Ep 46: Calming the Gut-Brain Axis

Annie shares her story of how the bulimia she developed as a teenager morphed into food sensitivity restrictions while she was enrolled in a “wellness” program. She developed chronic health problems and believed that food was the cause and that a restricted diet was the cure. Annie shares how these restrictions impacted her life and how she broke out of the trap and is now enjoying freedom from food. Annie is a recovered trauma-informed eating disorder mentor and intuitive eating facilitator with a dedicated focus on addressing misinformation in wellness spaces. She connects individuals with vital resources and offers specialized eating disorder recovery coaching, collaborating closely with other treatment providers. Her mission is to guide individuals towards a healthier relationship to food and self, while also equipping them with the skills to navigate and discern accurate information amidst the challenges of misinformation in wellness environments. You can read more about her story here.

Amy Slabaugh is a returning podcast guest. We released an episode in September 2023 talking about her journey with chronic, debilitating headaches and the importance of taking one road at a time (i.e. systematically trialling new treatments). Through this approach, she discovered brain training tools that dramatically improved her quality of life. Amy Slabaugh is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in intuitive eating and the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In her practice, she loves working with people to foster a positive relationship with food and learn to nourish their bodies in a way that promotes health. For those who are experiencing adverse reactions in response to food, her goal is to help clients work toward minimizing their symptoms and improving their quality of life. Providing counseling for clients as they work through the C-FAST Treatment course is a great way to do this. You can reach Amy at AmySlabaugh.com.

Dr. Biesiekierski discusses her groundbreaking research, highlighting the interaction between mind and body in food sensitivity reactions in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Her research was a key finding to support IBS (and other conditions) being classified as Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI).   Dr. Biesiekierski's research focuses on improving diet management for gastrointestinal disorders (particularly irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia) through mechanistic insights along the gut-brain axis. She is a researcher and senior lecturer with the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University in Australia. You can reach Dr. Biesiekierski through the Monash University website here.

Dr. Laurie Keefer discusses how a flexible, curious and resilient mindset makes food reintroduction easier. She will also share her expertise and practical tips on how to make this change. Dr Laurie Keefer, PhD is a GI Health Psychologist and Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. She has a more than 20 years of experience in the development and implementation of behavioral therapies for chronic digestive disorders, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). She currently directs the GRITT Program, an integrated care model for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients within the IBD Center at Mount Sinai Hospital. She maintains a clinical practice focused on psychosocial concerns among medically complex IBD. If you would like help from a GI Psychologist, please visit the GastroPsych section on the Rome Foundation website (access here).

Health psychology focuses on how biological, social and psychological factors influence all aspects of health. However, many people are reluctant to see a health psychologist because the recommendation can sound like, “Your symptoms are in your head” or “Your symptoms are caused by stress; just relax, and you will feel better.” This is such a prevalent problem that I wanted to learn more about this field and explore the difference between health psychology and general mental health counselling. We are fortunate to have Dr. Megan Riehl on the podcast today to explain the difference. Dr. Megan Riehl is a GI psychologist who is a key opinion leader in the area of psychogastroenterology. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Clinical Director of GI behavioral health at the University of Michigan. She is also the Director of Behavioral Health Services and Support for GI OnDemand. Dr. Riehl's clinical research focuses on the delivery of GI behavioral health treatment for patients with disorders of the gut-brain and IBD. Dr. Riehl participates on several national committees dedicated to research and education to enhance the psychosocial functioning of patients with gastrointestinal problems. Together with expert GI dietitian Kate Scarlata, she has co-authored a new book for those living with IBS – Mind Your Gut. Mind Your Gut is available in March 2024. Learn more here.

Food sensitivity is rarely a simple cause and effect. Biological and psychological factors interplay to produce symptoms. We will talk about the role of symptom expectancy (i.e., nocebo response) in exacerbating symptom severity and how minimizing expectancy can dramatically improve quality of life. Dr. Simons is a GI psychologist in the Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute at the Cleveland Clinic and specializes in treating motility related gastrointestinal conditions. She is particularly interested in the precipitants and consequences of dietary modification in digestive disease and the overlap between gynecologic and gastrointestinal conditions. Listeners can contact Dr. Simons via email at [email protected].

We will discuss how signals between the gut and the brain (gut-brain access) become amplified in irritable bowel syndrome and strategies for calming this communication. The brain similarly communicates with other body parts, so the concepts and strategies apply to symptoms throughout the body. Joanna Baker is a Dietitian & a Nurse who loves food. Her passion for digestive health stems from a long history of living with gut problems. Joanna knows first-hand how debilitating gut problems can be, but also how much better life is when its well managed. At Everyday Nutrition she works with a team of amazing dietitians who love to support people to resolve digestive issues and make peace with food.

When there is no clear treatment path for your symptoms, you may feel lost or confused by the contradicting treatment options. The frustration often leads to not doing anything (being stuck) or jumping from one thing to the next. Amy will talk about her journey exploring one road at a time. Amy Slabaugh is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in intuitive eating and the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In my practice, I love working with people to foster a positive relationship with food and learn to nourish their bodies in a way that promotes health. For those who are experiencing adverse reactions in response to food, my goal is to help you work toward minimizing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. Providing counseling for clients as they work through the FAST Freedom Program is a great way to do this. You can reach Amy at AmySlabaugh.com.

You are probably familiar with the vicious cycle of food avoidance leading to additional sensitivities. Dr. Burton Murray will share her clinical experience, and research showing this cycle can be reversed! She describes avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and how cognitive behaviour therapy can help patients regain a full quality of life. Dr. Helen Burton Murray is the Director of GI Behavioral Health in the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Neurointestinal Health. Dr. Burton Murray specializes in psychogastroenterology, specifically in the intersection of gastrointestinal conditions and eating disorders. She has a particular expertise in the treatment of rumination syndrome and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.  To learn more about the GI behavioural Health clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Neurointestinal Health, please call 617-726-5565.

When patients do not have a diagnosis and concrete management plan for their symptoms, they typically feel helpless and out of control. Johannah Ruddy shares her story of working with Dr. Drossman to take charge of her health. Subscribe to receive a  summary of the valuable tips after each episode. Get off the elimination diet roller coaster, rebuild your food trust and expand your diet with support from the FAST Freedom Program. Johannah is a doctoral student in the School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences at Campbell University and her research is focused on the impact of stigma in chronic illness and gender based health care inequalities. She is also the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Rome Foundation. In addition to her professional experience, she is a digestive health patient and patient advocate. Dr. Douglas Drossman is trained in both gastroenterology and psychiatry. He is professor emeritus of medicine and psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, President Emeritus and chief executive officer of the Rome Foundation and president of the center for education and practice of biopsychosocial care and DrossmanCare. Dr. Drossman and Johannah have co-authored two books in their Gut Feelings Series: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and the Patient-Doctor Relationship and The Patient's Story. Personal Accounts of the Illness Journey.