bowels)

  2. Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis

  3. SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth)

  4. Food allergies or sensitivities

  5. Chronic inflammation (e.g. arthritis)

  1. Thyroid imbalances

  2. Fatty liver or Type II diabetes

  3. Autoimmune conditions

  4. Chronic fatigue

  5. Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

💡 We don’t yet know if leaky gut causes these conditions — but they’re often found side-by-side.

🛠️ How to Heal a Leaky Gut

If this is ringing alarm bells, don’t panic. Healing is possible, and here’s where to start:

  1. Identify and eliminate trigger foods.

  2. Uncover what caused your gut to become leaky — be it stress, poor diet, medications, or all of the above.

  3. Support gut repair with targeted nutrients and herbs.

  4. Rebuild your gut flora using probiotics and fermented foods.

🗣️ Want Personalised Support?

📞 Book a call with me – use the link, below.


Or grab my FREE gut health mini-program, link below — it’s the perfect first step toward a happier, healthier gut.

If you would like to speak to me about any aspect of your gut health, then please use this link to book into my diary for a FREE 30 minute chat so I can find out more about what is going on for you.  Alternatively please use the ‘Learn More’ link below.

Free Mini Programme

Would You Like to Learn How to Fix Your Digestive SymptomsBeat the Bloat and Feel Amazing?

1:1 Coaching Plans

Get Ready to Permanently Beat the BloatSoothe Your Digestion and Feel Amazing 

Ultimate Gut Health Programme

Delicious, Filling & Inspiring ways to Become Symptom-Free, Soothe Your Gut and Enjoy Your Food Again!

Gut Health and Sleep: What’s the Connection?

Gut Health and Sleep: What’s the Connection?

Can’t Sleep? The Real Culprit Might Be Hiding in Your Gut – read on to learn more about gut health and sleep.

Tossing and turning at night? Waking up at 3 a.m. for no good reason? You’re far from alone. But what if I told you the answer to your sleep struggles isn’t just in your head — it’s in your gut?

It might sound surprising, but science is uncovering powerful links between your gut health and the quality of your sleep. In fact, your gut and brain are in constant conversation — and when your gut’s not happy, your sleep suffers.

Let’s explore how your gut microbiome could be sabotaging your rest, who’s most at risk, and what you can do to turn things around.


🧠 How Your Gut Shapes Your Sleep

Your gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract — doesn’t just influence digestion. It also plays a key role in regulating your circadian rhythm, sleep hormones, and your overall ability to fall and stay asleep.

Here’s how:

  • Alters your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock)

  • Influences melatonin and serotonin, which are crucial for sleep

  • Impacts your sleep-wake cycle and how much time you actually spend in restful sleep

In short: a rich and diverse gut microbiome is linked with better, deeper, more restorative sleep.


🌀 Serotonin: The Gut-Sleep Connection

Serotonin is often called the “feel-good hormone,” but did you know it also regulates your sleep cycle? Around 90% of your serotonin is made in the gut, and your gut bacteria directly influence how much of it your body produces.

When gut health is out of balance — for example, after a course of antibiotics — serotonin levels often drop, and sleep quality goes with it. In mouse studies, a disrupted gut microbiome meant lower serotonin and significantly worse sleep.


😴 Poor Sleep? Your Gut Feels It Too

This relationship goes both ways. Just as gut health affects sleep, lack of sleep damages your gut — quickly.

Even a few nights of disrupted sleep can:

  • Reduce microbial diversity

  • Encourage harmful bacteria to thrive

  • Trigger bloating and digestive issues

Your gut bacteria are highly responsive to your sleep patterns. In fact, night waking and sleep deprivation seem to encourage the growth of less desirable bacteria — the kind that cause gas, inflammation, and more.

If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

⚠️ What Else Is Affected?

Sleep and gut imbalances don’t exist in isolation. Together, they can spark wider health issues:

  • Tissue inflammation

  • Leaky gut syndrome

  • Insulin resistance

  • Digestive discomfort, including reflux, heartburn, and indigestion

And the bad news? These changes can begin after just a couple of disturbed nights. If you’re a shift worker, new parent, or chronic insomniac, your gut might be silently struggling — and affecting far more than your energy levels.

🥦 What to Eat to Help Sleep and Heal Your Gut

If you’re struggling with sleep and suspect your gut might be playing a role, start by nourishing your microbiome.

Probiotic-rich fermented foods:

  • Live, natural yogurt (no sugar, no flavourings)

  • Kefir (dairy or non-dairy)

  • Sauerkraut

  • Miso

  • Tempeh

Prebiotic-rich foods:

  • Leeks

  • Onions

  • Garlic

  • Chicory root

If you’re regularly sleep-deprived or your symptoms are severe, a good-quality probiotic and prebiotic supplement can provide additional support to help rebalance your gut bacteria.

