How antibiotics affect the microbiome

Antibiotics impact the gut microbiome by causing rapid reductions in microbial diversity and shifting the balance of bacterial populations in the gut away from health-promoting species. The longer the course of treatment, the more species are affected and the longer the microbiome takes to recover. Taking a combination of different antibiotics is also more disruptive to the gut microbiome, as is repeated course of antibiotics.

After antibiotic treatment, gut bacterial populations can recover within a few weeks. However, some studies show it can take months to rebuild and occasionally a course of antibiotics can lead to the extinction of certain species (Palleja et al 2018).

Antibiotics commonly reduce key beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium, while allowing populations of opportunistic, inflammatory species such as Escherichia and Klebsiella to expand. This is why some people experience diarrhoea, which is a common complaint when on antibiotics.

Microbiome recovery is highly individual, and your baseline composition strongly influences outcomes. Some people recover quickly, while others experience lingering digestive issues and other systemic symptoms.

Gut microbiome repair

As practitioners looking to support you to restore your microbiome, we focus on three things: diet, probiotics and prebiotics.

Diet

The most important factor in restoring the gut ecosystem and maintaining microbiome health in the long term, is ensuring your diet has plenty of plant foods. These are rich in fibre, including prebiotics, and contain different polyphenols that feed our beneficial bacteria.

Poor diets, lacking in prebiotics and polyphenols, can increase vulnerability to infection after antibiotic use, while conversely, plant-rich diets increase microbiome resilience to antibiotic treatment (Kennedy et al 2024).

Probiotics

Research has shown that using probiotics alongside antibiotic treatment leads to a faster recovery of beneficial species (John et al. 2024). Probiotics do not re-seed, rather they support and communicate with other organisms in the gut, influencing bacterial behaviour, gene expression and immune responses.

We refer to clinical trial data to see what probiotic strains would be most supportive, including whether the antibiotics are targeting a respiratory infection or a gut infection.  We commonly prescribe Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 (SB) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Clinical trials have shown SB is very effective at reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. SB is a yeast, so antibiotics (that only target bacteria) don’t decrease its efficacy. SB doesn’t decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics either. For safety reasons, there are some cases where we wouldn’t recommend SB, including where someone’s health is very frail or where there are deep puncture wounds or cannulas in use.

Clinical trials show LGG protects against antibiotic-induced changes in the microbiome, reduces inflammation markers and positively influences microbiome balance. However, LGG is also impacted by antibiotics, so this requires frequent, high doses and timing carefully within the antibiotic regimen. Depending on the nature of the infection and your health needs we may prescribe better-targeted probiotics.

Prebiotics

Prebiotic fibres selectively feed beneficial gut bacteria, helping support microbial regrowth after antibiotic exposure. Prebiotics have been shown in human studies to increase populations of beneficial bacteria and to promote the production of health-promoting short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate.

Prebiotics are found naturally in certain plant foods, but for protecting the gut microbiome from antibiotic-induced changes and for encouraging large-scale and long-term shifts in the gut ecosystem, we recommend prebiotic supplements (usually powders that can be mixed into drinks or food).

We most commonly recommend partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG), lactulose, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), or inulin/FOS. Each different prebiotic has different properties and targets different groups of beneficial bacteria. For example, PHGG is the most gentle on the stomach and can normalise stools and help prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea. Inulin/FOS feeds up a broader range of beneficial bacteria but can cause digestive symptoms especially if used in large quantities.

In our practice, we personalise all our treatment plans, and so we consider an individual’s microbiome profile, health history, diet, lifestyle, symptoms and other needs in order to choose which prebiotic to recommend and at what dose. It’s always helpful to have baseline microbiome data gathered prior to antibiotic use to guide our treatment plans. However, if someone hasn’t done a microbiome stool test before commencing treatment, we can still make recommendations for prebiotics to take alongside and immediately after antibiotic treatment to help protect microbiome health, but our recommendations may not be so well targeted.

