Hollenkamp Nutrition LLC

I am a quirky, fun and compassionate RD that helps IBS and SIBO patients find long term relief. If you are struggling with chronic gut issues, you are not alone. And please don't lose hope! I have been working specifically with IBS patients for 8 years and have worked with over 500 patients. Most of my patients come to me with severe life disrupting symptoms. Many have seen several conventional and functional providers making little or no progress before coming to work with me. I have found that both conventional and functional medicine frameworks fail my patients. You are not broken. The treatment options are broken. IBS is rooted in gut brain axis dysfunction. This is a fancy way of saying that the gut and brain are not communicating properly. Both conventional and functional approaches don't fully address factors that drive imbalances in the gut brain connection. The conventional approach is limited and only reduces symptoms without digging deeper into underlying factors driving gut brain axis issues. Usually conventional doctors have 10-15 minutes with their patients and don't have the time/resources to explore diet and lifestyle habits with their patients. The functional medicine approach sounds good on paper, but is often poorly executed. Many functional providers too often become lost in the weeds. They focus way too much on fancy testing and supplement protocols. They also often recommend extremely strict diets that set my patients back. These diets lead often lead to weight loss, stress, nutrient deficiencies and microbiome changes that further disrupt the gut brain connection. Most of my patients leave functional medicine clinics with massive holes in their pockets and with minimal symptom (if any) symptom improvement. So, how is my approach different? What makes my approach different? There are 5 philosophies that set me apart 1. You must restore nutrition to restore your gut brain axis. Your gut brain axis needs calories, macronutrients and micronutrients to function optimally. Failing to nourish properly is probably the number one reason my patients don't make progress. I work with my patient to help assess, target and repair nutritional deficiencies related to dietary restriction. 2. Restrictive diets should be used as a last resort not a first intervention. Usually my patients have food fears that are holding them back because of these diet restrictions. Strict diets often plant the seed that certain foods are "safe" and certain foods are "dangerous". This mindset leads to hypervigilance that traps you in a fight or flight state around food. I find that an important step for making progress is to reduce hypervigilance behaviors and to reprogram your brain to not see food as danger (even if some foods do cause symptoms). 3. Staying focused on the long term goal of gut brain axis balance. When you have symptoms--it is natural to want them gone ASAP. But, focusing too much on short term outcomes keeps people stuck. Gut brain axis harmony takes time. My goal as a coach is to help my patients stay focused on sustainable habits that builds an IBS Proof Gut. 4. Supplements are helpful tools, but are not going to do the heavy lifting. You will be sold "protocols" from online influencers and functional providers. IBS recovery is not achieved in a pill. There is no quick fix or magic bullet. Supplements do have a time and place. I have my favorites that I use to help reduce symptoms and support the process. But, diet and lifestyle have to be locked in to help build an IBS Proof Gut. 5. You are not doomed by your microbiome. So many of my patients are diagnosed with SIBO, dysbiosis, candida, parasites, etc. They have been told that their gut is imbalanced and that is why they have IBS symptoms. But, your microbiome is often a reflection of your diet or lifestyle. The microbiome is usually a symptom of upstream imbalance and not a root cause. Targeting breakdowns in digestion, motility, nutrition and immune function shift the microbiome into balance usually without many round of "gut protocols". With the right support and the right process, you can conquer your IBS. I have had privilege of seeing so many patients find relief. Believing that you can conquer your IBS is the first step. "Request an appt" above if you are interested in setting up a free 20 minute session to see if we are a good fit.