A woman from Chipping Campden has finally found relief from years of unexplained bloating and digestive discomfort by identifying intolerances to several common foods.
Catherine Taylor, 45, experienced no digestive problems during her twenties, but in her late thirties, she began suffering constant abdominal discomfort with no apparent cause. “I couldn’t pinpoint what it was,” Catherine explained. “I thought maybe it was just related to my menstrual cycle or perhaps a symptom of perimenopause. At times, I assumed it was just a ‘mummy pooch’-something I had to accept as part of getting older.”
Her symptoms worsened over time, culminating last year with Catherine describing her stomach as feeling “like there was a balloon inside it.” She also experienced painful trapped wind and frequent discomfort that sometimes left her lying on the floor with a hot water bottle.
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These persistent symptoms began to affect her confidence and social life significantly. “It stopped me from being social because I didn’t want to go out,” she said. “I lost my confidence. You don’t want to be at someone’s house or a restaurant feeling really uncomfortable. I also stopped wearing clothes I liked because the bloating was so noticeable and made me self-conscious.”
After visiting her GP and undergoing a series of blood tests for allergies and potential cancers, all results came back clear. Left without answers, Catherine decided to explore alternative options herself. “I thought, ‘I’m going to have to do my own research,’” she said. “That’s when I found Supply Life. I had nothing to lose, so I contacted them and took a food intolerance test.”
Supply Life specialises in tests that measure IgG antibodies in the blood, which can indicate sensitivities to particular foods. Catherine’s results revealed intolerances to cow’s milk, gluten, white potatoes, and nuts - all staples of her daily diet.
“I was nearly in tears when I saw the results,” Catherine recalled. “It was a real mental challenge to realise that over half of what I ate every day could have been causing my symptoms.”
Alongside her test results, Catherine received a tailored meal plan and a list of substitute foods, enabling her to make significant dietary changes. Within a few months, the effects were remarkable.
“By around four or five months, the change was significant. My stomach was flatter, I felt more comfortable, and I had a lot more energy. I wasn’t experiencing those sluggish afternoon dips anymore,” she said.
The positive changes extended beyond her physical health. “Going out to restaurants used to be stressful,” Catherine shared. “Now I look at the menu in advance, but I’m much more confident in social settings. Even friends at barbecues are aware of my dietary needs, so there is always something I can eat. It’s a huge improvement.”
Catherine encourages others experiencing similar unexplained digestive issues to seek answers. “First, go to your GP,” she advised. “If you don’t get any answers, that’s where something like Supply Life can help. My GP suggested the FODMAP diet, but that is quite challenging and takes time. Supply Life gave me a much more targeted picture much faster.”