Tracking progress

Gut bacterial populations can fluctuate rapidly for several weeks after the course of antibiotics is completed. We usually advise stool testing after a few weeks of microbiome support to check the impact of treatment, ensure the most accurate advice and inform any treatment plans going forward.

If you are about to take a course of antibiotics, or have recently completed a course, please get in contact for microbiome support.

REFERENCES

Elvers KT, et al. (2020) Antibiotic induced changes in the human gut microbiota for the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in primary care in the UK: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035677

John D, et al. (2024). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study assessing the impact of probiotic supplementation on antibiotic induced changes in the gut microbiome. Frontiers in Microbiomes, 3.

https://doi.org/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1359580

Kennedy, M.S. et al. (2025) Diet outperforms microbial transplant to drive microbiome recovery in mice. Nature.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08937-9

Palleja, A. et al. (2018) Recovery of gut microbiota of healthy adults following antibiotic exposure. Nat Microbiol 3.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-018-0257-9

While many bacteria play a role in supporting gut health, Bifidobacterium has been shown to regulate immune responses, positively impact mood and anxiety, reduce inflammation and protect the gut lining.

Furthermore, many different species of Bifidobacterium show positive correlations with improvement in fatigue, gastrointestinal upset and memory loss, all hallmarks of LC.

A recent study has shown that having a gut microbiome low in Bifidobacterium and overall diversity was more likely to result in a higher disease severity of Covid and/or LC. Other research that tested the gut and nasal microbiome in an active Covid infection showed a decrease in the abundance of Bifidobacterium.

Another study using probiotics in Covid patients showed that supplementing with Bifidobacterium may offer protection against Covid symptoms through its ability to modulate the immune response, reduce inflammation, and maintain gut barrier function. The findings highlighted the potential of microbiome modulation in the treatment of LC.

Increasing levels of Bifidobacteria, using a mix of prebiotics, probiotics and a healthy plant-based Mediterranean diet is what I try to achieve for my clients. Some of the best prebiotics are GOS (Galactooligosaccharides) and Lactulose but there are many others, especially as all clients respond differently to prebiotics. Some people find prebiotics can cause loose stools or even constipation, so I always start low and increase slowly. If clients can tolerate dairy and their microbiome is not overgrown with bile loving species then I also recommend Greek yoghurt with live cultures or kefir, a fermented yoghurt.

Testing your microbiome is very important and I don’t like to prescribe supplements without having those results. Gut microbiome stool testing allows me to individualise your treatment plan according to your specific symptoms and unique microbiome profile.

REFERENCES:

Hazen et al. (2022) Lost microbes of COVID-19: Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium depletion and decreased microbiome diversity associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 9(1)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35483736/

Taufer CR, Rampelotto PH. (2023) The Role of Bifidobacterium in COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel). 13(9):1847

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10532519/

]]> https://thenutritionfactor.com.au/the-importance-of-bifidobacterium-in-long-covid/feed/ 0 https://thenutritionfactor.com.au/reflux2416-2/ https://thenutritionfactor.com.au/reflux2416-2/#respond Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:18:02 +0000 https://thenutritionfactor.com.au/?p=2416 How to Manage Reflux Naturally

Reflux, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus, leading to mucosal damage and symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation of food or acid, chest pain, chronic cough, difficulty swallowing and dental erosion.

There are many factors that contribute to the onset of GORD, the most common being reduced tone in the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS). This can be caused by certain medications, such as NSAIDs, calcium channel blockers, barbiturates, and anticholinergics. Decreased saliva production and delayed stomach emptying are also contributing factors, as are lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, a diet high in fatty and processed foods, and alcohol consumption.

