Do I have IBS?

Do I have IBS?

The exact cause of IBS remains unknown. However, we know that certain factors and triggers play a role in causing IBS symptoms. These triggers include abnormalities in the digestive system, stress, abnormal gut microbes, weak intestinal contractions and gastroenteritis after-effects. 

 

IBS affects the large intestine, and common symptoms include abdominal pain, stool appearance changes and inconsistent bowel movements. If you have bowel movement-related cramping or bloating, diarrhea or constipation, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have IBS. If you notice your symptoms have become chronic, it’s time to consult with your doctor to get some relief.

Can I manage my IBS symptoms?

Because IBS is a complex condition with various triggers and contributing factors, there is no one course of treatment or medication. Instead, our best advice is to manage your symptoms, understand and avoid your triggers and develop effective prevention strategies.

 

It’s best to follow a gut-healthy diet and eat on a regular schedule; skipping meals can disrupt digestive health and result in irregular bowel function. Avoiding or eliminating foods from your diet that have triggered your symptoms is another good way to manage your IBS. Patients commonly identify foods that cause IBS attacks as fried, fiber-filled and high-lactose foods as well as caffeine and carbonated drinks.

The Relationship Between Vitamin C and IBS

Improving gut health is vital in controlling common IBS symptoms. Leading experts have explored the relationship between IBS and Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiencies are linked to poor immunity, fatigue, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, high doses of Vitamin C can also negatively impact the body and cause gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach aches and diarrhea. So Vitamin C balance is crucial as both insufficiency and over-consumption can exacerbate IBS symptoms.

 

The key to consuming an adequate amount lies in eating foods that naturally contain Vitamin C and minimizing your intake of ascorbic acid in processed foods. Many people confuse ascorbic acid and Vitamin C because they are represented the same in supplement form. However, they are not synonymous. The problem with taking synthetic ascorbic acid is that it may ultimately lead to malabsorption of Vitamin C, causing the vitamin to remain in the intestines, rather than being absorbed and used by the body, which can cause symptoms like IBS.

 

To meet your daily Vitamin C requirement, eat Vitamin C-rich foods like guava, broccoli, red pepper, spinach, grapefruit and strawberries. If you have a chronic disease like IBS, a natural gut-healing diet may also help control your IBS symptoms. Pay attention to IBS symptoms beyond abnormal bowel movements and abdominal pain/bloating. It’s time to consult with a gastroenterologist if you’re experiencing these symptoms and they’re affecting your life.

 

For more eating tips for a healthier gut, contact Gastro MD. We are a cutting-edge clinical gastroenterology practice and set the standard in digestive health care.

Supplements + Other Tips I've implemented To Boost My Immune System During Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak spreading globally, I wanted to share what I'm doing to give my immune system a much-needed boost.

Besides the basics that we should all be doing to help protect ourselves from the Coronavirus like hand washing, keeping social distances from others, limiting travel to only when necessary, and disinfecting common or frequently touched areas, we can also incorporate other measures to help keep ourselves and our loved ones protected.

There are so many vitamins, herbs, and supplements that can help boost our immune systems and we certainly can't take them all. Starting with the basics, we need to have deep, restful, and reparative sleep which can be difficult during stressful times, so we also want to look at ways to support our sleep and stress level. We should also focus on a healthy diet filled with antioxidant-rich foods, protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs.

MULTIVITAMIN

Many vitamins including B6, C, and E are all known to help boost the immune system and can be found in a healthy diet. Although I try to eat a healthy diet, it's not always possible, so I like to start with a good multivitamin to fill in any possible nutritional gaps. My current favourite multi is My Kind Multivitamin by Garden of Life. There is one for men and one for women and non-age-related ones. I actually feel a difference when I take this multi and it's chocked full of amazingly healthy and organic ingredients! I can even take them on an empty stomach as they are made with whole foods.

VITAMIN C

I've also been taking extra Vitamin C. I love this spray version and take a couple of sprays AM and PM. Vitamin C is water-soluble so we just pee out what our body doesn't use. I keep chewable ones on hand also. If you want to know how important Vitamin C is to our immune systems, you can check out this article on 20 Ways Vitamin C Strengthens the Immune System.

 As always, check with your doctor for professional advice before starting a new supplement.

QUERCETIN WITH BROMELAIN

The 3rd supplement that I've incorporated as a result of this outbreak is something that I had heard of but never taken before, Quercetin. It's actually what prompted me to write this article. I had known of this supplement as one that helps with allergies, but it also has anti-inflammatory actions as well as a whole host of other benefits that I wasn't aware of until recently. It has anti-viral properties and specifically supports the respiratory system which is where the Coronavirus attacks. This one that I'm taking has Bromelain which also has a number of health benefits. Bromelain can slow blood clotting so you may want to choose a Quercetin supplement without Bromelain if that is a concern to you.

From NCBI: 
In vitro and some animal models have shown that quercetin, a polyphenol derived from plants, has a wide range of biological actions including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities... Read more HERE.

I don't know if it's helping but I feel better taking it, plus it has so many other benefits! You can read more online or check out webmd. 

VITAMIN D

I also take some extra Vitamin D for my immune system and actually take it all winter long. Vitamin D also plays an important role in immunity and has so many other health benefits that I will most likely always take extra Vitamin D (on top of what's in my multi). I had had my Vitamin D tested this winter and it's in the normal range thanks to my intake of this supplement.

Read more about the role Vitamin D plays on the immune system at Science Daily.

Some other herbs that I like for the immune system are echinacea, astragalus, and zinc or zinc lozenges. There are many others to choose from, these are just some of the ones I like to take as prevention to illness or when I feel rundown. Again, speak to your healthcare practitioner to decide what's right for you.

Other simple things I've been doing is eating more onions and garlic, making sure I drink a lot of fluids to stay hydrated, mostly water and herbal teas that are calming or green tea is a good choice thanks to its antioxidants. I already have trouble sleeping and it's significantly worse since the Coronavirus outbreak, so I try to not watch the News before bed and I practice deep breathing or listen to meditation apps or soothing sounds on my phone before bedtime. I also like to have calming herbal teas at night to help with my sleep, just not right before bed or I'll be waking up to use the restroom.

I hope you find some of these tips helpful! I'd love to hear your tips in the comments about what you are doing to stay healthy and happy during these difficult times so we can all learn something from each other.

Hoping you and your families stay safe and healthy! 

*Note: Always check with your doctor or health care provider before beginning any new supplements

Some links are referral links and we may receive a small commission if you use them. We only use links that we trust and use ourselves.