Archive for April, 2010
Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Posted by: | CommentsConsider the following nutrition guidelines for IBS:
- Eat a high-fibre diet including plenty of fresh vegetables.
- Eat whole grains, especially brown rice, millet, oats, quinoa.
- Eat some lentils and beans.
- Add ground seeds (sunflower, pumpkin and linseeds) to meals. (Approx. 1 tbsp)
- Eat cold-water fish, such as cod, haddock and oily fish such as mackerel and salmon. (The oily fish help reduce inflammation)
- Avoid possible allergens, especially dairy products and wheat.
- Avoid sugar, alcohol, coffee.
- Avoid hot spices.
- Avoid animal fat and fried food.
- Avoid chewing gum, sorbitol and mannitol.
- Drink at least 1½ litres of filtered or spring water every day – more if you’re losing fluid with diarrhoea.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
Stress
Identify any areas or stress in your life. Adopt more effective time management and allow time for relaxation. Start relaxation/yoga classes, breathing techniques etc. and even counselling or employing a life-manager.
Exercise
Recommend a gentle exercise programme to be followed at least three days a week to aid motility of the GI tract.
Toxicity
If smoking is an issue, then try to reduce and eventually break this habit as it can have a negative effect on digestive function.
Other
Eat small regular meals and chew thoroughly to relieve any strain on the digestive system.
Nutrient Rich Foods for IBS:
VITAMIN B COMPLEX
Richest food source: brewer’s yeast, eggs, chicken and whole grains.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Richest food source: fresh nuts and seeds and oily and cold-water fish.
ACIDOPHILUS
Richest food source: Natural bio-yoghurt.
ALOE VERA JUICE
Taking Aloe Vera juice can be most beneficial to IBS sufferers for its anti-inflammatory and gut-healing properties.
Tissue Salts
The 12 biochemic tissue salts correspond to the principle inorganic materials found within the body. They are prepared homoeopathically.
New Era Tissue Salt Combination E for Indigestion, Colicky Pain and Flatulence is a general biochemic remedy that is good for most symptoms. Mag Phos (No 8 ) is good for abdominal cramping. Ferr Phos (No 4) can help with sudden onset diarrhoea. Nat Phos (No 10) can help diarrhoea caused by excessive acidity. For constipation; Calc Fluor (No 1) or Nat Phos (No 10) can be very helpful.
Flower Essences
Flower Essences can help with the emotional symptoms of IBS.
Aspen is recommended for the anxiety that accompanies a potential flare-up.
Crab Apple is known as the Cleansing remedy and as such can be most soothing for IBS.
For some, depression can accompany the IBS over the uncertainty of when and where it can happen and why: Mustard is good for a gloom that appears out of nowhere; and White Chestnut helps to stop the constant thoughts going round in your mind.
For the accompanying weariness; Hornbeam is good for when you think you can no longer cope; and Olive for when you physically cannot cope.
Jan de Vries Bowel Essence Combination can be very helpful to address the general emotions related to IBS.
As with all conditions, each person is an individual and their symptoms and triggers unique to them.
Food intolerance testing can help to identify triggers, which will help to structure your diet.
A consultation with a qualified nutritional therapist is recommended before making any drastic changes to your diet and lifestyle.
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Nutrition and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Posted by: | CommentsIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an increasingly common condition, described as a functional disorder affecting a wide age range of men and women, including young adults.
IBS is considered to be twice as common in women.
Many IBS sufferers notice the onset of symptoms can be linked to life changing events and that symptoms increase during periods of stress and anxiety.
The medical approach to the condition focuses on symptom relief, with prescription drugs to reduce pain and intestinal muscle spasms, anti diarrhoea preparations, laxatives for constipation and anti depressants.
IBS should not be confused with IBD which refers to inflammatory bowel disease – usually considered to cover the conditions of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common problem – probably about one in five adults has symptoms of IBS.
These symptoms include constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, nausea and intolerance to certain foods.
There are many possible causes contributing to these symptoms, including food allergy or sensitivity, lactose intolerance, candidiasis, infection, inflammation, toxic overload, pancreatic insufficiency, or parasites such as giardia.
Diarrhoea
For some, the symptoms of Irritable Bowel are of diarrhoea, requiring frequent, urgent visits to the toilet.
This may be more severe in the mornings after waking: eating or drinking can also trigger urgent diarrhoea, as do stressful and anxious moments for some.
Constipation
Constipation presents a different side to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
A frequent sensation is one of needing the toilet, yet unable to pass a stool, or a sense of incompletion during a toilet visit.
Alternation
A frequent state is an alternation of constipation and diarrhoea.
Mucus may be mixed with the stool, which may become small and pellet like or watery.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually carried out by a GP or specialist, from the symptoms demonstrated by the patient, or after other conditions have been excluded by tests and investigations.
Blood samples are frequently taken to rule out other conditions such as anaemia, inflammation and the presence of antibodies.
The following may all produce symptoms which can be confused with IBS:
- Gastritis – an inflammation of the stomach lining which can be caused by a variety of factors, including excess alcohol, tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and prolonged excessive intake of NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and the infection Helicobacter pylori.
- Excessive use of laxatives.
- Excessive use of antacid preparations.
- Reduced presence of protective bacteria due to infections and antibiotic use.
- Fungal infections, e.g. Candida.
- Parasitic infections.
Conditions which may also produce similar symptoms are: Lactose Intolerance; Coeliac; Pancreatic insufficiency; and Diverticular disease.
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Good Things to Add to Salad
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s that time of year again when we all start adding more salads to our diets.
With a little imagination, salads can be more interesting than just plain lettuce, tomato and cucumber.
These ideas can help turn a salad into a more balanced meal and make it more appealing to eat…
Nuts and seeds
Supply essential fatty acids (vital for hormone function and healthy skin), protein, magnesium and B vitamins.
Croutons
Made without oil or butter, they can add valuable carbohydrate as well as a satisfying crunch.
Take some slices of one- or two-day-old bread, rub both sides with a peeled garlic clove and cut into cubes. Lay cubes in a baking tray and bake in a low oven for 20-30 minutes until crisp. When cool, use or store in an airtight container for up to a. week.
Beans or pulses
Supply carbohydrate, protein and vitamins, as well as extra soluble fibre to regulate blood sugar and blood cholesterol.
Rice, pasta or potatoes
Supply carbohydrate and vitamins and turn a salad into a more filling and satisfying meal.
Fish or egg
An excellent source of protein for nutritional balance. Oily fish such as sardines, mackerel or salmon are especially good as they provide omega-3 fatty acids which help to maintain a healthy heart and circulation.
Olive oil-based dressings
Contain monounsaturated fats, linked with lower cholesterol¬ levels and reduced risk of breast cancer. Add some to the side of your plate and dip salad into it.
