For this edition of our Q&A series we spoke to Louise Macnab, founder of JERMS - a gut health supplement brand. Their Daily Gut blend offers Probiotics and Prebiotic Fibre in combination with Digestive Enzymes and Organic Superfoods. Earlier this year Louise hosted a Get To Know Your Gut masterclass with The Self Love Lab where she discussed all things gut-health, how our digestive health is intrinsically tied to our wellbeing and how we can support our guts everyday.

In this Q&A we spoke about Louise’s career, why she founded JERMS and of course her approach to self-love:

MEET LOUISE

There seems to be a distinct lack of information available about how we can support our guts and our digestion. We know so little about this part of our body. What do you think about the current way our medical system approaches this?

Because the science around the gut microbiome and the pivotal role our gut bacteria play is still relatively new, many GP's simply haven't received medical training in this area. They also receive minimal training in the importance of nutrition. I know when I was being diagnosed for chronic stress and fatigue, I went through so many doctors who all had different opinions. It was only when I went to a specialist practitioner that they looked at all my symptoms in tandem and suggested I could have leaky gut. We tend to treat our symptoms as exclusive, like our body parts are separate and not tied to a complete whole person. We should look to treat things holistically.

In your workshop we had a whole discussion about how we understand our guts and looked at FODMAP and elimination diets as a solution to working out our digestive issues, could you briefly explain these concepts?

People with gut issues can be sensitive to FODMAPs - which is an acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. They are basically short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine absorbs poorly. Sometimes in the process of healing your gut a dietician may suggest to you to go on a low FODMAP diet, where you start eliminating these various FODMAPs. There is quite a range of them, from vegetables to fruits, to protein. Its really quite vast so its important you do this with a dietician or nutritionist. The idea is, while you gradually eliminate, you also re-introduce. I know alot of people with gut issues, including myself, are already on quite a restrictive diet because we’re so sensitive. Its really important that you’re not restricting yourself further. For three months/12 weeks keep a food diary, each day you write what you have eliminated today and how you’re feeling. Hopefully you will work out what are potentially your trigger foods. Normally there are around one or two, you work with a professional to reintroduce back into your diet. For me, like many people with gut issues it was garlic and onions, particularly raw. Now I have eliminated them permanently from my diet which has really helped me. I stress, its not complete elimination but also re-introduction.

I appreciate that you mentioned restriction as I think this is a big issue for people with gut issues. They often go down a route where there’s so much restriction that theres little room for freedom and flexibility. You mentioned this in your workshop by saying variety is so important and can support our health.

Would you say it’s important to try different routes for investigating your triggers?

The science says the optimal diet for good gut health is to be eating 30 different plants a week. Now that doesn’t mean to be vegan for vegetarian, it just means you should be including this. This can be alongside meat, fish, dairy etc. Variety and diversity is key, your gut bacteria feed on different things. When we talk about having a healthy gut we are referring to having a diverse array of bacteria in your gut and so that bacteria needs different foods to consume. Variety is so so important. I get it, I fell into that trap of restriction. Before JERMS when I was working as a corporate lawyer and doing super long hours I was doing so much meal prep. A lot of people do when they just don’t have the time. But I ended up eating the same thing for lunch and dinner 3/4 times a week. It is important to get variety in what you’re eating.

Theres definitely a lot of traction nowadays for eating 30 plants a week, how to be more ‘plant-based’ in our diets. We find a lot of the lesser spoken about foods coming into the spotlight like seeds. Some of the ingredients in JERMS are similarly quite unique and not a lot of people get them in their everyday diet, so what went into choosing your product ingredients?

I knew I had to take a holistic approach. The gut health market is very crowded, there is a lot of probiotics on the market. Now, probiotics are important, they are the good bacteria. But, for myself having leaky gut, sometimes when you’re gut isn’t healed you need to have that context to put in that bacteria. So I wanted a more complete gut supplement that took a 360 degree approach. Yes, we have that probiotic in there, but also we’ve also got prebiotic fibre. The prebiotics are food for the probiotics. The science says when you take the two together they are more effective. The bacteria comes in and they automatically have that food. We also have digestive enzymes like Bromelain which is the indigestible part of pineapple, organic superfoods like Aquamin which is found in red seaweed and is high in vitamins and minerals, organic flaxseed protein powder which is high in omega-3s. These all natural ingredients target inflammation, soothe the gut and heal it.

When you have a consumer product that you ingest it has to be palatable, and also convenient to take. You can add it to smoothies, cold drinks or in breakfast foods. JERMs is neutral in flavour and 100% natural. I wanted to retain the integrity of the ingredients and not add any sweeteners. It took a lot of time figuring out how to do that. A lot of my customers drink it in water. I admit it doesn’t always look appetising with its brown colour, during taste tests people are always apprehensive but say it tastes like tea, or maybe they taste a bit of the ginger. Its a balance between keeping it all natural and also palatable, but I think we’ve struck that with JERMS.

How important was taste as a variable?

So the basics, why is this a daily gut supplement?

