Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (117 page)

Increase fiber intake.
High-fiber diets are recommended for people with IBS. You can use high-fiber cereals to boost fiber content, but recent research indicates that wheat bran made the problem worse in 55 percent of cases, whereas it improved symptoms in only 10 percent of patients. This is not surprising because a significant number of people with IBS have a hypersensitivity to wheat products. If you want to add a fiber supplement, use psyllium seeds, flaxseed, or hemp seed. In a study in which psyllium was given to people with IBS, it improved several parameters by increasing the number of bowel movements per week, enlarging stool weight, and speeding up transit times. No negative side effects were reported.

Evaluate possible lactose intolerance.
Lactose intolerance is often the underlying cause of IBS. Take the hydrogen breath test or eliminate all dairy products and any products containing dairy from your diet for at least two weeks to help you determine whether lactose intolerance is contributing to your problem.

Add probiotics
. In numerous studies, probiotic supplements have been shown to help regulate IBS. Products with multiple strains of microbes would be best. Make sure they at least include lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Studies on E. coli strain Nissle have also shown much promise.

Try an elimination diet.
I’ve seen pretty amazing responses in IBS in about 50 percent of the people I work with on elimination diets.

After you’ve tried the dietary approaches, consider these additional options.

Explore behavioral therapies
. Biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and other relaxation techniques are widely used to help people with IBS. Stress often triggers bowel symptoms, and learning stress-modification techniques can alter our reactions. If we don’t react with alarm to a situation, our body doesn’t sense it as stressful.

Add glutamine.
Glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in the body, is used by the digestive tract as a fuel source and for healing IBS. Take 4 to 8 grams daily for a trial period of four weeks.

Take EPA/DHA fish oil.
Fish oils inhibit the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. They may be effective in reducing the pain and
inflammation associated with IBS. Take 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily in fish oil capsules, or 300 mg daily of Neuromins.

Take peppermint oil.
Peppermint oil is a muscle relaxant that is widely used in England for IBS. More recently there was a published case study on using peppermint oil for a patient with SIBO. That makes sense, since these two diagnoses are interwoven. To get the oil into the intestines intact, use enteric-coated peppermint oil. (The coating prevents it from dissolving in the stomach.) Take one to two capsules daily between meals. During a spasm, you can rub a drop or two of the oil inside your anus with a finger. Caution: it stings!

Try herbs.
Chamomile, melissa (balm), rosemary, and valerian all have anti-spasmodic properties. They help relieve and expel gas, strengthen and tone the stomach, and soothe pain. Valerian, hops, skullcap, and passionflower are all calming herbs and can be found in a combination product. Antidepressant medication is often used by physicians for IBS; these gentle, effective calmatives may give you similar results. Use these herbs in capsules, tinctures, and teas.

Eat ginger.
Ginger, either fresh or powdered, helps relieve gas pains. It can be added to foods or used in tea. Within 20 to 30 minutes you’ll be belching and/or passing gas, which will relieve the discomfort. To make a tea, take two or three slices of fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon dried ginger in 1 cup of boiled water. Combine it with other herbs, such as peppermint or chamomile, to enhance the effect.

Take a multivitamin with minerals.
Taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement will give a good foundation to your nutritional program. If you have had diarrhea long-term, you are likely to be deficient in many nutrients.