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Chick Lit > Fit Chicks :: Gut Reactions - Dealing With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Gut Reactions - Dealing With Irritable Bowel Syndrome


One of the most common complaints clients come to see a nutritionist with is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It seems to be one of those terms that get used when no other explanation can be easily found for continued problems with constipation, diarrhoea, cramping and other unpleasant digestive symptoms. If you’ve walked out of your GP surgery with the words ‘I think it’s IBS’ ringing in your ears, you probably know what I’m talking about.

As the name implies, IBS is a syndrome, in other words a collection of symptoms. What the name doesn’t give you is the answer to how to eliminate those problems for good. By the time I see people at my clinic they have often been putting up with their IBS symptoms for a long time. As it’s not the most glamorous subject to bring up and won’t really lift the tone of any dinner party conversation, many don’t even realise that something can be done to restore their digestive health.

Food intolerances often get mentioned in the same sentence with IBS, and many people end up on very restricted diets in an attempt to improve their digestive health. All this often ends up achieving is lot of frustration with having only few ‘safe’ foods to eat without a real long-term solution to the problem

One such client came to see me a few months ago. She had been putting up with constipation, cramps and loose stools for over 6 years – often having to make the dash for the loo at very short notice. By this point she wasn’t really keen to go out at all, let alone enjoy a shopping trip with friends – she daren’t risk it.

Our first priority was to see what was lurking in her gut that was causing all the problems – we ran a stool test and found a parasite. She also had very low levels of friendly bacteria which help protect the gut against intruders amongst other things. They also help digest foods, and boost the immune system. No wonder she’d been complaining about always catching every cold going.

We managed to get rid of the parasite with specific herbs and built up her colonies of friendly bacteria with some supplements. At the same time we started slowly broadening the ‘safe’ foods list and designing a whole new and more varied way of eating. The first priority was breakfast – like many other busy professionals, she had been skipping breakfast as she wasn’t prioritising it and thought she couldn’t spare the time. What a huge difference that and other small adjustments to her diet made – she no longer had the huge cravings she had had for chocolate cookies!

Now, three month’s down the line – running for the loo is no longer an issue – and her gut is behaving as it should.


If you are suffering from IBS, here are my top tips for easing the symptoms:
  1. Refined wheat is usually the biggest problem, followed by cow’s milk. Cut these two from your diet for two weeks to see if your symptoms improve.
  2. Any type of flour tends to gunk up the bowel in sensitive individuals, so for the first seven days avoid all foods containing flour.
  3. Instead eat more brown rice, potatoes, fish, lean poultry, fruit and vegetables.
  4. Citrus fruits can also cause problems. Instead, opt for berries and bananas, both of which have been found useful for easing symptoms.
  5. Peppermint, fennel, camomile and rosemary teas can all enhance digestion and ease discomfort.

You can find out more about nutrition and digestive health at http://www.sannahealth.com/digestive_health.html  

Sanna Anderson is a Nutritional Therapist and runs clinics in Central London and South Woodford. She works mainly with busy women wanting to improve their well-being and increase energy levels. She specialises in digestive well-being, skin health and chronic fatigue. You can contact her at sanna@sannahealth.com  or by calling 07790 386 320.
Posted: 14/07/2008 11:04:21   Last Updated: 21/07/2008 12:10:33
Chick Lit > Fit Chicks :: Gut Reactions - Dealing With Irritable Bowel Syndrome