Treatment:

Methods of treatment for IBS include medications, therapies to manage stress, probiotics and nutrition therapy. If you are experiencing symptoms similar to IBS or have been diagnosed with IBS, it is important to meet with a healthcare professional to receive a personalized treatment plan and guidance.

Nutrition Therapy:

The topic of diet changes can be quite frustrating for someone with IBS. Some foods may seem to cause symptoms one day but not the next. It is important to know that IBS symptoms are not caused by a person’s diet, food or eating; however, these factors may aggravate symptoms. Over-reacting muscles and nerves cause the bowel to over-respond to stimuli which can explain why the act of eating itself may seem to trigger symptoms. Dietary changes have been shown to be beneficial in treating IBS symptoms for certain individuals. By using the 12 Week Elimination Diet, individuals may be able to better identify the cause of worsening IBS symptoms.

Dietary Changes:

• Make gradual changes to what you eat (a limiting diet can lead to malnutrition)
• Keep a personal diary of any diet changes and how they make you feel (it’s important to reintroduce eliminated foods back into the diet if not shown to impact symptoms)
• Eat small, frequent meals (five to six small meals per day)
• Eat slowly
• Consume a diet low in fat (high fat diets over-stimulate the gut)
• Reduce lactose-containing products
• Eliminate any foods that cause gas and flatulence
• Reduce alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

FODMAPs:

Recent research suggests that avoiding foods high in FODMAPs will help reduce bloating, gas and pain. FODMAPs are “fermentable oligo-di and monosaccharides, and polyols.” Foods that are categorized as FODMAPs include fruit, dried fruit, fruit juice, fructose as added sweetener, high fructose corn syrup, honey, coconut, fortified wines, onion, leek, asparagus, artichokes, cabbage, brussel sprouts, beans, legumes, and artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt, and xylitol).

Fiber:

Diets high in fiber have previously been thought to be beneficial in the treatment of IBS symptoms; however, researchers are now showing that there is no benefit from added fiber in the treatment of symptoms for IBS patients. The American College of Gastroenterology does provide evidence of a slight improvement in IBS symptoms for those individuals with IBS-C (constipation) taking psyllium (fiber supplement) as a bulking agent. Check with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet. The addition of fiber to a person’s diet may be beneficial if they are not already consuming the recommended daily amount. The average American diet contains less fiber than is recommended (20 to 35 grams/day). Consuming the recommended amount of dietary fiber per day may be helpful in managing IBS symptoms. When increasing fiber intake, be sure to do so gradually (2 to 3 gram increases per day) and drink plenty of water (30 ml of fluid/kg of body weight). The type of fiber that is found in many cereals (insoluble fiber) has been shown to be problematic in some IBS patients due to the increased production of gas.

Probiotics:

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to the “good bacteria” found in the human gut. Studies have suggested that probiotics are effective in decreasing abdominal pain, bloating, and gas in patients with IBS. Probiotics can be found in dietary supplements as well as whole foods such as yogurt and kefir (99 percent lactose free). Check with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.