Are we too accepting of poor health?

Dr Claudia Lee along with Prof Kerryn Phelps OM and nutritionist Jaime Rose Chalmers have unravelled The Mystery Gut in their new book as a pathway to healing gut conditions and achieving overall health and well being.

Dr Claudia Lee believes we may be so accustomed to feeling brain fog, fatigue, bloating, sleeplessness, mood swings that the symptoms of various gut conditions become our normal way of life.

Dr Lee tells Deborah that it’s possible self-diagnosis some gut conditions and take steps to create a newer, healthier norm.

The first step according to Dr Lee is to notice the physical symptoms present after you consume certain foods. The second is to identify the suspect food and then self-test for intolerances.

The cheapest and easiest way, according to Dr Lee, is to eliminate the suspect food, notice the impact on your body and then reintroduce the food to see if the symptoms reappear.

How long do I have to eliminate the food before I will notice a difference?”

“Usually 2-3 weeks will give you a good idea. Six is better, but 2-3 weeks is more doable,” said Dr Lee.

“You can either do a couple of things you suspect all at the same time and then rechallenge them at different times or there are some blood tests that can help with intolerances, but it’s not as accurate,” said Dr Lee.

“A food allergy is very obvious,” said Dr Lee.

So does that mean the end of all the “good stuff”?

“Food is not a punishment and it’s not all about restrictions, it’s about well being and being vital,” said Dr Lee.

“Choose the option that makes you feel better most of the time,” said Dr Lee.

As practitioners, Prof Phelps and Dr Lee know the problems caused by poor gut health and how an uneasy gut can make life miserable. Symptoms such as weight gain, diarrhoea and cramping are common, but few people receive a definitive disease label. Most of us are entirely unaware that by taking care of our gut we can improve our overall health.

In this meticulously researched and highly practical book, the doctors explain how we are on the threshold of a major revolution in the way we think about the gut and its relevance to our health. They explain common medical problems – from IBS to various food intolerances – and show you what’s going on and what to do about it.

Featuring a comprehensive guide on the mysteries of microbiota, a plethora practices and treatments to restore your energy, and 30 recipes to revitalise and heal your gut – produced with nutritionist and clinical dietitian Jaime Chambers – this is an essential guide to fixing your gut and improving your wellbeing.

The Mystery Gut by Professor Kerryn Phelps AM with Dr Claudia Lee & Jaime Rose Chambers is available now.

About Dr Claudia Lee

DR CLAUDIA LEE is a General Practitioner of 15 years who graduated of from the University of Sydney. She has extensive training in women & children’s health, critical care & travel medicine. She currently practises in Sydney and is a regular contributor to Women’s Fitness Magazine.