Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel is thought to be a multi faceted condition involving disturbance in both the gut and the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for controlling voluntary muscle reactions including the intestinal lining and the brain. A careful diagnosis by a GP is always required to rule out the possibility of another digestive problem. Factors to be considered:-
What you can do? Therapy can take the form of increasing dietary fibre, carrying out a food intolerance test, carrying out a stool test to check for parasites, bacteria and yeast, controlling psychological components, (like reducing stress), using digestive enzymes which may aid the digestion of food and using herbal therapy when appropriate.
|
What you can do?
Therapy can take the form of increasing dietary fibre, carrying out a food intolerance test, carrying out a stool test to check for parasites, bacteria and yeast, controlling psychological components, (like reducing stress), using digestive enzymes which may aid the digestion of food and using herbal therapy when appropriate.
Dietary recommendations
A diet rich in complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre can often clear the problem by itself. However, wheat bran should be avoided as wheat is a potential allergen and also because it tends to bind with essential minerals that are often lost from the body. Individuals will usually respond better to fibre from sources other than cereals, particularly water soluble fibre like that found in vegetables, fruits, oat bran, guar gum, psyllium and legumes (beans, peas etc.,)
- The diet should be high fibre – wholegrains like brown rice, whole rye bread, oats and buckwheat. It should also be rich in vegetables, but limit fruit if diarrhoea is a problem.
- Avoid potential food allergens eg. Wheat, dairy, citrus fruits, coffee, tea and chocolate. Also avoid hot and spicy foods.
- Avoid animal fats, all carbonated beverages, fried food, refined food i.e. white foods.
- Avoid sugar and stimulants (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate).
- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes – these can irritate the lining of the stomach and colon.
Supplements that may help
- Fibre supplement (psyllium, linseeds, guar gum, pectin or oat bran)
- B-vitamin complex – required for proper muscle tone in the gastro-intestinal tract.
- Probiotics – to replenish the ‘friendly’ bactera in the gut.
see Bionutri's Ecodophilus in our shop
- Peppermint oil may inhibit gastrointestinal contraction and help relieve gas. A study concluded that “peppermint oil in enteric coated capsules, appears to be an effective and safe preparation for symptomatic treatment of IBS”
- Ginger has a long history of use in the treatment of a wide variety of intestinal ailments. It is a compound that helps exel gas from the gastro-intestinal tract.
- Magnesium as it helps to relax smoothe muscle and reduce cramping.
- Digestive enzymes - help to promote optimal digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates
see NutritionLInk
Digestive Enzymes on our products page
Lifestyle factors
Pyschological – stress reduction techniques – walking, yoga, meditation, listening to relaxation tapes.Exercise – important for stress relief and to ‘massage the bowels’