Hypermobility Nutrition (HSD/EDS).

Dietetics can be a valuable support for hypermobile humans

With hypermobility conditions like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the number of coexisting health issues an individual can experience can often be overwhelming. Gradually working on troubleshooting gastrointestinal symptoms and improving diet quality can not just help to shift digestive concerns, but also other symptoms and conditions related to hypermobility. We aim to simplify your health journey and provide ease and clarity with a step-by-step, individualised approach to nutrition.

Hypermobility 🤝 gut issues - why this happens:  

Hypermobility conditions like HSD & EDS are connective tissue disorders that affect collagen throughout the entire body - including the gastrointestinal tract.

While joint instability and pain are well known symptoms of hypermobility conditions, the impact of hypermobility on digestion, gut health and nutrition is often under-recognised. Because collagen plays a key role in gut structure and function, hypermobility can influence how food is tolerated, digested and absorbed. On a larger scale, living with invisible illness can also impact the day-to-day practicalities of nutrition.

On top of this, HSD/EDS commonly co-exist with a degree of:

• Dysautonomias (aka excess ‘fight-fight-tend-befriend’ tone) such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - which can significantly impact gut motility, hydration, energy levels, brain fog, digestive juice secretion and more.

• Mast cell disorders, such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS; aka when allergy cells over-release inflammatory mediators) - which can again affect gastrointestinal motility, food sensitivities, microbiome health, neurological symptoms, inflammation and more.

Overall, this can result in a complex picture of gut symptoms and systemic health issues (including food sensitivities, motility issues, digestion/absorption issues, blood sugar dysregulation, micronutrient deficiencies) and food issues (unintentionally restricted diets, food fears and disordered eating, burnout around food and meal planning, and more).

At Savvy Dietetics, we aim to take a holistic and flexible approach - grounded in helping you ‘join the dots’ and better understand your body.

When can seeing a dietitian be useful for hypermobility?

• If you have any gut symptoms, or altered food intake in any way

• If you have a new diagnosis of POTS/OH or MCAS, and are seeking support with implementing practical advice around sodium and similar

• If you’re waiting to see a gastroenterologist - but would still like to see if you can ease gut symptoms in the meantime

• If you’re concerned about malnutrition, or have had a reduced dietary intake for a period of time

• If you feel like your gut symptoms, diet restrictions, sensory preferences or other factors are impacting your relationship with food

• If you want a one-off check in to touch base and make sure you’re on a path forward that meets your needs