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
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...