Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common medical condition that’s not entirely
understood.
This ailment has no curative treatment and presents with diverse signs and symptoms that go through periods of flare-ups and remissions.
For instance, you may experience severe symptoms for one week, then go through a month-long remission period.
Causes of irritable bowel syndrome
The exact underlying triggers for IBS are not understood, but researchers believe it’s a result of desynchronized neuronal signaling between the central nervous system and gut nerves.
As a result, bowel movements will get disrupted, leading to either constipation or diarrhea, while smooth muscle spasms cause the typical pain associated with IBS.
What can you do about IBS?
If you suspect you have IBS then the very first step you should take is to make an appointment with your medical professional to find out if you in fact have it and for them to recommend any treatments.
That said there are some general things you can do that just don’t apply to someone who has IBS but for anyone looking to improve their overall health and wellbeing
Probiotics
As you regularly consume probiotics, your body will restore the gut microbiome symbiosis, leading to the following benefits:
● Improved gastrointestinal motility;
● Enhanced digestion;
● Detoxification of the intestines from chemicals and toxins;
● Decreased risk of digestive infections caused by E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter;
● Improving symptoms of IBS.
Overall, you will notice that your gastrointestinal tract can breakdown different foods without experiencing any symptoms of IBS (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, gas).
.Food sources that naturally contain probiotics include fermented foods like: Sauerkraut, Yogurt, Tempeh, Miso, Cheese & Pickles.
Some people also choose to use supplementation to ensure they are getting the probiotics they need. The one we recommend (and use) is Renew Life Ultimate Flora
Fiber
Over the past few years, scientists and healthcare experts have been fascinated by the positive effects of fiber on many organ systems, especially the digestive tract.
Fiber is a collection of complex carbohydrates that cannot be absorbed by the intestinal cells, which means that it stays in your gut to be later disposed of as waste products.
This process, and despite how uninfluential it may seem, has many benefits on the body, including the control of IBS symptoms, the balance of lipid metabolism, and the optimization of the gut microbiota.
Some studies have even shown that a fiber-rich diet reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, which is an aggressive tumor that takes millions of lives every year.
The sad fact is however that many American’s don’t get anywhere near enough fiber in their diet.
Generally speaking women over age 50 should get around 22 grams of fiber each day in their diet and men around 28 grams.
Ideally you should be getting your fiber through food.
The best source of fiber is through fruits and vegetables such as Raspberries, Pears, Broccoli, Green Peas and Potatoes.
Grains such as Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Barley, Quinona & Oats are good also and usually contain both types of fiber (soluble and insoluble).
However, if you’re not getting sufficient quantities through your diet, it may be a good idea to start taking supplements. The one we recommend is from Garden of Life
Exercise
Regular exercise is a documented activity that decreases the frequency and severity of IBS as it improves hormonal regulation, bowel movements, and gastric emptying.
The type of exercise you perform is not as important as consistency, and, therefore, you should opt for sports or workout routines that you personally enjoy, so you can keep doing them consistently.
Again if you suspect you have IBS the first step is to speak with your medical professional to verify you have the condition and to get advice on treatment.
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