Gut dysbiosis contributes to both reflux and GORD symptoms and slow transit time and methane overgrowth can increase symptoms. Gut dysbiosis occurs when there is an imbalance between beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria in the gut microbiome. Certain species of Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria produce lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which contribute to systemic inflammation and are thought to promote reflux by oesophageal sphincter relaxation. Research shows that high levels of Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria are more evident in people with GORD.

Conventional medicine includes proton pump inhibitors (PPI), H2 Receptor Antagonists (H2RAs) and other antacids which reduce stomach acid and can help with symptom management. However, they fail to address the cause of the reflux and are associated with many side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain. They also increase the risk of Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO), Colonic Methane Overgrowth (CMO), nutrient malabsorption, and gut dysbiosis.

We use Microbiome testing to identify and treat any underlying drivers of reflux. We develop individual treatment plans based on your unique microbiome profile and your symptoms. Our holistic approach includes dietary and lifestyle recommendations and targeted supplements where necessary.

Here are a few of my recommendations.

Dietary modifications:

1. Eat a fibre-rich, plant-based, Mediterranean style diet.
2. Avoid trigger foods such as chocolate, fatty foods, and processed foods.
3. Avoid alcohol, sugar, and minimise coffee.
4. Have a 3-hour window between dinner and bedtime.
5. Do not consume fluid with meals or immediately after meals.

Lifestyle changes:

1. Elevating the head of the bed by 20-30 cm can reduce night-time reflux.
2. Stop smoking or vaping.
3. Reducing weight can alleviate symptoms.
4. Managing stress through breathing and nervous system support.

If you want to know more, please make an appointment or book in a discovery call.

REFERENCES:

De Bastiani et al. (2023) Assessment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and methane production in patients on chronic proton-pump inhibitor treatment: prevalence and role of rifaximin in its management in primary care. Minerva Gastroenterol 2023;69:523-8.
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5985.21.03118-1

Baumeister et al. (2019) Gut microbiota and oesophageal disease – an update Microbiota Health Dis 1: e207 1 II.
DOI: 10.26355/mhd_20201_207

Cinnamon is known for its warm and sweet flavour, but it has a lot more to offer than its culinary applications. Cinnamon has been valued for centuries for its medicinal properties, and research shows it can be effective in reducing high blood pressure, regulating glucose levels, reducing inflammation, and improving cognition.

Cinnamon is rich in polyphenols, which are plant compounds known for their antioxidant properties. These polyphenols, including procyanidins and cinnamaldehyde, exhibit strong antioxidant activity, protecting cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamaldehyde has been shown to inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gut, thus aiding in the reduction of gut inflammation and promoting gut health.

Cinnamon also exhibits prebiotic-like activity, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria, positively impacting the balance of the gut microbiome. Several studies in healthy adults have demonstrated that cinnamon extract significantly increased the abundance of Bifidobacteria, Akkermansia and Lactobacillus, all known for their beneficial effects on gut health.

Studies have also shown that cinnamon oil can improve the oral microbiome by exhibiting a broad range of antimicrobial activity against the microbes causing dental caries. This is significant as dental caries is a risk factor for heart disease and Metabolic Syndrome.

Cinnamon also has many nutritional benefits. Adding one teaspoon (2-4 grams) of cinnamon powder a day provides calcium, potassium, vitamin A as well as small quantities of fibre and trace amounts of many other vitamins and nutrients.

So be bold and start adding cinnamon to your food and reap the benefits of its exotic taste whilst also supporting your gut microbiome and promoting optimal health.

REFERENCES

Jeong. et al. (2021). Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsion against multi-species oral biofilms. Sci Rep 11, 5911. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85375-3

Kim et al. (2019). “Severity of dental caries and risk of coronary heart disease in middle-aged men and women: a population-based cohort study of Korean adults, 2002–2013.” Scientific Reports 9:10491 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47029-3

Lu et al. (2019). “Mixed Spices at Culinary Doses Have Prebiotic Effects in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study” Nutrients 11, no. 6: 1425. DOI: 10.3390/nu11061425

Lu et al. (2017). “Prebiotic Potential and Chemical Composition of Seven Culinary Spice Extract” Journal of Food Science Aug; 82(8): 1807–1813 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13792

Mollazadeh et al. (2016). “Cinnamon effects on metabolic syndrome: a review based on its mechanisms.” Iran J Basic Med Sci. Dec; 19(12):1258-1270. DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2016.7906.

