Help for IBS

There’s a critical connection between bowel problems and the nervous system that doesn’t receive much attention in most medical circles. In fact, in testimonials concerning the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, you’ll find that many individuals have seen a dramatic improvement or even complete reversal in such problems as schizophrenia. The same is true when bowel problems are corrected with probiotics or many of the other digestive cleansing methods I’ve discussed in this blog.

Generally, those in conventional medical circles haven’t been able to grasp the connection between toxins in the bowels and neurological disease. (Most still believe the cause of IBS, ulcerative colitis, and similar bowel problems is totally unknown.)

Between 60 and 70 percent of our immune system is located in the digestive tract, which makes sense when you realize it’s one of only three direct connections our body has to the outside world (our skin and respiratory tract are the others)—making it one of the places we are most exposed and vulnerable.

A breach in the gut wall—common in individuals with IBS, Crohn’s disease, and chronic constipation and diarrhea—is commonly referred to as “leaky gut” syndrome. This state allows toxins, bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses, and incompletely digested foods to enter the bloodstream. An excess of these pathogens creates additional acids, fermentation byproducts, waste, and toxins that eventually overcomes our gut’s defenses.  

That’s why it is vital to maintain bowel health. It’s one of the most effective methods of improving your overall immune function. It can help prevent or reverse many of the neurological diseases on the rise in both children and adults.

Once these toxins and other particles breach our body’s protective barriers, they cause inflammation throughout the body and can often cross the blood/brain barrier, where they then interfere with the circulation and flow of nutrients to the brain—which in turn impairs consciousness, speech, cognition, and behavior. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that digestive and bowel problems are one of the principal complaints of people of all ages with depression, “brain fog,” irritability, schizophrenia, and seizures—even children with autism. It also should be no surprise to see these problems resolved when the bowel problems are corrected.

If you or your loved ones suffer from one of these neurological problems, getting rid of body toxins and restoring the bowels to normal is one thing you don’t want to overlook.

The use of probiotics is preventive medicine at its best. For this very reason it’s important to constantly replenish your body’s supply of these important life-sustaining organisms, which you can do easily with a daily probiotic supplement. And to that you can add my favorite—a nice daily helping of homemade sauerkraut to reap full probiotic benefits.

When you are looking to detoxify the body, you must start with the basics—your diet. To kick off a truly effective cleansing detoxification program, you should try what I call the “weed and feed” program.

The idea is to first cleanse the bowels of any harmful or large numbers of undesirable bacteria, fungi, yeast, and parasites; heal any damage that has taken place; and then re-establish a healthy population of beneficial bacteria.

Overall it’s roughly a two-week program that begins with a 24-hour fast, where ideally nothing would be consumed except purified water. (Chlorinated water is not recommended, because it is not particular about which bacteria it kills—even the beneficial types in the bowel.) If one can’t fast on water alone for 24 hours, a homemade vegetable broth or the low-sodium version of V8 juice can be included, but under no circumstances should you add any fruit, juices, or other foods or drinks.

After the first 24 hours, steamed vegetables and light salads can be gradually added to the diet. (Yeast products, sugar, and starchy foods such as potatoes and rice are not allowed.)

Days 2 and 3 begin the “weeding” of your colon as “broad spectrum” natural antimicrobials are added to the regimen. The standard antimicrobial is garlic, preferably fresh—which has been proven effective against eliminating an extremely wide variety of harmful bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses while at the same time sparing the beneficial forms of bacteria. You can achieve these effects by simply consuming two crushed garlic cloves twice daily with your meals.

Beginning on Day 4, and through the remaining two weeks, you need to heal any damage to the bowel and re-establish the growth and dominance of the beneficial bacteria. In addition to adding specific supplements (such as a good probiotic), you can now gradually begin to introduce more and more fresh foods into your diet.

During this period it is important not to consume sugar, alcohol, caffeine, wheat products, or high starch foods such as bread, potatoes, and rice. Steamed or stir-fried vegetables are highly recommended—particularly high-sulfur foods such as cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cress, kale, mustard, radish, and turnip. Cabbage is one of the most researched (and also one of my favorites)—steamed, stir-fried, or fermented as sauerkraut. Onions, asparagus, and artichokes are also good choices.

Legumes (beans and peas) may also be introduced. Keep in mind, too, that these last few items are higher in fiber—which will be  a great help for IBS and other bowel problems, but may need to be introduced later if diarrhea is an issue. The timing of when and how much can be eaten will vary from individual to individual.

Meat can also be gradually added (begin with chicken, fish, or lamb), and it is generally easier and best to do so in the form of broths, stews, or soups. Slow-cooked (not instant) oatmeal is a good addition at this point. Dairy products may also be included. Start with the fermented ones first (such as yogurt).

