Doctors say you can’t cure IBS. Is that true?
No one wants to talk about what goes on behind the bathroom door. And that could be a problem. If you neglect your digestive system, you could be putting your overall health in jeopardy.
Armed with the knowledge that 70% of our immune system is located in the gut, we need to seek options – other than prescription medication – to naturally heal IBS.
What is IBS?
IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome and it refers to chronic abdominal pain.
People experience symptoms of IBS when there is an increase of the number of bacteria in your small intestine. This affects how your body digests food. Symptoms of IBS includes:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea or Constipation
It’s estimated that over 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from IBS and there are some differences in the way each person is treated.
Chances are, if you go to a doctor about your IBS, you will probably be told that your symptoms have nothing to do with your diet. Traditional doctors may recommend fiber supplements or probiotics. But they also sometimes prescribe antidepressants, pain medication or IBS medication, such as Alosetron or Linaclotide.
According to a Web MD article, Dr. Braden Kuo said of these drugs, “…they will certainly help a lot of people, but it’s not like any one of these drugs is curing IBS”.
How does that help anyone? That’s why it’s important to find natural remedies for IBS to actually heal the gut.
Are IBS and Leaky Gut Related?
Many believe that the causes of IBS are closely related to leaky gut syndrome, including:
- Lactose intolerance
- Food sensitivities
- Dysbiosis
- Maldigestion
- Parasites
Leaky gut refers to a condition where the lining of your intestines has been damaged by toxins (chemicals, viruses, parasites, bacteria, heavy metals, etc). Since your gut is a tight wall of cells that keep anything from getting in, any damage makes your intestines permeable. This results in toxins getting into your bloodstream.
Researchers have been examining the relationship between IBS and leaky gut and one study found, “that increased permeability as well as the role of inflammation in IBS may account for many of the extra-intestinal symptoms experienced by many IBS patients.“
Reversing IBS
Here are some of the natural remedies to heal your gut and reverse IBS:
- One of the first things I recommend is testing for bacteria, fungal or parasitic infections that can cause digestive distress. According to a piece in Science Daily, “An overgrowth of bacteria in the gut has been definitively linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the results of a new study which used cultures from the small intestine”. Check out testing options here.
- It’s also important to test for food sensitivities. Studies show that if a patient discovers a food sensitivity, their IBS will improve once they eliminate that food. Typically, you’ll find that foods like sugar, dairy, grains, red meat, GMOs and processed foods are the culprit. Click here to learn about Alcat testing.
- I also recommend a Paleo anti-inflammatory diet to avoid foods that can exasperate the issue.
- Lastly, here is my Leaky Gut Protocol can reverse the damage from IBS:
- Probiotics that include prebiotics 3x per day to rebalance the gut flora (see image below).
- L-Glutamine to fill in the ‘holes’ and repair the gut lining- 1/4 tsp per day on empty stomach.
- Digestive enzymes to help break down food and absorb nutrients with every meal (see image below).
- Omega 3, 6, 9 Complex with plant-based and marine based omegas for inflammation – 1x per day (see image below).
Essential Oils for IBS
Another natural remedy for IBS and gut healing is using essential oils (along with the steps above). I recommend using 1 drop of each of the following oils in a veggie capsule 1x per day.
- Frankincense – the boswellia in frankincense reduces inflammation.
- Peppermint – one study found a 50% reduction in IBS symptoms.
- Ginger – provides relief for nausea, indigestion, gas and bloating.
Other suggestions:
- 1-2 ounces of aloe vera juice per day
- 5,000 mg Vitamin D3 per day
- Licorice root supplement as directed on the label as they will vary.
Do you suffer from IBS? Have you tried these natural remedies or will you?
To get started with certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils, email Leann@GroovyBeets.com. Leann will create a custom protocol for your specific heath needs and goals.
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