Rao PV, Gan SH. (2014). “Cinnamon: a multifaceted medicinal plant.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 642942. DOI: 10.1155/2014/642942

Vicky Ellenport BHSc NUT is a registered Nutritionist and Microbiome Analyst who uses a food first approach in her treatment protocols.

Constipation occurs when stool is moving too slowly through the digestive tract usually causing it to become dry and hard. Bowel movements can become infrequent or difficult to pass and there can be a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Some common symptoms of constipation are:

• Bloating
• Excessive gas and distension
• Painful bowel movements
• Fatigue
• Brain fog

Healthy bowel movements should happen at least once a day, and ideally 2-3 times a day. While occasional bouts of constipation are normal, chronic cases can significantly impact our quality of life.

Some of the possible causes of constipation are stress, dehydration, a low fibre diet and a lack of exercise. However, certain illnesses, medications, insufficient digestive enzymes, Sibo (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth) and microbiome dysbiosis can all contribute to constipation.

For most people, increasing exercise and improving diet and hydration is enough to improve bowel motions.

But what if that doesn’t work?

Then it’s time to get help from a qualified practitioner to uncover what else may be going on.

The top 3 things I consider when a client seeks support for constipation are:

1. Are they eating enough fibre, drinking enough water, and exercising? If not, increasing these 3 things is the easiest and quickest to remedy.
2. What is their gut transit time? A simple gut transit test can determine how quickly the food they eat ends up in the toilet bowl. The ideal is 14-24 hours! A slow transit time can often result in constipation, and it is common to have daily bowel motions yet still be constipated.
3. Do they have an overgrowth of opportunistic microbes? There are a group of microbes called Archaea that live in our gut and produce methane gas. Methane slows transit time often resulting in constipation.

At the Microbiome Group we use stool testing to determine what may be contributing to a client’s constipation. We then develop individual treatment protocols for our clients that focus on food, probiotics, prebiotics, and herbal remedies.

REFERENCES:

Bin Waqar et al. (2019). Methane and Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Entwining Pillars of Emerging Neurogastroenterology. Cureus, 11(5), e4764. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4764

Chan et al. (2007). Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients. World journal of gastroenterology, 13(35), 4771–4775. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i35.4771

Gao et al. (2019). Exercise therapy in patients with constipation: a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 54(2), 169–177.
DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2019.1568544

Soltanian et al. (2019). Effect of flaxseed or psyllium vs. placebo on management of constipation, weight, glycemia, and lipids: A randomized trial in constipated patients with type 2 diabetes. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN,  29, 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.11.002

Vicky Ellenport BHSc NUT is a Clinical Nutritionist and Microbiome Analyst at The Microbiome Group. You can book an appointment with her here: Vicky Ellenport | The Microbiome Group

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located in the front of your neck, just below the larynx (Adam’s apple). It is not visible when it is functioning properly.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate many of your body’s functions including metabolism, growth, heart, muscle and digestive function, nervous system, temperature regulation, cognitive function and bone maintenance.

How does the Thyroid work?

The thyroid gland uses the amino acid tyrosine and iodine from the foods you eat to synthesise two main hormones which are carried to all the cells in the body.

These hormones are known as the Thyroid Hormones.

• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Thyroxine (T4)

The thyroid gland produces around 20% of T3, the highly active form of the hormone, and 80% of T4, a prohormone which is converted to the active T3 form by specific enzymes in tissues such as the liver and kidneys.

