By Dr. Natasha Turner, ND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 10 to 20% of the population. It is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists and one of the most common disorders seen by all physicians. Women tend to seek medical attention for IBS more often than men; however, prevalence is similar in men and women. IBS may occur at any time, but it most commonly starts between the ages of 15 and 40.


What are the symptoms of IBS?

Symptoms may vary greatly from person to person, but usually includes gas, bloating, abdominal cramping and pain, diarrhea or constipation or both. Pain may be experienced in the lower left or right side of the abdomen. Stools may be very narrow or mucus laden (suggesting irritation of the digestive tract walls). Blood in the stool is not a typical symptom of IBS. Always see your doctor if you experience bleeding from the bowel.


What causes IBS?

The symptoms of IBS appear to be due to an increased sensitivity of the bowel, which results in spasm of the bowel muscle. There is no physiological reason currently accepted in the medical profession and it is recognized as a problem of “how” the bowel functions. Therefore, it is sometimes called a functional bowel disorder. It generally can not be diagnosed in a traditional way; that is, as an inflammatory, infectious or structural abnormality that can be seen by examination, x-ray or blood test.

The cause of IBS is not fully understood, but from a naturopathic perspective, the symptoms of IBS may be related to five key concerns:

1. Food allergies: The most common food allergies are wheat, dairy, citrus, soy, gluten (the protein in rye, wheat and oats), corn and soy. I recommend trying an elimination diet. This involves avoiding all of these foods for a specific period of time, usually two to three weeks. The most important part of this process is the re-introduction of food. You should introduce one new food every two days. Eat each food two to three times on that one day only and then go back to the elimination diet. If you find your symptoms return or you react negatively when to re-introduce a food, then you must decide whether you will continue eating that food or not. Keep in mind that too much or too little dietary fiber, too much fat or a very rich or spicy diet may upset the working of the bowel and trigger the symptoms of IBS. Alcohol, coffee, tea and smoking can all act as stimulants to the bowel and should be avoided.

2. Deficiency of enzymes: Enzymes are present in the saliva and are released from the pancreas to aid in the breakdown of proteins, carbs and fats. Stomach acid works to help break down foods, as does bile from the liver. Supplementing your diet with a complete digestive enzyme complex may help to significantly reduce symptoms of gas and bloating. I recommend starting this along with the elimination diet.

3. Improper bacterial balance: If you have taken antibiotics in the past, have a tendency to overeat carbohydrates or have taken corticosteroids, you may have an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract. Also, traveling to another country may have caused you to pick up a bug that can be irritating to your digestive system. Taking an acidophilus supplement twice daily on an empty stomach will help to replace the healthy bacterial levels in the digestive tract; grapefruit seed extract will help to kill off the bad bacteria.

4. Stress: In people with IBS, symptoms result from what appears to be a disturbance in the interaction among the gut or intestines, the brain and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory function. Anxiety, depression and stress are commonly associated with IBS. Feeling low may occur as a result of distressing bowel symptoms, but in some it occurs spontaneously and seems to aggravate the problem. Symptoms of IBS may increase stress because of fears that there is some serious disease present. See the Truestar Stress Page for solutions.

5. Irritation of the digestive tract wall: If you have had an imbalance of any of the above four items, the digestive tract walls may become irritated or overly sensitive. Taking a product like DGL may help to heal and soothe the digestive tract lining. The amino acid glutamine helps to keep the cells of the digestive tract healthy. Glutamine is also very helpful for loose stools and diarrhea. The typical dosage is 1500 – 3000 mg per day.


Why is it important to heal your digestive tract?

Your digestive tract affects more than just the process of digestion. Sixty percent of your immune system is clustered around your digestive tract—if you eat something rotten, your immune system is close by to protect you. However, because of the close association of the two, your immune system may become compromised if your digestive tract is not healthy. Over time, many individuals with digestive complaints tend to develop signs of weakened immunity such as allergies or frequent colds and the flu.

Our digestive system also affects our mood, memory and concentration. Ever wonder why you tend to crave sweet foods or carbohydrates when you are feeling down? Physiologically, it is not surprising, as two thirds of the serotonin, your “happy hormone,” that governs mood, anxiety, sleep and food cravings comes from cells around your digestive tract, not your brain. This may explain the theory behind some of the new medications used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, many of which affect serotonin levels. People who are experiencing anxiety, depression or sleep irregularities may have food allergies that exacerbate these conditions.

Many of the supplements mentioned here are available in the Truestar supplement plan for healthy digestion and are available in our new online store.


Ecumenical Press

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