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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
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The Gut Health Revolution

General Health & Wellbeing, Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Wed, June 25, 2025 10:05AM

by Jan Cooper

The Rise of Gut Health Awareness

Over the past few years, gut health has become a hot topic. From social media influencers to scientific researchers, everyone seems to be talking about the power of the microbiome, how to heal your gut and which gut friendly foods to eat. Although this can be a bit overwhelming, there’s a good reason everyone’s talking about it. More people are recognising that how we feel, both physically and mentally, can be deeply influenced by the health of our digestive system. This growing awareness isn’t just a trend; it reflects an important shift in how we understand the body as a whole. With increasing rates of IBS, food intolerances, skin conditions, and even mental health challenges, the spotlight on gut health has never been more necessary.

What Is Gut Health?

Gut health refers to the balance and function of the entire gastrointestinal tract.  The trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms living in the intestines, collectively known as the gut microbiome is vital for not only the health of the gut, but the health of the whole body. While digestion is the process of breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, gut health goes beyond digestion. A healthy gut microbiome supports immunity, hormone regulation, mental clarity, and even your ability to manage weight. It’s about balance—not too much of one strain of bacteria, and not too little of another. It’s also about the integrity of the gut lining and the immune system. Imbalances can have far reaching effects.

The Gut-Body Connection

Our gut is intricately connected to every major system in the body. Roughly 70% of the immune system is located in the gut, making it our first line of defence against illness. Then there’s the gut-brain axis—a communication superhighway between the digestive system and the brain. This connection means that gut health has a direct impact on mental health, influencing mood, stress response, and conditions like anxiety and depression. Studies show that certain strains of gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are key to emotional balance and wellbeing.

Signs of Poor Gut Health

How do you know if your gut might need some attention? Here are some common indications:

  • Bloating and gas
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Digestive issues like IBS, constipation, or diarrhoea
  • Skin problems such as acne, eczema, or rosacea
  • Sugar cravings or irregular appetite
  • Brain fog and poor concentration
  • Mood swings or increased anxiety

These symptoms are often signals that the balance in your gut microbiome may be off.

The Statistics: Gut Health on the Rise

According to the NHS, around 1 in 5 people in the UK suffer from IBS or other functional gut disorders. The British Gut Project, led by researchers from King’s College London, has also highlighted the importance of microbial diversity, linking it to better overall health outcomes. In recent years, sales of probiotic supplements and fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, and kombucha have soared, reflecting a growing public interest in gut health solutions. The UK probiotic market alone is expected to reach over £650 million by 2026.

Lifestyle Habits That Harm Gut Health

Modern life isn’t always gut-friendly. Daily habits that can negatively impact your digestive system include:

  • Frequent consumption of fast food and ultra-processed foods
  • Excessive sugar and artificial sweeteners
  • Chronic stress and anxiety
  • Overuse of antibiotics and certain medications
  • Lack of fibre and plant diversity in the diet
  • Poor sleep habits
  • Sedentary lifestyle

These factors can all reduce microbial diversity, increase inflammation, and contribute to poor gut function.

Gut Health is the Foundation, NOT a Fad

Gut health isn’t just a wellness buzzword—it’s a vital pillar of whole-body health. From immunity and hormone balance to energy levels and mental wellbeing, the gut plays a central role. By understanding and supporting our gut microbiome, we take a major step toward addressing not just digestive complaints but a wide range of chronic health issues. So whether you’re starting with small changes like adding more fibre to your meals, or exploring nutritional therapy for a deeper reset, one thing is clear: taking care of your gut is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health.

Jan Cooper

Nutritional Therapist at Acorn Natural Health Centre



Yeast Overgrowth

General Health & Wellbeing Posted by JadwigaPosted on Thu, January 27, 2022 12:01PM

When people talk about yeast overgrowth in the body, they are referring to harmful yeast organisms. Candidiasis is by far the most common type of yeast infection, and there are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans (a type of fungus).

We all have small amounts of Candida growing in our digestive tracts and living on our skin. This (along with other harmful gut flora, such as fungi, parasites and bacteria), is usually kept in check by our “friendly” bacteria. In this way, Candida normally co-exists with many other types of bacteria, in a state of balance in and on our bodies.