The levels of T3 and T4 are maintained in the body through the release of the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). The Pituitary gland, which is located at the base of your brain, responds to low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood by releasing TSH which tells your thyroid gland to increase thyroid hormone production.

In addition to TSH levels in the blood, the pituitary gland is regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain which releases TSH Releasing Hormone which tells the pituitary gland when to release TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland.

This complex system is known as the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis (HPT Axis) which functions to maintain normal levels of thyroid hormones circulating in the body.

What could go wrong?

When everything is functioning “normally”, the thyroid gland produces the right levels of thyroid hormones to support healthy metabolism and body function.

However, when the HPT Axis is disrupted, the thyroid may produce too much or too little thyroid hormones.

Thyroid function may be disrupted by a nutrient-poor diet, stress, trauma, environmental toxin exposure, viral or bacterial infection, gut dysbiosis, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation or autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies are associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), which is the most common cause of thyroid dysfunction.

What is Autoimmune thyroid disease?

AITD can be either Hasimoto’s or Graves’ Disease and both result in thyroid dysfunction.

Hashimoto’s Disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing increased inflammation and destruction of thyroid cells, resulting in a decrease of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism).

When your thyroid is underactive it does not make enough thyroid hormone to support normal metabolism and body functions. Hypothyroid symptoms may include weight gain, constipation, joint or muscle pain, fatigue, feeling cold, thinning dry hair, sadness or depression, heavy menstrual bleeding etc.
Hypothyroidism affects more women than men.

Graves’ Disease occurs when the immune system stimulates the thyroid to produce too much hormone – hyperthyroidism.

When your body has too much thyroid hormone, the body’s processes speed up and cause symptoms including weight loss, rapid heartbeat, increased bowel movements or diarrhoea, increased sweating, anxiety or nervousness, sleep issues, trembling hands, fewer and lighter menstrual bleeds etc.

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and other Autoimmune Conditions

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease and is frequently associated with other autoimmune conditions.

AITD may occur concurrently with coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous and Sjogren’s syndrome.

How is Thyroid dysfunction diagnosed?

Thyroid conditions can be difficult to diagnose as many of the symptoms are common to other medical conditions. However,  a detailed client and family history can often provide an indication that the thyroid needs to be tested.

Blood Tests:

TSH: High TSH indicates low thyroid function while low TSH indicates an overactive thyroid.

T3: the active form of the thyroid hormone

T4: the prohormone that becomes the active form through conversion in the liver and kidneys

Reverse T3 (rT3): an inactive form of T3 that cannot be used by the body. A high rT3 indicates an issue with T4 to T3 conversion.

Anti-thyroglobulin AB (TRAb) and Anti-TPO AB are thyroid antibodies that are elevated in autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto or Graves’ disease.

Testing the full thyroid panel is very important in diagnosing thyroid conditions properly.

Ultrasound

A thyroid ultrasound identifies whether there have been any structural changes such as the presence of nodules or cysts or enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Fine Needle Biopsy

A sample of cells may be collected from a nodule during the ultrasound to identify cells that may be cancerous.

Can AIP help manage Autoimmune Thyroid Disease?

The conventional treatment for AITD is through the prescription of medication to replace thyroid hormone in the case of Hashimoto’s Disease, or medication to suppress thyroid hormone for Graves’ Disease. Complementary treatment works side by side the medical treatment.

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is used to identify dietary triggers, reduce inflammation, and improve thyroid symptoms. Several studies have shown that people with Hashimoto’s, continue to have debilitating symptoms even while taking thyroid medication. The AIP helps eliminate the symptoms the medication doesn’t address. Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-disciplinary, Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (nih.gov).

In addition, nutritional supplements may be prescribed such as zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and iodine to support healthy thyroid function. Managing stress, improving sleep, and increasing physical activity are also important components of the AIP.

Read more about the AIP here: Healing Autoimmune Disease Naturally | The Nutrition Factor – Vicky Ellenport | Clinical Nutritionist Melbourne).