🗣️ Want Personalised Support?

Gut health and sleep are deeply connected — but everyone’s story is unique. If you’d like to explore your symptoms, and how I might be able to help, I offer a FREE 30-minute consultation to chat through your health concerns and next steps.  Link to book below.

If you would like to speak to me about any aspect of your gut health, then please use this link to book into my diary for a FREE 30 minute chat so I can find out more about what is going on for you.  Alternatively please use the ‘Learn More’ link below.

Free Mini Programme

Would You Like to Learn How to Fix Your Digestive SymptomsBeat the Bloat and Feel Amazing?

1:1 Coaching Plans

Get Ready to Permanently Beat the BloatSoothe Your Digestion and Feel Amazing 

Ultimate Gut Health Programme

Delicious, Filling & Inspiring ways to Become Symptom-Free, Soothe Your Gut and Enjoy Your Food Again!

Parasite Cleanse: Could You Benefit?

Parasite Cleanse: Could You Benefit?

When I tell clients that their test results show signs of a parasitic infection, their first reaction is often shock or embarrassment. But the truth is, it’s far more common—and less alarming—than you might think. In many cases, a targeted parasite cleanse can support your gut health and bring relief from lingering digestive issues. 

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on, and how to tell if a parasite cleanse might be right for you.


What Is a Parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside a host and survives by drawing nutrients from it. While that might sound unsettling, not all parasites are harmful. Some live harmlessly on our skin, feeding on dead skin cells and playing a role in our skin microbiome.

However, certain internal parasites are less helpful. These organisms may interfere with nutrient absorption or disrupt your gut microbiome, leading to unwanted symptoms.

Some of the more well-known examples include:

  • Giardia lamblia

  • Entamoeba histolytica

  • Threadworms

  • Tapeworms

  • Hookworms

In some cases, such as malaria, parasites can cause severe illness. But more often, they are part of a larger picture involving gut imbalance—and that’s where a carefully designed parasite cleanse can help.


Could a Parasite Cleanse Help You?

Parasitic infections can affect anyone, regardless of their lifestyle or general health. You might pick one up from contaminated food or water, especially after travel. The presence of parasites doesn’t necessarily mean they’re causing your symptoms—but it does signal that your gut environment might need attention.


If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

In fact, many people unknowingly live with parasites for years without serious issues. The key is understanding the bigger picture: your overall gut health.

An imbalanced microbiome (also called dysbiosis), a leaky gut, or weakened immunity can create the perfect conditions for parasites to thrive. Sometimes, parasites are the cause of the imbalance. Other times, the imbalance existed first and allowed them to take hold.

This is why I always recommend functional testing before jumping into a parasite cleanse. Two common species that frequently appear in gut tests are:

  • Blastocystis hominis

  • Dientamoeba fragilis

These often show up alongside other signs of dysbiosis and may contribute to symptoms like bloating, irregular bowel movements, or fatigue.

What’s Involved in a Parasite Cleanse?

A well-designed parasite cleanse typically focuses on two main goals:

  1. Eliminating harmful organisms

  2. Restoring a healthy gut environment

Sometimes, herbal antimicrobials are used to target specific organisms. These may include:

  • Oregano oil

  • Berberine

  • Grapefruit seed extract

But please don’t self-prescribe these! They’re powerful substances that can disrupt your beneficial gut bacteria if used incorrectly. Always work with a qualified practitioner to make sure you’re using the right support, in the right way.

Supporting Gut Health During a Cleanse

Whether or not your test results call for antimicrobial supplements, there are several foods that can naturally support your body during a parasite cleanse:

  • Garlic & onions – Rich in sulfur compounds that help fight unwanted microbes

  • Ginger – Supports digestion and has antimicrobial properties

  • Papaya & pineapple – Enzymes in these fruits can support gut health

  • Coconut oil – A natural antimicrobial and overall gut health booster

  • Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and yogurt – Help replenish good bacteria

  • Apple cider vinegar – Aids digestion, though be mindful of its impact on teeth


Final Thoughts

If you’re experiencing digestive issues that don’t seem to improve with diet alone, it may be worth considering a gut health assessment and, if appropriate, a parasite cleanse.

Parasites often show up as part of a larger pattern of imbalance—and tackling the root cause is more effective than simply trying to eliminate the organism. With the right guidance, you can restore your gut to a healthier state and start feeling more like yourself again.

If you would like to speak to me about any aspect of your gut health, then please use this link to book into my diary for a FREE 30 minute chat so I can find out more about what is going on for you.  Alternatively please use the ‘Learn More’ link below.

