Healing IBS and Gut Dysbiosis Through a Gut-First Nutrition Approach: Srinivas’s Case StudyBy Deepika Chalasani, Best Nutritionist in Hyderabad, India

CASE STUDY & SUCCESS STORIES

Name:Srinivas

Age: 30 years

Location:Bangalore, India

Case Study: Srinivas, a 30-year-old software engineer, approached us struggling with multiple health concerns that were quietly impacting his daily life. His primary complaints revolved around gut dysbiosis, particularly IBS, persistent haemorrhoids, and arterial stiffness, all of which had severely affected his digestion, bowel regularity, and overall vitality.

He shared that his digestion felt sluggish, his bowel movements were irregular he used to feel constipated and his stools consistency were also very hard which would trigger haemorrhoids and pain, and despite eating regularly, he found it extremely difficult to gain healthy weight or build muscle mass. On further assessment, his BMI was found to be 17.13 kg/m², clearly indicating that he was underweight.

A deeper conversation revealed that Srinivas had recently completed a 7-day course of Rifomax (an antibiotic) just a couple of weeks prior. He also reported a history of chronic neck and back pain, along with noticeable hair fall, pointing toward deeper systemic imbalances.

On reviewing his blood parameters, we observed an elevated lymphocyte count, pointing toward ongoing inflammation in the body, along with low magnesium levels at 1.84 mg/dL, which can impact muscle function, nerve health, and digestion. Interestingly, his vitamin B12 levels were extremely high at 1375 pg/mL, reaching toxic ranges, which prompted us to explore his supplement usage. Srinivas revealed that he had been regularly consuming vitamin D3 with K2, magnesium glycinate, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc carnosine complex, and a multivitamin.

When Srinivas approached us, his goals were clear and intentional: he wanted to heal his gut and stabilize digestion, regain healthy weight, muscle mass, and strength, reduce arterial stiffness to support long-term cardiovascular health, and build a sustainable plan that would help him restore overall vitality and well-being from the inside out.

Approach by the best online nutritionist and dietician in Hyderabad, Telangana, India— Deepika Chalasani

Our approach for Srinivas was built around two priorities at the same time, calming gut inflammation and restoring a predictable bowel routine, while supporting healthy weight and lean-mass gain without overloading digestion. Since his IBS symptoms and irregular motions were a key barrier to appetite, absorption, and consistent nutrition, we first anchored the plan around hydration, gentle fibre, and “IBS-friendly” food choices.

He was guided to take 1–2 glasses of water immediately on waking, increase total water intake up to 3 liters, and include warm water and watery vegetables through the day to improve stool softness and washroom cycles.

Protein was included in moderate, gut-friendly amounts, with Clear instructions not to overdo protein to avoid aggravating IBS. Protein sources were derived from a dailyplant protein shake (32–36 g powder blended in 200 ml water), whole dals such as green moong (100 g cooked), Fit4Life fish cutlets (4–5 pieces at lunch), and tofu (100 g cooked at dinner). Heavy meats, deep-fried foods, and highly processed proteins were avoided to reduce gut inflammation. Carbohydrates were provided primarily through white rice, Fit4Life green rotis, idli, poha, and fruits from the IBS green list, ensuring sufficient energy for weight restoration while maintaining digestive comfort. Healthy fats were added in controlled amounts, including 5 ml ghee per meal, nuts, and seeds to support calorie density without digestive overload.

Breakfast (9:00 a.m.) had two interchangeable options designed to provide balanced energy without gut strain. Option one included 150 g fruit (from the IBS green list) with 10 g Fit4Life date-seed marmalade, 3–4 idlis with 25 g coconut chutney, and a plantprotein shake made with 32 g protein powder blended in 200 ml water. Option two included 150 g fruit with Fit4Life 10 g date-seed marmalade, 130 g cooked poha, and a plantprotein shake made with 36 g protein powder in 200 ml water. This meal supported morning energy, muscle maintenance, and appetite regulation while remaining easy to digest.

