GOLDEN GIRL

TV presenter Dame Denise Lewis on how she's found relief for her IBS and why some days, even a former Olympian doesn't feel like working out

- LYDIA MORMEN

Dame Denise Lewis appears calm and collected as we sit down for a virtual chat, despite a busy summer of sport ahead of her. Not only is she part of the BBC team covering the World Athletics Championships when they kick off in Budapest this weekend, she's also looking after her four children, the youngest of whom is only four years old.

While she appears a modern-day superwoman - she received her damehood earlier this year for services to sport and is regarded as one of the UK's greatest-ever sportswomen - the 50-year-old Commonwealth Games England president struggled with the debilitating symptoms of undiagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for decades.

She now has her symptoms under control and has become the ambassador for probiotic drink Symprove to help other women take ownership of their gut health.

Denise, when did you realise you had IBS?

"It was about 30 years ago that I had my first attack. I don't recall having the common symptoms; it just hit me out of nowhere. But after that, I was more aware.

"Four days before an attack, I'd go off my food and feel full, and things didn't seem to digest properly. Then I'd get the cramping and be doubled over for ten minutes, hot and sweaty. Once that subsided, it was gassiness and going to the loo."

hen did you discover Symprove?