Like any supplement, consistency is key. It takes 3 months to build back up your gut microbiome. Everyones starting point will be different, like our fingerprints, everyone’s gut is unique. For some, you might notice relief from bloating almost immediately, others take more time. You have to take it daily and consistently. Our gut microbiome can fluctuate a lot, just as quickly as it can build back up, it can just as easily go the other way.

It is free of the main allergens, its gluten free and vegan. It is also FODMAP friendly and all natural ingredients that each have been scientifically proven to be good for your gut. It is also high in fibre, which 9/10 of us in the UK are deficient in.

Will it work alongside any diet?

How did you do the research behind what would go into JERMS?

I came up with the concept from my own experience of going through gut issues. I was told I needed a probiotic, prebiotics to take with it. I also needed digestive enzymes etc. I was basically just popping loads of different pills, which was inconvenient and super expensive. I longed for an all-natural, affordable, all in one product. It had to be more than just the probiotic on its own. I went to a team of experts to help with the formulation. I suggested the ingredients but they all had to work in synergy, not cancel each other out etc.

I was working as a corporate lawyer and got really sick from what I discovered was chronic stress-induced gut issues. It took me a really long time to figure out the route cause. I had chronic fatigue, brain fog, severe acne, bloating - all these symptoms that would seem unrelated. It was only when I went to a functional practitioner and they suggested I get tested SIBO and leaky gut. Thats when I was finally able to start my healing journey. This was a few years ago, now gut health is more mainstream. It was fascinating to me then to discover how my skin, mood etc could be influence by my gut. When we’re talking about our gut health we’re talking about the state of our gut bacteria. We’re taught to think bacteria are awful but we need good bacteria. It influences all our bodily functions - I wanted to spread this awareness and encourage people to look after their good gut bacteria, for both our overall physical and mental health. I quit my job, and called the company JERMS to take away that stigma about bacteria.

Could you talk a bit about your journey starting JERMs? What had you been going through and what motivated you to take this new direction in your life?

In your past, stress was the aggressor, but obviously setting up a new business is stressful in other ways. Did you adapt how you dealt with stress?

Absolutely, I was so passionate but also starting a business in this economy is the most challenging thing. I had no idea what I had let myself into, I would say its more stressful. Now, however, I was more in tune and educated about my body. I knew what my stressors were. In terms of a holistic approach, I have changed my lifestyle. There is no quick fix, no matter how much work I have I always prioritise things like sleep. I moved from London to the countryside. Nature, for me, is a big de-stressor. I have a garden now which brings me so much peace. I actively work on stress mitigation everyday now, and would never push myself to the brink.

What’s your top self-care tip?

This year, Ive been prioritising sleep, resting my body and digestive system. This makes you more productive. Also, having a network. For me, its other female founders within the small business community. They get what I’m going through, I can just pick up the phone and share with them.

What are you most proud of with your business?

I celebrate all the small wins. But also its so surreal to have been shopping at places for decades like Whole Foods, Selfridges, Daylesford, GoodHood and now to see my products there. The feedback is also amazing, people say my product has changed their life. Strangers reaching out and thanking me is such a motivator and I will never get tired of it.

With so much going on right now, what does your typical morning look like?

What’s next for JERMS?

Our mission is making good gut health accessible. There’s also of misinformation ouT there, lack of education, products, lack of affordability. We have some things in the pipeline and are just expanding all the time. We are scaling so as many people as possible can benefit from JERMs.

I got a puppy about 5 months ago, so in the mornings I run downstairs because Im so excited to see her. I normally go for a walk with her, especially now its Summer. I go out in the garden barefoot, get some sun on my face - this is all so grounding. Sometimes I do a little bit of exercise depending on when my first call is. I’ll have some breakfast and usually my first Matcha of the day around 11. Getting some morning sunlight has been the most beneficial thing for me recently and connecting with nature sets me up for the day.

You mention your morning matcha, are you off coffee at the moment?

I gave up coffee a few years ago as it was irritating my gut. Also to support my adrenals and because I was suffering from so much stress. It wasn’t good for me. I switched to matcha for more sustained energy and to avoid that post-coffee ‘crash’. I love my matcha, and in the summer I can have iced matcha made with JERMS Daily Gut.

Whats your favourite JERMS recipe?

One of the great things about JERMS is you can add it to any cold food or drink. If you scan the QR code at the back of the pack you can access our recipe book which is awesome and has so much. I’m a big smoothie girl, in the mornings I do like to blend JERMS with greens, juices and whatever I feel like. Its also great with overnight oats. I like to take mine in the morning.

Finally, what does Self-Love mean to you?

Self-Love to me means being kind to yourself. That is so important. We are our biggest critics. We should be more patient and tune in, trying not to be so hard of ourselves. We need to be proud that we are taking the steps to work on ourselves, even small steps. Sometimes we might take some steps backwards and thats totally okay.

READ KATHERINES STORY

Earlier this year The Self Love Lab joined forces with gut health brand JERMS for an incredible workshop combining the powerful benefits of sound healing with gut health education. Today we hear from one of our community members as she kindly shares how this session helped her health journey.