Mid-morning (11:00 a.m.) included 200 ml buttermilk, prepared by mixing 20 g hung curd in 200 ml water, to provide probiotics and support gut microbiota restoration after antibiotic use.

Lunch (1:00 p.m.) was the most nutrient-dense meal of the day, timed for peak digestive strength. It included 50 g cucumber, 225–250 g cooked white rice, 150 g softly cooked vegetable curry, 100 g cooked whole dal (such as green moong), 4–5 Fit4Life fish cutlets, and 5 ml ghee added to the meal. Vegetables were steamed or lightly cooked (10–12 minutes), never deep-fried, and limited to IBS-friendly options such as bottle gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, and carrots. This meal supported calorie sufficiency, lean mass gain, and gut stability.

Mid-evening (3:00 p.m.) again included 200 ml buttermilk with 20 g hung curd, with optional ginger or cumin added based on tolerance, to further support digestion and reduce bloating.

Evening snack (5:00 p.m.) offered flexible but controlled options to prevent long gaps between meals. Choices included 2 walnuts and 6 almonds, or 20 g Fit4Life murukku, or 20 g Fit4Life nachos, or 1 date-seed cube, along with 1–2 dried figs or prunes, and 30 g sweet potato (introduced in small portions). This meal helped maintain energy levels while gently supporting bowel regularity.

Dinner (7:00 p.m.) was intentionally lighter and offered three structured options. All options included 50 g cucumber and 100 g tofu (sautéed or grilled) as the protein source. Option one consisted of 1 Fit4Life green roti plus 100–150 g cooked white rice and 150 g softly cooked watery vegetable curry. Option two included 200 g cooked white rice with 150 g soft vegetable curry. Option three included 2 Fit4Life green rotis with 100 g soft vegetable curry. Spices and oils were kept minimal to avoid night-time digestive distress.

At bedtime, Srinivas was advised to consume 200 ml buttermilk mixed with 5 g chia seeds, prepared using 20 g hung curd in water, to improve stool consistency and support overnight gut repair.

Across the day, meals were spaced every 3–4 hours, hydration was emphasised hourly, and food preparation remained simple and IBS-aligned. The total diet provided approximately 1933 kcal and 70 g protein per day, with an overall carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of 53:14:32, supporting gradual weight gain, gut healing, and cardiovascular health in a sustainable, non-inflammatory manner.

Results

After joining our program and consistently following the structured nutrition plan, Srinivas began to experience noticeable improvements in his gut health. By transitioning to IBS-friendly green FODMAP foods and regulating meal timing, his digestive system gradually stabilised. One of the earliest positive changes was a significant reduction in frequent bowel movements, which had previously disrupted his daily routine and energy levels.

As gut inflammation reduced and stool consistency improved, Srinivas also reported a gradual decrease in haemorrhoid-related pain and discomfort. The combination of improved hydration, controlled fiber intake, foods like buttermilk, and gentle bowel-supportive foods helped reduce strain during bowel movements. Over time, this allowed the affected area to heal naturally, further improving his comfort and confidence.

With continued adherence to the plan, Srinivas’s washroom cycles became regular and predictable, marking a major turning point in his recovery. Episodes of urgency, irregular motions, and digestive distress subsided completely. Today, he reports no active IBS symptoms, improved digestive comfort, and a much calmer gut response to meals.

Overall, these changes reflect the success of a gut-first, inflammation-controlled approach, where restoring bowel rhythm and digestive balance laid the foundation for long-term gut stability, improved quality of life, and readiness for the next phase of strength and weight restoration.

Deepika Chalasani is a Clinical Nutritionist, Mind and Body Transformation Coach, and co-founder of Fit4Life India, an integrated nutrition and wellness organization for Indians that provides complete solutions, addressing health and wellness challenges of individuals by working on their overall well-being. Deepika, the best nutritionist in Hyderabad for weight loss and online dietician, can be contacted via email at deepika.chalasani@gmail.com or Mobile at +91 9381525943

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