If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or an autoimmune condition and want to know more about managing AID naturally, please book in for a complimentary Discovery Session with Vicky Book Appointment (thenutritionfactor.com.au) to find out how AIP may be helpful for you.

Factors that lead to the development of IBD are complex but immune dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, a nutritionally poor diet, environmental factors (such as mould, lead and other toxin exposure), stress, inadequate sleep, and family history are contributing factors.

The symptoms of both UC and CD can be similar and may include abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhoea, constipation, urgency for bowel movements, incomplete bowel evacuation, rectal bleeding, mucus in stools, fever, reduced appetite, weight loss and fatigue.

In both conditions, symptoms follow a pattern of flare and remission, with severity ranging from mild to severe.

Despite sharing these characteristics, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease are different conditions.

Ulcerative Colitis causes swelling and ulcers on the mucosal surface of the lining of the colon and rectum. These ulcers may cause bleeding and discharge mucus or pus. This loss of blood in the stools can lead to Iron Deficiency Anaemia.  UC causes a continuous area of damage along, the large intestine beginning at the anus and spreading upward along the colon, rather than appearing as patches of damage.

Crohn’s Disease causes inflammation in the deeper layers of the mucosal tissue of the intestine and can extend through the entire thickness of the bowel wall. CD can affect several patches along the length of the colon and extend into the small intestine. Inflammation in the small intestine disrupts the proper absorption of nutrients from food and can cause elimination of fats and nutrients due to diarrhoea.

How is IBD diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a detailed case history exploration to understand when and how symptoms began, assess the severity of the symptoms and identify factors that exacerbate and alleviate the symptoms.

Tests used to diagnose IBD include:

Blood Tests may be used to detect inflammation, autoimmune antibodies, nutrient deficiencies (eg iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D etc).

Stool Tests for the presence of blood, pathogens or inflammation markers.

Gastroscopy

• Colonoscopy to identify inflammation, bleeding or ulcers in the large intestine.
• Sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy but only examines the rectum and lower part of the colon.
• Upper Endoscopy is used to examine the small intestine for inflammation, bleeding or ulceration.

Biopsy: tissue may be removed during a gastroscopy to help differentiate between CD and UC.

Imaging Tests such as X-ray, CT scan or MRI may show inflammation, bleeding or ulcers and are often used to differentiate between UC and CD.

Is IBD different from IBS?

Yes!

Though the symptoms may appear to be the same, IBS and IBD are distinctly different conditions.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract which can be seen during diagnostic imaging.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a syndrome, or group of symptoms, that are not caused by the immune system. They may develop due to food intolerances, microbial infection, family history or mood disorder (anxiety/depression).  There is no apparent inflammation in IBS and it does not cause any visible damage or abnormality to the gastrointestinal tract.

Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease with AIP

While autoimmune diseases cannot be cured, careful diet, nutritional supplementation and lifestyle planning can help to improve your symptoms, reduce the severity of IBD flares and maintain longer periods of remission.

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a complementary approach to chronic disease management which focuses on healing the gut to improve immune regulation and reduce the chronic inflammation that causes tissue damage. Trigger foods are eliminated until symptoms resolve and then slowly reintroduced to determine what foods are causing your symptoms. Healing is supported by improving lifestyle factors such as stress reduction, exercise and improved sleep quality.