As you begin to re-introduce different foods, be alert to any changes in bowel changes or symptoms. You may have to discontinue certain foods and add them back later when you see improved bowel regularity.

Simply adding fermented foods and/or probiotics to your diet provides incredible IBS support and can eliminate 75 to 80 percent of all cases of IBS.

The first step for dealing with IBS and other bowel problems is to add fermented food and/or a probiotic supplement to your daily regimen. Research and clinical work has shown that anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of those who make this change will notice a significant difference in their health.

Probiotics are live micro-organisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide a health benefit to the host by engaging and neutralizing toxic compounds. It’s a constant battle for control, and beneficial bacteria are often sacrificed in the process.

While commercial supplements are the first thought that comes to mind when you mention probiotics, naturally fermented, “live” foods have been around since the beginning of mankind. The most common include:

• fermented vegetables,
• fermented milk products (clabber, yogurt, cheese, buttermilk),
• kefir, and
• fermented soy products (natto, miso, tempeh, soy sauce, fermented tofu.

I highly recommend you include foods like these regularly in your diet.

My favorite fermented food is homemade sauerkraut. I keep a fresh batch going almost constantly, and some already made in the fridge at all times. It provides one of the widest varieties of beneficial bacteria that are known to protect against everything from bowel troubles to cancer. It’s inexpensive and easy to make and keep. A little salt, cabbage, and a crock are all that’s needed.

During those times when you’re not home or don’t have access to homemade sauerkraut or other fermented foods, I recommend the use of a commercial probiotic product. Look for one that can maintain viability without refrigeration, available in health food stores and over the Internet.

I would venture to say that adding probiotics to the diet (and eliminating products that contain HFCS) would provide tremendous IBS help and could eliminate 75 to 80 percent of all cases of IBS, maybe even more.

If you are looking for IBS help, you first need to understand IBS trigger foods and the role they play in the disease.

One of the main IBS trigger foods is wheat. IBS patients are often sensitive or allergic to wheat and other grain products. As such, wheat bran and other cereals are generally not the best source of fiber for people looking for IBS support. Instead, water-soluble fibers that promote the formation of protective gel and mucus in the bowel are best. This type of fiber is found in guar gum, psyllium or Indian husks, oat bran, flax seeds, fruits, vegetables and legumes. (Legumes is a fancy word for beans and peas.)

Keep in mind that most of these fiber sources are either absorbents or binding agents. One of their characteristics is that they absorb or bind with water. This causes them to soften, swell, and increase in volume. This creates the extra bulk necessary to gently stimulate the cleansing movement in the colon. For the whole process to work, you must consume adequate amounts of water. This means that it’s absolutely necessary to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day.

Note: Although increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables is essential in treating IBS, during periods of diarrhea they are best avoided. But they should be reintroduced gradually when the bowels are normal. The amounts and timing will vary from individual to individual. The same holds true for the amount of guar gum or psyllium that needs to be taken. It would be impossible for me to give the exact amount needed. Each person will have to monitor bowel regularity, consistency, and looseness and adjust the dosages accordingly.

In the last 100 years, most of the more beneficial fermented foods have practically been eliminated from our diet. Much of the problem has to do with the way we now preserve foods, particularly vegetables.

When fresh vegetables weren't as readily available throughout the year, they were often preserved through fermentation. Nowadays, thanks to improved transportation and storage techniques, we can buy various vegetables all year around. And when it comes to preserving vegetables, freezing and canning have become the methods of choice.

While these techniques help retain vitamin content and provide a high degree of convenience, they do little to provide beneficial bacteria for your system. This fact should be fairly evident when you consider the 35 million people in this country alone who suffer from IBS, and the millions more who suffer from ulcers, indigestion, chronic constipation and diarrhea, and dozens of other related bowel problems.

One of the key bacteria needed to make the majority of fermented food products is lactic-acid bacteria. Lactic acid-fermented foods have been dietary staples for thousands of years. Early writings show that Chinese workers ate acid-fermented vegetables while building the Great Wall of China. The Japanese have routinely served a small serving of pickled vegetable with their meals. Centuries ago, the Koreans developed kimchi by acid-fermenting cabbage and other vegetables. In fact, lactic acid-fermented cabbage has been revered as one of the most beneficial healing agents since early man.

To help stave off common digestive problems like IBS, constipation and diarrhea, I encourage you to add fermented foods to your diet. In addition to yogurt and sauerkraut, you can also try pickled cucumbers, garlic, beets, radish, corn relish, potatoes, various chutneys, Korean kimchi, and more. No matter which type of food you decide to eat, you'll start to reap the benefits.

Keep in mind that, due to their acidity, lactic acid-fermented vegetables should be used as a complement to meals and not eaten in large quantities. Consistency is the key, so eat small amounts (3 or 4 tablespoons) on a daily basis.

