Relief for troubled tums

HEALTHCARE science assistant Vicky Lightwood, Lightwood 38, 38 who works for the NHS in Birmingham, has suffered from gastrointestinal symptoms since her teens, when doctors put her stomach pains and nausea down to exam stress.

By her 20s, they were markedly worse. Vicky changed her diet to exclude gluten but she still felt very uncomfortable. ‘I was a mess and often reduced to tears. My job involved shift work which made it worse.’

Vicky had tests and tried various remedies, but her symptoms slowly took control.

She stopped using public transport and lost friends and boyfriends because of flareups. ups. ‘It totally affected my social life, life as every change in routine would set off my symptoms.’

Then Vicky read about silicic acid on a Facebook page. ‘I’ve been using it for over a year now and the relief is fantastic. It has alleviated all of my symptoms.

‘I have a very understanding husband and we love walking. I even climbed a mountain this year! And where I used to dread going to visit people, because of the journey and eating together, I can now enjoy being sociable.’

Silicic acid, which has been developed for everyday use in a gel form, can be purchased from Boots, Tesco and Holland & Barrett.