Tess Ström
NUTRITION & FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Digestive Health
GUT HEALTH & DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS
Addressing the Underlying Issues
Living with digestive discomfort is exhausting. The physical symptoms are bad enough, but there's also the anxiety around eating out, the frustration of unexplained bloating, and the brain fog that follows every meal. If you've been told "it's just IBS" or "try eating more fibre," you know that generic advice isn't enough. These labels don't explain why you're bloated after meals, why certain foods cause problems, or why nothing seems to help consistently. You need answers, not guesswork.
Are you experiencing any of these?
Persistent bloating, especially after meals
Irregular bowel movements (constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating between the two)
Acid reflux or heartburn
Abdominal pain or cramping after eating
Growing list of food sensitivities
Fatigue and brain fog linked to digestion
Skin issues or joint pain that won't shift
MY APPROACH
Understanding the Common Threads
Traditional approaches focus on suppressing symptoms. My approach investigates why your digestive system is struggling, then creates a targeted plan to support optimal function. I investigate multiple factors that impact gut health including:
The Microbiome - Bacterial overgrowth, yeast, parasites, or depleted beneficial bacteria.
The Gut Barrier - Compromised gut lining can allow undigested particles into your bloodstream. This can trigger food sensitivities, inflammation, and autoimmune reactions.
Digestive Function - Insufficient stomach acid and enzymes preventing proper breakdown and absorption of food. Low stomach acid is common and can cause bloating, reflux, and nutrient deficiencies.
Stress & The Gut-Brain Axis - Chronic stress disrupting digestive function, motility, and gut bacteria balance.
Functional Testing
To understand what's driving your symptoms, functional testing can provide valuable insights.
I may recommend:
Comprehensive Stool Analysis - Bacteria, parasites, yeast, inflammation markers, digestive function
SIBO Breath Testing - Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Food Sensitivity Panels - Specific inflammatory triggers
Intestinal Permeability Testing - Gut barrier integrity assessment
My testing recommendations will be based on our discussion of your symptoms and history during your initial consultation.
WORK WITH ME
How we work together
Most digestive health clients benefit from my 6-month Restore Programme, allowing time to:
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Investigate - Functional testing to explore potential underlying factors
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Remove - Address overgrowths and inflammatory triggers
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Replace - Optimise digestive enzymes and stomach acid production
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Re-inoculate - With targeted prebiotics and probiotics
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Repair - Support gut lining restoration and barrier function
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Rebalance - Maintain long-term gut health and expand dietary tolerance