I’ve found that successful treatment of IBS requires a multi-faceted approach. And key among these are dietary changes. Research (not to mention common sense) shows that there is a strong connection between IBS and diet. Specifically, IBS problems require the addition of fiber in the diet, but two very important factors must be taken into consideration.

First, some types of fiber should be avoided. IBS patients are often sensitive or allergic to certain types of food. Wheat and other grain products are typically on that list. As such, wheat bran and other cereals are generally not the best source of fiber in these cases. Instead, water-soluble fibers that promote the formation of protective gel and mucus in the bowel are best. This type of fiber is found in guar gum, psyllium, oat bran, flax seeds, fruits, vegetables and legumes (or beans and peas).

Secondly, although increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables is essential in treating IBS, during periods of diarrhea they are best avoided. But they should be reintroduced gradually when the bowels are normal. The amounts and timing will vary from individual to individual. The same holds true for the amount of guar gum or psyllium that needs to be taken. It would be impossible for me to give the exact amount needed. Each person will have to monitor bowel consistency and looseness and adjust the dosages accordingly.

And no discussion of IBS and diet would be complete with discussing those foods that must be eliminated from the diet. Sugar and highly concentrated sugar-containing products like fruit juices need to be eliminated. People looking for IBS help also need to avoid alcoholic beverages. The acidity and nature of tomatoes and tomato products will irritate a sensitive bowel and should be avoided.

Additionally, consumption of saltwater fish and those from lakes contaminated from acid rain should be minimized or completely avoided. This caution also applies to canned tuna. Although most individuals will experience no such problems, German research has found that the mercury often contained in these fish is one of the main IBS trigger foods.

If you still want that tuna, make sure you are choosing young tuna. I personally like Wild Planet Low Mercury Albacore Tuna. Or even forgo the tuna and give wild salmon or sardines a try.

Most people are unaware that IBS can be a recurring and intermittent problem linked to, among other things, imbalances within the body. One of the more common issues with IBS is that the protective intestinal mucus lining has been destroyed. One of the better IBS treatments for this is a quarter to a half cup of aloe vera gel daily between meals to help protect and speed the healing of the colon. This gel is available in local health food and grocery stores.

A second common issue with IBS is painful contractions of the colon. Another one of my preferred natural IBS remedies that helps this particular issue is peppermint. Peppermint leaves and oil were probably put on this Earth specifically to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

Peppermint has several very helpful healing characteristics, including:

• It has a gentle disinfecting effect. This helps prevent the fermentation of improperly digested foods in the stomach and bowels. This stops the formation of intestinal bloating and gas and the pain associated with it.
• It alleviates nausea and vomiting.
• It relaxes the muscles of the intestinal tract and prevents colon spasms often present with IBS.

Peppermint tea bags are readily available in both supermarkets and health food stores. The tea can also be made from fresh leaves. Simply add 1 or 2 teaspoons to a cup of hot, not boiling, water and let it stand covered for 10 to 15 minutes. I would recommend keeping a supply of peppermint tea around the house; however, it shouldn’t be used on a casual, regular basis. Use it only during periods of stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreatic upset. You’ll find that regular habitual use will lessen its effect.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—also known as spastic colon, nervous indigestion, mucous colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease—is the most common gastrointestinal complaint reported to physicians, and it accounts for as many as 50 percent of all referrals to gastroenterologists (physicians who specialize in problems of the GI tract).

If you happen to be part of the estimated 15 percent of the population who needs help for IBS, you undoubtedly know how debilitating the disease can be. Women seem to need help for IBS more than men, but this is probably because men, for some reason, are less likely to seek help for the complaint.

IBS is a complex problem with numerous causative factors and a wide variety of changing symptoms. The following is a list of some of the more common symptoms.

• Spastic constipation and diarrhea
• Pain and distention of the abdomen
• Frequent bowel movements associated with pain
• Colicky pain often relieved by a bowel movement
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Intestinal bloating and gas
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Bowel incontinence
• Excess mucus production in the colon

The good news is that there are inexpensive and natural IBS treatments that I will discuss over the next few weeks. So be sure to check in on my blog.

IBS treatments are few and far between. One that I've found to work well for many individuals in an extract of mucin. This substance is a part of the lining of your intestinal tract, so supporting it creates an environment that provides help for IBS patients.

The product I like is called Sialex, available from Ecological Formulas. I recommend taking 1 to 3 capsules with each meal.

Among my favorite IBS treatments is the supplement known as slippery elm bark. It will help soothe an irritated digestive system, pretty much from top to bottom.

