4 ways to ease bloating, constipation and improve your gut health beyond diet | Dr Rabia Topan

2026-06-17

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SHOW NOTESThis episode is for anyone dealing with constipation, bloating, reflux, abdominal pain or IBS.And really, anyone who wants to protect their gut, reduce stress and feel better overall.When we think about gut health, we usually start with food… what to eat, what to cut out, which diet or supplement to try next.And while nutrition is foundational, there’s another side we don’t talk about enough: the constant conversation between your brain and your gut 🧠💬My guest today is Dr Rabia Topan

SHOW NOTES

This episode is for anyone dealing with constipation, bloating, reflux, abdominal pain or IBS.

And really, anyone who wants to protect their gut, reduce stress and feel better overall.

When we think about gut health, we usually start with food… what to eat, what to cut out, which diet or supplement to try next.

And while nutrition is foundational, there’s another side we don’t talk about enough: the constant conversation between your brain and your gut 🧠💬

My guest today is Dr Rabia Topan, an NHS consultant gastroenterologist and PhD researcher specialising in disorders of gut–brain interaction like IBS. She works at The Functional Gut Clinic with people who’ve often had “normal” tests for years, but very real symptoms.

She’s also trained in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy and yoga, bringing a practical, mind–body approach to gut health.

We cover 👇

• Breathwork techniques and why slowing your breath to around 6 breaths per minute can shift you into “rest and digest”

• What the gut–brain axis actually is

• Simple daily movements and pelvic floor exercises to support gut function

• Practical toilet training tips for children

• How cognitive reframing and gut-directed hypnotherapy can ease bloating, constipation and IBS

• One habit you can start today to calm your nervous system and support your gut every morning

🔗 Key links

• Dr Rabia’s website with resources, yoga videos and more

• Gut–brain hypnotherapy audio you can try at home

Important disclaimer: The patient mentioned in this episode gave full consent for their story to be shared.