Alex Mercer · June 27, 2026
I’m a health writer who has lived with IBS since childhood, not a doctor or gastroenterologist. What I share here draws from over 12 years of comparing notes with other people on digestive wellness and personal observation—it’s not a substitute for medical advice. Please discuss any new supplement with your own physician, particularly if you’re … Read more
Alex Mercer · June 26, 2026
Bristol Scale and Bowel Regularity Looking back at my sensor data from the first seven days, my Bristol scores clustered around type 5 and type 6 — softer than what most people consider optimal, pointing toward slightly faster-than-normal intestinal transit. Four weeks in, after I’d made a series of eating pattern adjustments based on what … Read more
Alex Mercer · June 17, 2026
Several people have come to me clutching gut microbiome test results they’d paid £100–£200 to obtain, then admitted they couldn’t make sense of what the numbers actually meant. The microbiome testing industry has ballooned dramatically over the last five years, with wildly inconsistent quality across available kits. Through reviewing dozens of popular tests and watching … Read more
Alex Mercer · June 7, 2026
The perspective I share here draws from over a decade helping other people through digestive challenges, but I’m not a doctor, gastroenterologist, or licensed clinical provider. What follows is personal experience and practical observation only. Before adopting any new testing protocol or supplement regimen—particularly if you’re managing an existing condition or currently take medications—please check … Read more
Alex Mercer · June 5, 2026
A word on my background and this content: I’ve spent more than a decade helping other people through digestive challenges and food-based wellness work, but I’m not a doctor, gastroenterologist, or licensed clinician. What you’ll read here reflects my personal experience and observations from my experience. Before you adopt any new eating pattern or introduce … Read more
Alex Mercer · May 25, 2026
The trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms inhabiting your digestive tract — your microbiome — perform functions that extend far beyond the digestion of meals. In my years of comparing notes with other people, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern: people come to me describing symptoms they’ve never connected to gut health — persistent low … Read more
Alex Mercer · April 23, 2026
A few years into my practice, I started noticing a pattern. Clients would arrive clutching printouts from gut microbiome tests they had ordered online, convinced they had finally found the answer to their bloating, fatigue, or unpredictable bowel habits. Some…
Alex Mercer · January 12, 2026
The moment I noticed it was unmistakable: someone’s three-week food log showed solid stools for the first five days after finishing her antibiotics, then an abrupt shift to loose, urgent bowel movements that persisted for weeks. The pattern didn’t match her diet — it matched the exact timeline of microbial disruption. That’s when the real … Read more
Alex Mercer · January 11, 2026
Someone wrote in last week asking why her digestion felt sluggish even though she was eating “pretty well”—bloating after meals, that heavy sensation that lingers for hours, nothing acutely wrong but nothing quite right either. Her question stuck with me because it mirrors something I’ve noticed repeatedly: most people overlook what they’re actually feeding the … Read more
Alex Mercer · January 10, 2026
A single dose of a high-potency probiotic supplement left me noticeably less bloated within two weeks—something I hadn’t expected to happen so quickly. That small shift is what started me digging into how deeply the microbiome influences digestion, energy, immunity, and even mood. After years of comparing notes with other people on their digestive concerns, … Read more