Free Mini Programme

Would You Like to Learn How to Fix Your Digestive SymptomsBeat the Bloat and Feel Amazing?

1:1 Coaching Plans

Get Ready to Permanently Beat the BloatSoothe Your Digestion and Feel Amazing 

Ultimate Gut Health Programme

Delicious, Filling & Inspiring ways to Become Symptom-Free, Soothe Your Gut and Enjoy Your Food Again!

Private Lab Testing: Is it Worth it?

Private Lab Testing: Is it Worth it?

So, you’ve been doing everything “right” — eating well, taking care of yourself, maybe even cutting back on sugar or gluten — yet you still feel off. Your symptoms are frustrating, maybe even debilitating… but every time you speak to a doctor, you’re told your tests are “normal.”  Sound familiar?  When your body is clearly screaming for help, being told you’re “fine” is incredibly disheartening. And the truth is, if you want real answers — not just guesses — it might be time to look a little deeper. That’s where private lab testing comes in.

Here are four solid reasons why it’s absolutely worth considering:


1. If you think you’ve got a yeast infection, testing is the only reliable way to know

You might have Googled your symptoms, stared at your tongue in the mirror, or even tried the old “spit in a glass of water” trick. These can be interesting experiments — but they’re not diagnostic.

Even online questionnaires, while sometimes helpful for organising your thoughts, can’t confirm what’s really going on in your gut.

If you suspect yeast overgrowth or Candida, proper lab testing (like a stool test or organic acids test) is the only way to know for sure — and to get the right plan in place to treat it.

[👉 Read more about Candida here.]


If you’re worried about your gut health, I’d highly recommend downloading my online course The Ultimate Gut Health Programme to help support your digestive system, whilst avoiding triggering symptoms.

It’d be impossible to include all you need to know in one blog, but the programme will have all you need to know to ensure you’re soothing your digestive system, whilst eating delicious and filling foods.

2. Travelled recently? A parasite could be the hidden cause of your IBS-type symptoms

I know, it sounds grim — but parasites are surprisingly common and can cause all sorts of ongoing digestive issues.

The test I use is a modern PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, which checks for the actual DNA of parasites. This makes it much more sensitive than older tests that only picked up parasites if they happened to be in the stool sample.

Even if you haven’t been abroad recently, parasites can still be picked up locally. If you’ve been struggling with unexplained gut symptoms, this is a smart place to look.

3. Symptoms outside the gut? They could still start in your gut

So many people are shocked to discover their skin issues, fatigue, joint pain, or even mood swings are linked to gut health — often due to something called leaky gut.

Conditions potentially linked to poor gut health include:

  • Autoimmune conditions

  • IBS and IBD

  • Eczema, psoriasis and acne

  • Food sensitivities

  • Joint pain and arthritis

  • Asthma

  • Fatigue or brain fog

  • Mood or appetite changes

There are specific tests that look at the gut lining, inflammation, immune response and more — all of which help to piece together what’s really driving your symptoms, so private lab testing may be the answer.

4. Suspect SIBO? Don’t guess — test!

If you get intense bloating after meals, painful wind, or unpredictable bowels, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) could be the culprit.

SIBO occurs when bacteria that should stay in the large intestine move into the small intestine, where they don’t belong. This causes fermentation, gas, and a whole lot of discomfort.

The only way to diagnose it properly is with private lab testing, specifically a breath test. And here’s the thing: taking the wrong supplements — like probiotics — without testing could actually make SIBO worse.


So, is private testing worth it?

If you’re struggling with symptoms and not getting answers, testing helps you:

✅ Stop guessing
✅ Pinpoint root causes faster
✅ Get a treatment plan that actually works
✅ Stay motivated — seeing your results in black and white is incredibly empowering


I hope this post gives you a clearer idea of why gut testing is such a valuable step — especially when you feel like you’ve hit a wall.

If you’d like to explore whether private testing might help you, I’d love to chat. You can book a free call with me here — I’ll ask a few questions, find out what you’re dealing with, and point you in the right direction.

You deserve to feel better — let’s find out what’s really going on.

If you would like to speak to me about any aspect of your gut health, then please use this link to book into my diary for a FREE 30 minute chat so I can find out more about what is going on for you.  Alternatively please use the ‘Learn More’ link below.

Free Mini Programme

Would You Like to Learn How to Fix Your Digestive SymptomsBeat the Bloat and Feel Amazing?

1:1 Coaching Plans

Get Ready to Permanently Beat the BloatSoothe Your Digestion and Feel Amazing 

Ultimate Gut Health Programme

Delicious, Filling & Inspiring ways to Become Symptom-Free, Soothe Your Gut and Enjoy Your Food Again!

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