When things go wrong

It is only when our natural defences are out of balance that we become vulnerable to overgrowth – in other words, the levels of harmful gut flora that can make us ill start to exceed the number of beneficial bacteria which help to keep us well. Illness, poor digestion, a high-sugar diet and medication (such as antibiotics, which destroy both good and bad bacteria), are all examples of factors that can create the perfect environment for dysbiosis – the technical term for too many bad bugs.

In fact, yeast overgrowth is a common manifestation of dysbiosis. When the immune system is under strain, or the liver is functioning poorly, Candida (an opportunistic organism) is able to flourish. If allowed to remain, it can grow in the mucous membrane lining of the small intestine, where it can take root and cause damage. For instance, Candida can worsen any ‘leaks’ in an already inflamed gut (such as those seen in cases of leaky gut syndrome). If the yeast is permitted to enter the bloodstream, it can then also travel to various other parts of the body and promote multiple fungal infections.

Some of the more common signs of Candida overgrowth include:

  • fatigue
  • sugar cravings
  • brain fog
  • food allergies / intolerances
  • blurred vision
  • depression
  • digestive problems
  • joint pain
  • muscle pain
  • chronic diarrhoea
  • yeast vaginitis
  • bladder infections
  • menstrual problems
  • and constipation.

The end result of a prolonged infection can be an immune system that becomes overwhelmed with toxins and reacts by producing antibodies and inflammatory chemicals. In these circumstances, it can be useful to review your overall lifestyle, paying particular attention to your diet, toxic load, hormonal balance and digestion – it is estimated that as much as 70% of our immune system resides in the digestive tract.

The role of diet

The average modern diet and lifestyle are not always conducive to healthy levels of gut flora and efficient digestion, which can in turn make us more prone to yeast overgrowth and a strained immune system. For example, we are exposed to an ever-increasing amount of toxins and chemicals, not least from the processed foods we eat, as well as the pollution and contaminants in the air we breathe and water we drink. It is therefore now generally accepted that people suffering from Candida albicans overgrowth can benefit from the following:

1. Eliminating certain foods and drinks from the diet, which ‘feed’ the Candida and inflame the gut: Some foods provide energy directly to the Candida yeast, while others impact the digestive system, the immune system and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. If you want to beat Candida overgrowth and avoid it in the future, give your body the best possible chance by avoiding them. Good examples are refined sugar, white flour, alcohol, caffeine, chemical-laden processed foods, foods containing yeasts or fungi (such as mushrooms, cheese and milk) and other acid-forming foods. Wherever reasonably possible, also minimise your use of medication (such as antibiotics).

2. Incorporating more of certain foods into the diet: Just as there are certain foods worth avoiding as part of an anti-Candida diet, there are also certain foods that can support your body’s recovery, your immune system and help to restore gut health. Increase your intake of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables (preferably raw, organic and seasonal). These natural whole foods are packed with dietary fibre, enzymes and other cleansing and protective nutrients (such as antioxidants, amino acids and phyto-chemicals). They are also naturally alkalising – a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut and a strong immune system is thought to be assisted by a diet which maintains the correct acid/alkaline balance.

3. Taking probiotics: As yeast overgrowth is often linked to an imbalance in bowel flora (as mentioned above), there is also a good case for taking probiotics (good bacteria). This can be through fermented foods or probiotic supplements. Some of the best probiotic foods include kefir, sauerkraut, miso, tofu and tempeh. If you choose to take probiotic supplements, it is a good idea to opt for high-strength, multi-strain products, with bacteria that colonise the gut.

4. Boosting the immune system: It is thought that overgrowth of yeast tends mainly to occur in those with weakened immune systems or those whose levels of good bacteria have been diminished as a result of some external factor (for instance through stress, pregnancy and/or the use of antibiotics, birth control pills or steroids).

As mentioned above, failure to promptly address a yeast overgrowth infection can lead to Candida organisms entering the bloodstream and colonising other areas of the body, such as the urinary tract, vagina, nails, mouth and skin. This level of infection can result in a chronic systemic problem, with large numbers of yeast germs further weakening the immune system and perpetuating the problem.

Candida albicans can produce around 75 toxic substances that are poisonous to the body. These toxins can contaminate tissue and weaken everything from the immune system, liver and kidneys, to the lungs, brain and nervous system. It would therefore logically be beneficial to take proactive steps to boost your immune system during a Candida infection. This might include cleansing and detoxifying your body, increasing your intake of organic whole food nutrients and (as suggested above) ensuring healthy levels of good bacteria in your gut.