True health starts from the inside -let’s nurture your gut and the rest will follow
“I support individuals experiencing digestive discomfort to explore potential contributing factors and patterns. Using functional testing and personalised nutrition strategies, we work together to support gut health, improve wellbeing, and help you feel more in control of your day-to-day life”
Gut Health
Natalie Hayes: Naturopathic Nutritionist Dip. NNP mANP
Wondering if IBS might be part of your story?
There’s growing research showing a strong connection between IBS and something called SIBO — that’s Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Basically, it means bacteria have ended up where they don’t belong, and that can lead to all kinds of digestive discomfort.
SIBO doesn’t just show up out of nowhere. It often develops over time, with things like stress, certain medications, sluggish digestion, past surgeries, or even food poisoning playing a role. Everyone’s path looks a little different.
Here’s the good news: once we understand what’s really going on, we can start addressing the root cause. You don’t have to just put up with it — there is a way forward.
When gut issues are left unchecked, they can impact everything — from your energy and mood to your skin and confidence. But by tuning in to what your body needs and supporting it from the inside out, things can change.
It starts with adjusting your diet to temporarily reduce the fuel that gut bacteria feed on. Alongside that, we’ll use functional testing to get a clearer picture of your microbiome.
If SIBO shows up, we may explore targeted antimicrobial support using high-quality supplements, always tailored to you. And if it doesn’t? That’s still valuable information to help guide our next steps.
Each stage is designed to support your long-term gut health — and help you feel more like yourself again.
And you don’t have to do it alone — I’m here to support you, every step of the way.
My Personal Journey with SIBO
It all began when I’d been on medication that lowered my stomach acid, which caused constipation. To ease that, I started using lactulose, which caused terrible stomach pains — and after that, I struggled to have proper, solid bowel movements.
For a long time, the only clear sign something wasn’t quite right was my persistent loose stools — without the usual SIBO symptoms like bloating or cramps. Seemingly unrelated was the fact that I couldn’t reach optimal iron levels even with supplementation, and I was underweight despite eating three quality meals per day.
Putting the pieces together, I decided to get tested for SIBO — and it came back positive. I followed a diet and took microbial supplements, but I made the mistake of thinking the problem was sorted when my stools improved, and I didn’t get retested.
More than a year later, I retested — and found my levels had actually gone up. That was a real wake-up call. This time, I made sure to dig deeper and address the underlying reasons SIBO developed in the first place. I also committed to retesting at the end of the protocol.
Your own path will be unique, but with patience, understanding, and the right support, progress is possible — step by step.
Offering remote one-to-one nutrition consultations.
Struggling with digestive issues? Let’s have a chat!
Bloating, cramps, constipation, or unpredictable trips to the loo can really take the joy out of everyday life. But you don’t have to just “put up with it.”
I’m offering a completely free 15‑minute discovery call where we can talk about what’s been going on with your digestion and how I can support you.
There’s no pressure and no strings attached—just a friendly chat to help you get some clarity and clear next steps toward regaining balance.
Ready to start your journey to a happier, healthier gut? Book your free call today!