Digestive health · Ottawa and virtual across Ontario
Naturopathic care for digestive health in Ottawa
Bloated by mid-afternoon. A list of “safe” foods that keeps getting shorter. Never quite knowing what your gut will do today.
We look at your digestion and at the stress and sleep that so often sit right beside it, then build a plan you can follow without being afraid of food.
First visit $295 · In person in Ottawa or virtual anywhere in Ontario
Does any of this sound familiar?
- By dinner your belly looks and feels like a balloon.
- You've cut out so many foods you're not sure what's left to eat.
- Your bowels swing between constipation and urgency.
- Heartburn or reflux wakes you at night.
- Your gut gets worse on stressful days, before a trip or a big meeting.
- Your tests came back clear, and you still don't feel right.
Your gut and your nervous system are in constant conversation. When one is stirred up, the other usually is too.
Start here
A clear picture first
Bloating on its own doesn’t mean SIBO, and a reaction after eating isn’t always an allergy. We go through your symptoms, bowel habits, what you eat on a normal day, your medications and what you’ve already tried.
If celiac disease is a possibility, get tested before cutting out gluten, because going gluten-free first can make the test less reliable. When further testing would change the plan, we explain what it shows and what it costs.
Where your nervous system fits in
Your gut and your stress response
Your gut has its own network of nerves, wired closely to your brain. That’s why digestion can slow down, speed up or cramp when life gets intense, and why settling the nervous system is part of digestive care here.
Your plan may include practical food changes, a short and structured elimination with reintroduction when it’s warranted, herbs or supplements where the evidence supports them, and simple practices to help your body relax around meals.
A short low-FODMAP trial is one option for IBS. The point is to bring foods back afterward, not to stay restricted.
What we can look at together
You don’t need a diagnosis to book. These are the concerns we see most often.
- IBS. Cramping, bloating and bowel changes that keep coming back.
- Bloating and gas. Especially when it builds through the day.
- Constipation. Including the kind that hasn't budged with more fibre and water.
- Reflux and heartburn. Alongside any medication your doctor has prescribed.
- SIBO. When your history points that way, including whether testing makes sense.
- Food reactions. Working out which foods are really the problem, without guessing.
Getting started
How a first visit works
1
Before you come in
You fill out intake forms in Practice Better, our secure patient app. Upload any recent bloodwork or test results so we can review them instead of repeating them.
2
Your first visit
75 minutes, $295. We talk through your symptoms, your bowel habits, what you eat and how you live. You leave with a few clear first steps, not a long list of foods to cut.
3
Follow-ups
We see what’s working and adjust. Follow-ups run 30 to 60 minutes ($125 to $225). Testing is only suggested when the result would change your plan, and we talk about cost first.
Visits are in person at 29 Bayswater Avenue in Ottawa, or virtual anywhere in Ontario. You pay after each visit. There are no packages or prepayment.
Prefer to meet online?
See Dr. Negin Sayar by video
Dr. Negin focuses on digestive and hormonal health, including IBS and SIBO, and sees patients by video anywhere in Ontario.
When to see a medical doctor first
Blood in your stool or black stools, weight loss you can’t explain, trouble swallowing, ongoing vomiting, or a big change in bowel habits that doesn’t settle all need a medical assessment. Severe abdominal pain, fainting or signs of dehydration need emergency care.
If you live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, keep working with your gastroenterologist. We work alongside your medical team.
Questions people ask us
Can I see a naturopathic doctor for IBS or bloating?
Yes. You don’t need to know what’s causing it before you come in. We go through your symptoms and history together and decide on next steps.
Do you test for SIBO?
If your symptoms and history point toward SIBO, we talk about whether testing makes sense and what it costs. Not everyone with bloating needs it.
Will I have to cut out lots of foods?
No. Any change to what you eat should be specific and time-limited, with a plan to bring foods back. We’re aiming for a wider, more relaxed way of eating, not a smaller one.
Can I have a virtual appointment?
Yes. Dr. Negin Sayar sees patients virtually, and Dr. Jada MacLeod sees patients in person in Ottawa and virtually. Virtual visits are open to anyone living in Ontario.
What does a first visit cost?
The first visit is 75 minutes and costs $295. Follow-ups are $125 for 30 minutes, $185 for 45 minutes or $225 for 60 minutes. You pay after each visit, and there are no packages to buy. Many extended health plans include naturopathic care, so it’s worth checking yours.
Who you'll see
Dr. Negin Sayar, ND
Virtual care across Ontario, with a focus on digestive health including IBS and SIBO, and hormonal health.
Dr. Jada MacLeod, ND
Naturopathic doctor for 17 years and Somatic Experiencing practitioner. In person in Ottawa and virtual.
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This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Your care plan depends on your own history and assessment.