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We had an awesome guest lecture last night on IBS and IC that provided many many useful tips on managing this frustrating condition. I will post that transcript in a few weeks when it is done. In the meantime, though, I thought that we should list the products that have been found to help.
IBS is a brain gut disorder that gives patients tremendous nerve sensitivity of the gastrocolic reflex. The gastrocolic reflex is what helps move foods along you GI tract. In IBS, however, that gastrocolic reflex becomes hyperreactive... and, instead of having steady soothing contractions throughout the gut, we instead experience violent cramping, diarrhea, spasms that are either to intense or not intense enough. In some patients, it can be sporadic. In others, it can create daily diarrhea.
The key is avoiding those foods that we know trigger the gastrocolic reflex... i.e. heavy fats AND insoluble fibers. Heather Van Vorous's key point was that it's very important that your meals focus first on soluble fibers, which help soothe the gut and maintain water function, rather than stimulate the gut to cause more contractions. If you eat soluble fibers first, you may then be able to tolerate some insoluble fibers... such as salads.
The explains, for me, why I have so many violent cramping and diarrhea episodes after eating salads. Starting a meal with a salad is often doom for IBS patients because the roughage stimulates the cramping, gas, diarrheat, etc. Yes, you may get your entire meal down before you realize there is a problem but, 30 minutes later, the spasms begin and the body is emptied. I had a huge attack about two weeks after eating a salad for lunch here in the office. It was agony and I barely made it home.
The problem for IBS patients is that most of the foods that are recommended for helping constipation (i.e. roughage, heavy bran, whole wheat, psyllium) actually trigger that nerve to start the cramping, etc. In contrast, foods that are soluble fibers (i.e. rice, plain bread, pasta, etc. etc.) are much easier on the gut, don't stimulate the nerve, etc. etc.
You can learn much more about diet on her website.. helpforibs.com.
So, the products that can help:
Peppermint Oil Capsules or Tea: Peppermint oil is a muscle relaxant proven by clinical studies to reduce bowel spasms. Heather reports that if you're starting to have an IBS attack, try drinking a strong hot cut of peppermint tea. It apparently works very well. I found a clinical trial in a major journal that proved that peppermint oil capsules dramatically reduced the spasms that patients experience while having barium enemas.
Fennel Tea: Fennel is very good at reducing bloating and gas.
Acacia Fiber: If you notice that you feel worse while using Metamucil or psyllium, it's because psyllium is 1/3 insoluble fiber and, you guessed it, triggers IBS spasming. Acacia fiber, however, is entirely soluble and when used regularly can help restore normal bowel function... reducing BOTH constipation and diarrhea. It works for both conditions.
She reported that bowel cleansers are very bad for IBS.
Fasting is bad...
That your goal is to help calm the gut with small meals throughout the day high in soluble fiber.
Also... you CAN eat insoluble fibers... such as apples, whole wheat, etc.... when they are balanced with a soluble fiber first. So, for example, spaghetti with veggies on it. Fruit on toast, etc. etc.
As for salads, have them at the end of the meal rather than at the beginning.
Coffees, sodas very bad for IBS due to their stimulatory effects.
Hard chocolates in bar form are bad due to their high fat and caffeine content. However, cocoa powder has the fat and caffeine removed and is tolerated. So, you can still make some great chocolate cakes and cookies!
There were many more suggestions.. that we'll post later.
For the full line of Heather's Tummy Care products, please visit the ICN shop at: http://www.icnshop.com
A very grateful IBS patient,
Jill
IBS is a brain gut disorder that gives patients tremendous nerve sensitivity of the gastrocolic reflex. The gastrocolic reflex is what helps move foods along you GI tract. In IBS, however, that gastrocolic reflex becomes hyperreactive... and, instead of having steady soothing contractions throughout the gut, we instead experience violent cramping, diarrhea, spasms that are either to intense or not intense enough. In some patients, it can be sporadic. In others, it can create daily diarrhea.
The key is avoiding those foods that we know trigger the gastrocolic reflex... i.e. heavy fats AND insoluble fibers. Heather Van Vorous's key point was that it's very important that your meals focus first on soluble fibers, which help soothe the gut and maintain water function, rather than stimulate the gut to cause more contractions. If you eat soluble fibers first, you may then be able to tolerate some insoluble fibers... such as salads.
The explains, for me, why I have so many violent cramping and diarrhea episodes after eating salads. Starting a meal with a salad is often doom for IBS patients because the roughage stimulates the cramping, gas, diarrheat, etc. Yes, you may get your entire meal down before you realize there is a problem but, 30 minutes later, the spasms begin and the body is emptied. I had a huge attack about two weeks after eating a salad for lunch here in the office. It was agony and I barely made it home.
The problem for IBS patients is that most of the foods that are recommended for helping constipation (i.e. roughage, heavy bran, whole wheat, psyllium) actually trigger that nerve to start the cramping, etc. In contrast, foods that are soluble fibers (i.e. rice, plain bread, pasta, etc. etc.) are much easier on the gut, don't stimulate the nerve, etc. etc.
You can learn much more about diet on her website.. helpforibs.com.
So, the products that can help:
Peppermint Oil Capsules or Tea: Peppermint oil is a muscle relaxant proven by clinical studies to reduce bowel spasms. Heather reports that if you're starting to have an IBS attack, try drinking a strong hot cut of peppermint tea. It apparently works very well. I found a clinical trial in a major journal that proved that peppermint oil capsules dramatically reduced the spasms that patients experience while having barium enemas.
Fennel Tea: Fennel is very good at reducing bloating and gas.
Acacia Fiber: If you notice that you feel worse while using Metamucil or psyllium, it's because psyllium is 1/3 insoluble fiber and, you guessed it, triggers IBS spasming. Acacia fiber, however, is entirely soluble and when used regularly can help restore normal bowel function... reducing BOTH constipation and diarrhea. It works for both conditions.
She reported that bowel cleansers are very bad for IBS.
Fasting is bad...
That your goal is to help calm the gut with small meals throughout the day high in soluble fiber.
Also... you CAN eat insoluble fibers... such as apples, whole wheat, etc.... when they are balanced with a soluble fiber first. So, for example, spaghetti with veggies on it. Fruit on toast, etc. etc.
As for salads, have them at the end of the meal rather than at the beginning.
Coffees, sodas very bad for IBS due to their stimulatory effects.
Hard chocolates in bar form are bad due to their high fat and caffeine content. However, cocoa powder has the fat and caffeine removed and is tolerated. So, you can still make some great chocolate cakes and cookies!
There were many more suggestions.. that we'll post later.
For the full line of Heather's Tummy Care products, please visit the ICN shop at: http://www.icnshop.com
A very grateful IBS patient,
Jill
Volunteers are not medical authorities nor do we offer medical advice. In all cases, we strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.
Namaste 
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