Mailbag! IBS Wearing You Down? Try This!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 28, 2021
I recently got diagnosed with IBS-D, and I’m having trouble with symptoms. What are some natural ways to deal with it?
–Robert from Turnersville, NJ
**********
Robert,
As you probably know now, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be broken down into three different conditions.
Folks with IBS-C suffer from chronic constipation, those with IBS-D battle chronic diarrhea, and IBS-M sufferers deal with both issues.
The underlying cause of IBS is a low-level inflammation in the digestive tract called gastritis.
This inflammation causes the lining of your gut to breakdown and become porous, allowing things into your blood stream that shouldn’t be there. This “leaky gut” is a problem for many reasons. Those intruders sneaking into your blood stream cause a lot of issues for your health, but they mainly put the immune system on alert.
As you can imagine, an inflamed digestive tract wants to move the food you eat as quickly as possible, which is what causes chronic diarrhea.
The big question is this: what is causing the lining of your gut to become irritated?
Since we all have different bodies, your gut triggers are going to be unique to you. Thankfully, however, there are a few ways to figure it out yourself.
Dr. Scott’s IBS Protocol
First, the hard part: ruling foods out.
- Food allergies. The most common reason for IBS is that you’re eating something your body thinks is a foreign invader. You can get a blood test, but these often only get you part of the way. The most common food allergies are eggs, wheat, dairy, corn, nuts, shellfish, and soy. You can try avoiding each of these for a while and see if your symptoms improve.
- Food additives. There are many food additives like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that can irritate your gut. Stay away from processed foods as much as possible.
- Vegetable oils. These oils (mainly safflower, corn, canola, and sunflower) are all horrible for you because they dramatically increase inflammation throughout your body. Try using just olive or avocado oil when you cook and avoid foods with added vegetable oils.
- FODMAP. There’s a diet called the FODMAP diet which removes foods that are difficult to digest and absorb, and it’s been approved by the American College of Gastroenterology. You can read more about what to eat and not eat here.
Avoiding foods can be difficult, so here are some easier things that can give you relief in the meantime.
- Fiber. Increasing fiber alone can help with IBS. But I’m not talking about the fiber most doctors talk about. I advise my patients to increase only vegetable fibers by eating more carrots, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips, as well as greens, broccoli, potatoes, squash, and okra.
- Eat fermented foods. This includes yogurts, sauerkraut, miso, natto, and others. Use probiotics to make sure you are getting enough good bacteria.
- L-glutamine. This is an amino acid that can help repair the lining of the gut.
- Peppermint oil. Peppermint is great at calming an over-active digestive tract. I prefer the delayed-release capsules that open later in your digestive tract. Look for “enteric-coated” on the label when you’re choosing a supplement.
- Multivitamin. Consider taking a multivitamin, because you’re probably not absorbing all the nutrients your body needs if your food passes too quickly through your digestive tract.
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Plant Compound SLASHES A1c Levels in 12 Weeks
Diabetes is skyrocketing in the United States. And the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The projected number of adults with diabetes is expected to increase from 22.3 million (9.1 percent) in 2014 to 39.7 million (13.9 percent) in 2030, and further to 60.6 million (17.9 percent) by 2060. That’s a massive 165 percent...
Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health
You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...
Common Deficiency DOUBLES Risk of Your Body Attacking Itself
Most of us know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And many think of it mainly for bone health as we age. But research now suggests that this nutrient may be just as crucial for supporting our immune system throughout life, beginning as early as childhood. In fact, a lack of vitamin D, especially in...
What Is a Healthy Night’s Sleep? Three Critical Criteria
We’ve all heard the advice about how important getting enough sleep is to your health. Heck, I have even given this advice countless times. But here’s what the so-called sleep experts aren’t telling you—that perfectly uninterrupted eight hours of sleep they keep preaching about? It’s a myth. In fact, if you wake up several times...