Recent studies have shown that the AIP diet is an effective adjunct to medical treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. (Clinical Course and Dietary Patterns Among Patients Incorporating the Autoimmune Protocol for Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (P12-010-19) | Current Developments in Nutrition | Oxford Academic (oup.com))

You can read more about the AIP here: Healing Autoimmune Disease Naturally | The Nutrition Factor – Vicky Ellenport | Clinical Nutritionist Melbourne

If you have been diagnosed with IBD and would like to know more about the Autoimmune Protocol or how I can help you manage your autoimmune symptoms, book in for a complimentary Discovery Session here: Book Appointment (thenutritionfactor.com.au)

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Every cell in the body relies on electrical stimulation for proper cellular function. Foods have their own electrical systems which can sometimes interfere with those within the body cells. The result is poor cellular function which can lead to inflammation, immune dysfunction and ultimately disease.
The Hair 500 Bio-Compatibility test allows us to identify the foods which are not compatible with your body and may be the driving factor in your health issues. Removing these reactive and aggravating foods allows the cells to repair and function normally, resulting in a reduction of symptoms and a resolution of health issues.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
The Hair 500 Bio-Compatibility test is a non-invasive test that requires a small hair sample (or saliva if no hair is available) to be collected and sent in for testing. The list of 500 items to be tested covers all food groups as well as bathroom, laundry, and kitchen products. The test includes local and common brands found in Australian supermarkets. If needed, additional food or household items can also be sent in for analysis.

WHAT IS THE COST?
The cost of the test is $257.00 and includes a comprehensive report highlighting the food/household items to be avoided and a list of the foods that are safe to eat. After following the plan for six months you will be able to retest to determine which of those items are able to be reintroduced.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS TEST?
The test is suitable for babies, children, and adults. The test may be helpful for people experiencing symptoms such as:

• Headaches or migraines
• Itchy skin, rashes, acne, hives, eczema, psoriasis
• Hay fever, chronic sinus congestion, wheezing
• Bloating, diarhhoea, constipation, IBS, flatulence
• Fatigue, sleep disorders, restless legs and more!

If you would like to know more about the Hair 500 Bio-Compatibility Test, get in touch with Vicky Ellenport now.

The process of getting an AID diagnosed can be so long, drawn out and frustrating that it is not uncommon for people with AID to be labelled a hypochondriac – a person who fears they are living with a serious, undiagnosed medical condition despite diagnostic tests showing that there is nothing wrong with them – especially in the early stages of illness.

On average, a person will see 5 doctors over the course of several years to finally receive an autoimmune disease diagnosis.

Autoimmune Disease Symptoms

While different autoimmune diseases affect different organs and systems in the body, what they all have in common is that they occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells.

Autoantibodies are immune proteins that target the body’s own healthy tissue when the immune system fails to distinguish between “self” and “non-self”.

The continual attack on the body’s cells causes inflammation and sufficient tissue damage that symptoms of disease begin to emerge.

People with an autoimmune disease may describe long-term struggles with a wide range of symptoms such as: fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, joint pain, recurring infections, skin problems, allergies, migraines, unexplained weight changes, anxiety/depression, low/high blood pressure and more.

Why does it take so long to get an autoimmune disease diagnosis?

• Common, non-specific symptoms. The symptoms of autoimmune conditions vary widely and are generally non-specific, that is, symptoms that may describe any one of a variety of conditions. In the early stages of the illness people will usually present to their doctor or health professional for help with one, primary complaint (e.g., recurring urinary tract infection or persistent acne or inability to lose weight) and many of the other symptoms they are experiencing do not get mentioned. It is not until the practitioner has a full picture of ALL the symptoms, together with a full health history, that the connection between the symptoms becomes clearer, and that the possibility of an AID may become apparent.
• Remission/flare pattern. It is possible for an AID to enter a period of remission, where a person may have very mild symptoms, or even be asymptomatic, for a period. At this time, for an undiagnosed person, it may seem that the illness has resolved and is all but forgotten about. However, when triggered, AID can enter a flare phase when symptoms return suddenly and severely leaving the sufferer exhausted, depleted and in pain.
• Asymptomatic or slow to develop signs and symptoms. Not all Autoimmune Diseases cause symptoms immediately. It is possible to live with an AID for many years before symptoms become apparent or before an incident occurs that leads to an AID diagnosis. For example, ankylosing spondylitis symptoms may develop very gradually and often goes undiagnosed for several years, before it becomes visible on an x-ray. Likewise, Type 1 diabetes involves a gradual destruction of the pancreatic beta cells and it is only diagnosed once 90% of the cells have been destroyed.
• Co-Conditions. It is possible to have more than one AID, in fact having one AID increases the chances of you developing another. When there is more than one AID present, it is possible for one to mask the other. For example you may have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but in actual fact you also may have Coeliac Disease, the symptoms of which contribute to joint pain, but remains undiagnosed if there are no other obvious symptoms.
• Every person is different and, with AID affecting a wide variety of organs and causing such varied symptoms, each presentation of each condition can be different. It is possible that two people may be diagnosed with the same condition with very different symptoms. Alternatively, two people with the same symptoms may be affected by different conditions.

