IBS stands for “Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” a term used to describe a type of digestive disorder characterized by a group of common symptoms.
The most common IBS symptoms are:
- Changes in bowel movements, such as constipation and diarrhea.
- Changes in stool appearance, including texture and color; mucus may be present.
- Bloating.
- Gas and burping.
- Abdominal pain, aches, and cramps.
- Nausea, heartburn, or acid reflux.
- Mild feeling of fullness or loss of appetite.
- Most people become symptom-free after using the bathroom.
What is the difference between IBS and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)?
IBS and IBD share some symptom similarities, but IBD such as Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis is usually much more serious and obvious. They are caused by inflammation in the intestines and autoimmune reactions affecting the gut and stomach.
Why do people get IBS?
There is no single cause of IBS that applies to everyone, but common contributing factors include:
- Food sensitivities and allergies (especially to dairy products and gluten).
- Chronic stress or temporarily high levels of emotional or physical stress.
- Frequent traveling.
- Changes in sleep routine and circadian rhythm.
- Hormonal imbalances or changes (menstruation, menopause, or pregnancy can cause symptoms).
What can I do for my IBS?
First, you need to eliminate any bacteria, fungi, or other excess organisms in the body – for example, candida is such a fungus.
Then you can add supportive herbs, good gut bacteria, hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and more. You may need to repair the intestinal lining with aloe vera, B vitamins, glutamine, or nutritional powders specially designed for the gut lining.
If there is an imbalance of bacteria, for example too many bacteria (SIBO) in the wrong place, the intolerance often disappears or decreases when balance is restored.
Studies have shown that 80-85% of people with IBS have bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in the small intestine.
With SIBO, you may have heartburn, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or frequent burping. If you don’t experience these but only IBS symptoms like constipation/diarrhea and stomach pain, it’s better to focus on more fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics.
However, it is always good to test for SIBO.
Diet is the most important!
- It is important to reduce protein and fat intake and increase fiber intake.
- IBS patients need more beneficial fiber. It is good to eat starch-rich vegetables in all colors – preferably steamed. Also some fruit, lots of berries, sprouts, vegetable juice, broth, miso soup, light white protein, quinoa, chia seeds, good fats like olive oil and avocado.
- Don’t eat too many dairy products, remove yellow cheese, red meat, white sugar, nuts, spicy food, eggs, and gluten completely if possible.
- Other irritants include too much coffee, black tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks, refined carbohydrates, laxatives, and certain medications.
Food allergy
Food allergies are common with IBS and may be unknown. That’s why it’s a very good idea to do a food intolerance test.
Stress
Remember that any stress is also a contributing factor. If you experience stress, it needs to be managed with relaxing exercises, preferably gentle yoga, walks, calming music, and meditation, as well as soothing herbs like lemon balm or targeted supplements specifically for that, such as L-theanine.
In this article, we write more about exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
Exercise
Physical activity is also very important. Studies have shown that regular exercise helps control stress and can improve digestive health.
Exercise has many positive effects on health.
Herbs
- Herbs like dandelion and artichoke stimulate digestion.
- Other good herbs are oregano oil, olive leaf, wormwood, garlic, and turmeric to combat bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
- For bacterial overgrowth or candida, you can also drink Pau D’arco tea.
You can read more about herbs.
Dietary supplements
- If symptoms are due to enzyme deficiency, it can often be addressed if you manage to help the body restore its own enzyme production through a good diet and enzyme intake.
- For constipation, Oxy-Powder is ideal.
- Other good supplements are B vitamins, Magnesium, and Vitamin D, as well as Probiotics* i.e., good gut bacteria.
- *Many wonder which probiotic strains are suitable for IBS, and Saccharomyces boulardii usually works, as well as most Bifidobacteria, such as Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis. But for most, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus also work well.
- Preferably Turmeric as a supplement, i.e., you want to get Turmeric.
- Hydrochloric acid can be supportive as it prevents bacteria from entering the small intestine where they shouldn’t be, which is common in IBS patients.
Get help from a nutrition therapist
It can be a good idea to book an appointment with a nutrition therapist or a functional medicine doctor who can help investigate IBS symptoms more closely with the help of testing.
They also guide you through a treatment and perform food tests that show if there are intolerances to foods that disturb the intestinal lining.
Contact us if you have any questions!
