IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects millions of people around the world. IBS is a group of symptoms that impact your abdominal area and often cause changes to your bowel movements. IBS is often diagnosed when you have symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and reflux but have no signs of damage or disease to your digestive tract.
Symptoms & Causes
The most common symptoms of IBS often include changes related to our bowel movements. These changes may be diarrhea, constipation or both, and different types of IBS are determined by your bowel movements. Some other common symptoms are gas, uncomfortable abdominal pain, bloating and nausea. Currently, there has been no known cause for IBS. However, many studies link IBS to foods passing through your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) too quickly or slowly, stress, oversensitive nerves or a history of IBS in your family. Some things that can worsen IBS and IBS symptoms include stress, alcohol, caffeine, food allergies, certain carbohydrate-based foods, infections and bacterial overgrowth.
Diagnosis
Someone will be diagnosed with IBS through a series of questions after any irritable bowel diseases like Chron’s, Colitis or Celiac disease are ruled out.
Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on the individual but usually involves diet changes and supplementation to ease the symptoms. Some diet changes your healthcare practitioner may recommend include low FODMAP and high-fibre diets. Another type of treatment may consist of a way to manage stress and anxiety, as stress can exacerbate IBS symptoms. Some strategies to reduce stress include walking in nature, listening to calm music, taking a nap, cooking, meditation, yoga, writing, reading, or anything else that helps you relax. Some people may also want to look into therapy and seek counselling from a professional.
My top 3 favoruite supplements to maintain healthy GI function:
Probiotic
I love Genestra HMF IBS Relief & Seed Synbiotic. Probiotics are key to your overall digestive health because they maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Probiotics can support digestion and help manage symptoms of gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea (including antibiotic-associated diarrhea), and constipation. A healthy gut microbiome can play a role in supporting the immune system. Probiotics might help enhance the body’s ability to fight off infections and reduce the severity and duration of illnesses.
L-Glutamine
My go-to supplement for L-glutamine is CanPrev L-glutamine powder. This is super easy to incorporate into my daily routine, as I can blend it into my morning smoothie! L-glutamine is an amino acid that has many vital roles in the body. It can help with muscle recovery, immune support & gut health. It is a crucial nutrient for the cells lining the gut. It can help support gut health and is sometimes used to manage conditions like leaky gut syndrome or IBS.
Fibre Supplements like Psyllium
Psyllium is critical for anyone struggling with IBS. Psyllium husk is a soluble fibre. Soluble fibre absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance in the intestines, which can help normalize bowel movements. This can be beneficial for both IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). For those with IBS-C, psyllium can help by adding bulk to the stool and making it easier to pass. This can alleviate constipation and reduce straining. For IBS-D, psyllium can help by absorbing excess water in the intestines, leading to firmer stools and reducing diarrhea. Soluble fibre like psyllium can support a healthy gut microbiome by providing food for beneficial gut bacteria. A balanced microbiome is essential for overall digestive health and may help alleviate IBS symptoms. It's vital to increase fibre intake gradually and drink plenty of water when using psyllium husk, as a sudden increase in fibre can cause bloating and gas.
Meeting with a practitioner one-on-one is critical as IBS varies depending on the individual. If you are looking to start on your digestive health journey, book an appointment with me today✨
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