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Gut Health and Why It Matters
Medically reviewed by Dr Theodora Bravi
Founder & Specialist Prosthodontist
- Last updated August 2026
In 30 seconds…
Gut health has become one of the most talked-about areas in medicine — and for good reason. The balance of bacteria and other microbes in your digestive system, known as the gut microbiome, influences far more than digestion. From immunity and skin health to mood and energy levels, your gut plays a vital role in overall wellbeing.
At Thames Dental & Skin, Dr Theodora Bravis offers a science-backed approach to gut health through advanced testing such as microbiome analysis and nutrigenomics. By uncovering imbalances, we can help patients make lasting changes that improve daily life — not just quick fixes, but strategies for long-term health.
Table of Contents
What Do We Mean by “Gut Health”?
When we talk about gut health, we mean how well your digestive system is functioning – and whether
the bacteria in your intestines are balanced. A healthy gut is one that digests food comfortably,
absorbs nutrients efficiently, and supports your immune system.
An unhealthy gut, on the other hand, might show up as:
- Persistent bloating or abdominal discomfort.
- Changes in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhoea, or both).
- Low energy or brain fog.
- Skin flare-ups such as acne or eczema.
- Poor sleep or mood changes.
Why Your Gut Affects More Than Digestion
The gut is sometimes called the body’s “second brain”. Here’s why it matters for your overall health:
- Immunity: Around 70% of your immune system is in the gut. A balanced microbiome helps your body defend against harmful bacteria and viruses.
- Nutrition: Good gut bacteria aid digestion and even produce certain vitamins, like B vitamins and vitamin K.
- Mood & Energy: The gut and brain are closely connected. Most of your serotonin (a “feel good” chemical) is produced in the gut. Imbalances can contribute to fatigue, low mood and anxiety.
- Skin: Research shows gut imbalances can contribute to acne, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Oral health connection: The mouth and gut are part of the same system. Gum disease and poor oral health can influence gut bacteria, and vice versa.
Practical Tips for Supporting Gut Health
Small changes to your lifestyle can make a real difference. Here are four steps you can take:
- Eat more fibre and variety: Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts feed good bacteria. Aim for a wide range of plant foods each week.
- Include fermented foods: Yoghurt with live cultures, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi all provide beneficial bacteria.
- Cut down on processed foods and excess sugar: These encourage less beneficial bacteria and can increase inflammation.
- Prioritise sleep and stress management: Poor sleep and chronic stress can both disrupt your gut microbiome.
Discover our Skin Health Programme
A personalised pathway to clearer, healthier skin, combining professional LED therapy and chemical peels with expert guidance at every stage.
- A personalised plan built around your skin
- Professional LED therapy and chemical peels
- Expert guidance from consultation through to long-term results
How We Can Help at Thames Dental & Skin
For many patients, simple changes are enough. But if symptoms persist, professional testing can
provide deeper insights. At our clinic we offer:
Health & Wellness Consultation
Your starting point for a tailored health journey. Discuss your concerns with Dr. Bravis, explore your goals, and receive expert advice on the best services for your needs.
Redeemable consultation fee: £150
Ideal For: Fatigue, hormone balance, gut health, and skin concerns
Skin DNA & Genetic Health Test
Understand how your genes influence skin health with advanced nutrigenomics testing. Discover how to optimise hydration, collagen production, and skin sensitivity through personalised recommendations.
Ideal For: Acne, pigmentation, ageing, and inflammation
Comprehensive Gut Microbiome Test
Identify imbalances in your gut microbiome that could be affecting digestion, immunity, and skin health. Advanced stool testing reveals bacterial diversity, inflammation markers, and gut health insights.
Ideal For: Gut health, IBS, skin conditions, and infections
DNA Nutrition & Metabolism Test
Gain insights into how your body processes nutrients with advanced nutrigenomics testing. Get personalised diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on your unique genetic profile.
Ideal For: Metabolism, nutrient absorption, and skin health
Advanced Hormone Imbalance Test
Comprehensive hormone testing to assess thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive hormone levels. Get a tailored plan to restore balance and improve energy, mood, and metabolism.
Ideal For: Fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, and sleep issues
Functional & Genetic Health Testing
Advanced diagnostic testing to uncover hidden health challenges, including nutrient deficiencies, food intolerances, and hormonal imbalances. Personalised insights for long-term wellness.
Ideal For: Nutrient deficiencies, food intolerances, and hormone imbalances
Together, these tests allow us to design personalised health strategies. For some patients this means
dietary changes; for others, it may involve supplements, stress management techniques, or targeted treatment.
Your expert: Dr Theodora Bravi
Dr Theodora Bravi is founder and clinical lead at Thames Dental & Skin. Trained at Guy’s and King’s College Hospitals, with a background in Harley Street and over 25 years practising in Thames Ditton, she combines restorative and cosmetic dentistry with facial aesthetics, skin health and functional health diagnostics.
Key takeaways
Gut health is about more than digestion. The gut microbiome interacts with many aspects of overall health, including nutrient absorption, immune function, skin health and the gut-brain connection. Supporting a healthy gut involves consistent lifestyle habits and, when symptoms persist, understanding whether further assessment could be helpful.
The key things to remember about gut health are:
- Gut health involves both digestion and the gut microbiome, including how effectively you digest food, absorb nutrients and support normal immune function.
- Digestive symptoms can take different forms, including persistent bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea and changes in bowel habits.
- The gut can interact with other areas of health, including immunity, energy, mood, sleep and skin health.
- Diet plays an important role in supporting the gut microbiome, with a varied intake of fibre-rich plant foods helping provide nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria.
- Fermented foods can form part of a healthy diet, with options such as live-culture yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi providing beneficial microorganisms.
- Sleep and stress management also matter, as ongoing stress and poor sleep can influence digestive health and the gut microbiome.
- Reducing highly processed foods and excess sugar can support healthier eating patterns, particularly when these foods are replacing fibre-rich and nutrient-dense options.
- Not everyone with digestive symptoms needs gut testing, but assessment may be worth considering when symptoms continue despite appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
- A personalised approach can be more useful than quick fixes, with professional assessment and, where appropriate, microbiome or functional health testing helping inform tailored dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
At Thames Dental & Skin in Thames Ditton, Dr Theodora Bravis takes a personalised approach to gut health, starting with your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and goals. Where appropriate, a Comprehensive Gut Microbiome Test or other functional health assessments can provide additional information to help guide practical changes for longer-term wellbeing.
Related insights from Thames
FAQs
Not always. But if you’ve tried dietary changes and still experience ongoing bloating, fatigue, or skin issues, testing can help uncover what’s happening.
You’ll meet with Dr Bravis to discuss your history, lifestyle and symptoms. If testing is recommended, we’ll explain the process and next steps.
No — while our clinic is based in Thames Ditton, we regularly see patients from across Surrey, including Surbiton, Kingston, Cobham, Esher, Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames and Molesey. Many patients travel to us for gut microbiome testing and functional health consultations.
