In recent years, gut health has moved from a fringe naturopathic concern to one of the most active areas of mainstream medical research. The concept of the gut microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms living in the digestive tract — has fundamentally changed how scientists and clinicians think about everything from immunity and mental health to chronic inflammation and metabolic disease. For Irish people, who have among the highest rates of inflammatory bowel conditions in the world, gut health is a particularly relevant topic.
At The Honey Pot in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, naturopath Pat Coffey has been addressing gut health for over 20 years, long before it became mainstream. This guide covers the key concepts and natural supports — including the increasingly discussed topic of intestinal permeability (often called "leaky gut").
Ireland has some of the world's highest rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — studies suggest IBS affects up to 20% of the Irish population. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is also notably prevalent in Ireland compared to global averages. Coeliac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 Irish people, though many remain undiagnosed.
The modern Irish diet — often heavy in ultra-processed foods, low in fermented foods, and influenced by fast food culture — may contribute to these high rates. The traditional Irish diet of wholegrains, root vegetables, fermented dairy, and oily fish was arguably far more gut-friendly.
The intestinal lining is a remarkable structure — a single layer of epithelial cells covering a surface area roughly the size of a tennis court, separating the gut contents from the bloodstream. These cells are held together by protein structures called "tight junctions." When these tight junctions become compromised, the gut lining becomes more permeable — allowing bacteria, food particles, and other molecules to pass into the bloodstream, potentially triggering immune responses and inflammation.
Increased intestinal permeability is a measurable phenomenon, but it's worth noting that the medical status of "leaky gut" as a clinical diagnosis is still evolving. It is documented in conditions like Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, and other inflammatory conditions. Some researchers believe it may play a role in a broader range of conditions including IBS, chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and even mental health disorders — but this is an area of ongoing research rather than settled science.
L-glutamine is an amino acid (protein building block) that serves as the primary fuel source for the enterocytes — the cells lining the small intestine. It plays a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of the gut lining and supporting tight junction proteins. In medical settings, glutamine is routinely used in clinical nutrition support for critically ill patients partly because of its gut-protective effects.
From a naturopathic perspective, L-glutamine supplementation is one of the most widely used approaches for supporting gut lining integrity. It's available as a powder (typically 5–10g mixed into water or a smoothie, taken on an empty stomach), which is the most cost-effective form. It has a mild taste and is well-tolerated by most people.
Note: those with certain cancers should discuss glutamine supplementation with their oncologist before use, as cancer cells also use glutamine for energy.
Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) bark has been used in North American indigenous healing and in European herbal medicine for digestive complaints for centuries. Its inner bark contains mucilage — a gel-like substance that, when mixed with water, coats and soothes the lining of the digestive tract from mouth to stomach to intestine.
For people with IBS, acid reflux, inflammatory bowel conditions (used alongside — not instead of — medical treatment), or general digestive discomfort, slippery elm has a long tradition of use. It's available as powder (mixed into warm water or added to porridge), capsules, or lozenges. It has a pleasant, slightly sweet flavour that many people find agreeable.
The gut microbiome is central to gut health, and probiotic supplementation is the primary tool for supporting it. Irish people's microbiomes have been significantly disrupted in recent decades by antibiotic overuse (Ireland has historically had one of the highest antibiotic prescription rates in Europe), dietary changes, c-section delivery, and formula feeding.
Key probiotic strains with evidence for specific gut conditions include:
Multi-strain probiotics are commonly recommended for general gut health. Probiotics work best alongside prebiotic foods (soluble fibres that feed beneficial bacteria) — onions, garlic, leeks, bananas, oats, and asparagus are excellent Irish dietary sources of prebiotics.
Bone broth has been part of Irish cooking tradition for generations — the stockpot simmering on the back of the range is a deeply familiar image. Modern nutritional research suggests there are good reasons for this tradition: long-simmered bone broth is rich in gelatin (derived from collagen), glycine, proline, glutamine, and minerals, all of which may support gut lining integrity.
High-quality Irish free-range chicken or grass-fed beef bones are excellent for homemade bone broth. Simmered for 12–24 hours with apple cider vinegar (to help extract minerals), onion, carrot, and celery, it produces a nutrient-rich broth. Bone broth powders and concentrates are also available at health food stores for convenience.
Many people with gut issues have insufficient production of digestive enzymes — the proteins that break down food into absorbable nutrients. Signs can include bloating after meals, undigested food in stools, and discomfort with certain foods. Broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplements (containing amylase, protease, lipase, and sometimes lactase for dairy and alpha-galactosidase for legumes) may support comfortable digestion for those with enzyme insufficiency.
Gut symptoms can indicate serious conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, or colorectal cancer. See your GP if you experience: blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent changes in bowel habit, severe abdominal pain, or symptoms that significantly affect your quality of life. The HSE provides gut health information at hse.ie. Crohn's & Colitis Ireland (crohnscolitis.ie) is an excellent support resource. Never self-diagnose digestive conditions — proper diagnosis is essential before starting any treatment protocol. This guide is for general educational purposes only.
Find L-glutamine, slippery elm, probiotics & digestive enzymes at The Honey Pot, Clonmel
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