Risk Factors for Autoimmune Disease.

Certain risk factors are known to increase the chances of developing an autoimmune disorder. The presence of any one of these risk factors, along with a description of all the symptoms, can help to get closer to an AID diagnosis.

• Genetics. While members of the same family may suffer from different autoimmune conditions, a predisposition to autoimmune disease does appear to run in families.
• Excess weight is associated with increased risk of developing an AID that affects the joints such as Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis. In addition, adipose tissue, or fat, secretes pro-inflammatory compounds that cause low-grade chronic inflammation and dysregulation of the immune system.
• Smoking. The toxic chemicals that are released when tobacco is burned impacts the immune system by causing inflammation, suppressing immune function, and stimulating the production of autoantibodies.
• Certain medications. The side effects of some pharmaceuticals that are widely used daily can have side effects that involve the immune system and can lead to an autoimmune reaction.
• Infection with a virus, such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), or bacteria, such as Streptococcus, can turn on genes that impede the immune system’s ability to differentiate between self and non-self, initiating an autoimmune reaction.

Are there tests for Autoimmune Disease?

There is no single test to diagnose AID but rather a selection of markers in blood or urine samples which, when put together with the presenting symptoms can lead to an AID diagnosis.

• Autoantibodies: The presence of autoantibodies may indicate an autoimmune disease.
  • Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test. A high level of these autoantibodies may be used to diagnose a systemic AID such as lupus and may be used to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms
  • Rheumatoid Factor (RF) is used to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). A positive test for RF differentiates RA from osteoarthritis and other connective tissue disorders.
  • Thyroid Antibody test (TPO) is used to diagnose Hashimoto’s or Graves disease in conjunction with other thyroid testing.
• Inflammation Markers: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) are used to detect the presence of inflammation, a common characteristic symptom of all AID’s.
• X-Rays, Gastroscopes and Biopsies: may be used to confirm or support an AID diagnosis.

Why do you need a diagnosis?

• Many people suffer with symptoms for many years and finally having a diagnosis can be a validation that it was not just in their mind.
• Knowing what is causing your symptoms allows your health practitioner to tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs.
• Having a diagnosis means that your health care team can anticipate, and help to reduce the risk, of disease progression or future complications.
• It helps you educate yourself and gain a better understanding about your condition and how to manage it.
• It reminds you that you are not alone, and that you can reach out and connect with others with the same condition so that you may support one another.

You have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, so what now?

Once you receive an AID diagnosis, the treatment approach is up to you. As there is no proven cure for AID, treatment is aimed at improving symptoms and promoting remission.

One option is the conventional medicine approach which prescribes pharmaceutical medications to manage symptoms and induce remission.

The other option is the natural medicine approach which aims to determine the underlying cause of your AID and to tailor a treatment plan to improve your symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

As a natural medicine practitioner Vicky works in conjunction with your medical team, using a holistic approach to managing AID that encompasses thorough testing, identification of nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle and dietary recommendations and stress management techniques.

If you have been struggling with a long-term, undiagnosed health issue, or if you have recently been diagnosed with an AID, book in for a complimentary Discovery Session with Vicky to discuss the best options for managing your health.