For IBS support, you can mix a heaping teaspoon of the powder with a little water to make a paste, then pour on a cup of hot water and mix until it's thoroughly dissolved. (If you've ever made gravy, this procedure will sound familiar. Mixing the powder with the hot water directly will give you a lumpy, sticky mess.) Let it cool, then drink it. Do this three times a day.

For a slight variation, make it with warm milk, or flavor the mixture with cinnamon or nutmeg.

Slippery elm capsules also provide IBS support. I suggest two capsules (400 or 500 mg each) three or four times daily.

Probiotic benefits of a digestive health supplement containing Bifidobacterium infantis  include the relief of bowel irregularity and the abdominal pain associated with bloating and gas--making it among the few effective IBS treatments.

As you might imagine from the name, B. infantis is one of the dominant digestive bacteria in children, in whom it helps support immune health. The population of B. infantis declines with age, but it still remains an important part of your digestive flora. As a side benefit, the bacteria can help improve bowel regularity in children.

Look for a digestive health supplement that contains B. infantis, along with a variety of other bacteria species, to get the full range of probiotic benefits.

IBS help can be achieved through hypnosis. While many physicians are reluctant to recommend IBS treatments such as this, numerous studies have shown that the mind-body connection can provide a great deal of help for IBS patients.

Now Dr. Roland Valori, the editor of a brand new peer-reviewed journal called Frontline Gastroenterology says that he has used hypnotherapy among the IBS treatments for more than 100 of his patients.

90% of that group saw significant improvement in the bowel problems associated with IBS--including bloating and gas, constipation and diarrhea. Even better, 40% saw positive bowel changes leading to complete relief.

The bad news? Reviewers of Dr. Valori's writing say that hypnotherapy should be among the last-resort IBS treatments, after drugs have failed. I'm sorry, but that's just crazy. The drugs used for IBS support have significant side effects, and they aren't any more effective than hypnotherapy. Why would you not start there?

The FDA has announced that it approved the drug Amitiza as one of the available IBS treatments for those patients who have IBS with constipation. The approval was based on trials that included more than 1,100 patients, nearly all of whom were women.

IBS is a condition that can produce varying bowel changes, including both constipation and diarrhea, plus bloating and gas along with abdominal pain. Until this drug approval, there had been no prescription IBS treatments that addressed the constipation.

That's not to say that there were no IBS treatments at all, however. Dr. Williams has recommended digestive health supplements for IBS support, including peppermint oil, to calm the gut and improve bowel regularity. As a bonus, peppermint oil doesn't produce the common side effects of Amitiza, which include...abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Take enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil three times a day, between meals.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon, nervous stomach/indigestion, mucous colitis, and intestinal neurosis, is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) complaint reported to physicians. IBS accounts for as many as 50 percent of all referrals to gastroenterologists (physicians who specialize in problems of the GI tract). If you happen to be part of the estimated 15 percent of the population who could use some help for IBS, you undoubtedly know how debilitating this condition can be.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a complex problem with numerous causative factors and a wide variety of changing symptoms. Some of the more common unpleasant bowel changes are: both constipation and diarrhea; pain and distention of the abdomen; frequent bowel movements associated with pain; colicky pain often relieved by a bowel movement; indigestion; nausea; intestinal bloating and gas; and bowel incontinence.

Fortunately, there are some easy, inexpensive ways to help resolve the discomforts of irritable bowel syndrome.

One of these is peppermint oil. Peppermint is an underutilized herbal remedy that can treat and heal a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. To reduce the contractions associated with IBS, help comes from enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules. European studies show that they're quite effective.

For general digestive discomfort, you can simply make peppermint tea. Peppermint tea bags are readily available in both supermarkets and health food stores. The tea can also be made from fresh leaves. Simply add 1 or 2 teaspoons to a cup of hot, not boiling, water and let it stand covered for 10 to 15 minutes. I would recommend keeping a supply of peppermint tea around the house; however, it shouldn’t be used on a casual, regular basis. Use it only during periods of stomach, liver, gallbladder or pancreatic upset. Regular habitual use will lessen its effect.

Most physicians and herbalists don’t realize that the active menthol ingredients in peppermint are rapidly absorbed in the stomach and upper GI tract. Taking peppermint in the form of tea, oil, or tinctures will have little, if any, effect on bowel problems further down the line. To provide proper IBS support, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules must be used to deliver the active ingredients to the colon. European studies have found that these enteric-coated capsules are very effective in treating the disease (Br Med J 79;835-6). Doctors in this country who scoff at the use of peppermint as help for IBS are undoubtedly unfamiliar with the European use of enteric-coated products.

The dosage generally recommended for IBS support has been 2 to 3 capsules a day taken between meals. The only side effect noted has been a temporary burning sensation in the rectal area after a bowel movement. This comes from excess, unabsorbed menthol. It poses no danger and can be alleviated by simply reducing the dosage.