AltMedAngel: Alternative Medicine Angel
This is a non-profit site offering educational information and broad based research on various health conditions, medications, supplements and therapies. In addition, this site provides information on how to naturally improve overall health, strengthen the immune system, and slow the aging process. There is a list of physicians who use alternative treatments, a newsletter and book review section, and a product guide. To access this site: Click on the link above or at the bottom of this page.
Alternative treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a very difficult disease to diagnose and even more difficult to treat because each case is so unique in both origin and symptoms. Roughly one third of IBS sufferers will display symptoms of constipation, another third will have diarrhea, and still another third will suffer with alternating bouts of both. There is also a long list of associated symptoms which fade in and out of the picture unique to each situation.
Quite often IBS will raise its ugly head after a patient has completed a long course of antibiotics without sufficient supplementation of probiotics when finished. Antibiotics kill indiscriminately the good and the bad bacteria in the gut. Unless the good bacteria are reinstated (via probiotic supplements or food) the bad bacteria get a jump start on repopulating the intestinal tract unopposed and hence an imbalance occurs which can lead to IBS.
Foods that can help calm IBS
Naturally fermented "live" probiotic foods such as fermented vegetables, dairy and soy products are usually best. Sauerkraut, clabber, yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, kefir, natto, miso, tempeh, soy sauce, tofu and unpasteurized beer are some of the most complete probiotics available.
Things that may help irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
According to Dr. Marcus Laux, there are two types of IBS. Constipation-predominant IBS and diarrhea-predominant IBS. Constipation-predominant IBS may be a result of elevated norepinephrine levels -- which causes serotonin levels to decrease. (Serotonin is made in the intestines, which is also where 95% of the body's supply is located -- most of the rest is in the brain, with trace amounts in the blood and other organs.) Conversely, plasma serotonin is typically elevated in people with diarrhea-predominant IBS.
Since the drug Zelnorm imitates serotonin in the GI tract, it has recently become the constipation-predominant IBS treatment of choice. Zelnorm moves the bowels by acting on nerve cells in the gut. It aggravates diarrhea-predominent IBS, and is not generally effective for men or people over the age of 64. Additionally, in cliical trials, Zelnorm was only 5% to 11% more effective than a placeby -- which means it doesn't even work for most women. According to the package insert, Zelnorm works best during the first month of use and its benefits fade after three months.
Natural alternatives to Zelnorm
Enteric coated peppermint oil (inexpensive, safe and available) has been shown to be effective in reducing bloating, pain and discomfort. However, if you have acid reflux or heartburn, you should first consult an informed healthcare provider for advice.
Fennel seed tea promotes healthy digestion and is also anti-spasmodic and therefore good for diarrhea-predominant IBS. It can also be a welcome relief for bloating and gas pain -- which are often the hardest IBS symptoms to overcome. It is a standard medical tea in Germany for dyspepsia. Organic seeds are best and Heather's Tummy Tea is a good product. The longer you steep the tea, the more powerful it will be. Crush and break the seeds a bit between two spoons before steeping for maximum release of potency.
Gamma oryzanol is a powerful extract from rice bran oil that has gastrointestinal mucus-protecting properties and exerts a regulation effect on the nervous system.
IBStrol, based on the ancient Tibetan formula Xijizhuba, is the latest development in gastrointestinal health. The formula contains rhubarb, myrabolam, ginger, and Tibetan inula. It is good for abdominal distention, bloating, epigastric pain, acid regurgitation, and heartburn. Although it is not a cure, more than 90% of patients find relief from symptoms. It is a completely nontoxic treatment that is extremely safe without any harmful adverse effects.
Diet can play a big role in easing symptoms of IBS.
Some doctors recommend a 24 hour fast with nothing but pure water to drink. (Chlorinated water kills good bacteria so it is not recommended for fasting.) Homemade low sodium vegetable broth can also be used if the water fast is too difficult. After 24 hours, steamed veggies and light greens can be gradually introduced but yeast products, fruits and starchy foods are strictly forbidden.
Days 2 + 3 of the two week diet begins the "weeding" of the GI tract with broad spectrum natural antibiotics such as food grade hydrogen peroxide or garlic. Fresh garlic is preferred and is very inexpensive. Two crushed cloves twice daily with meals is adequate but be sure to let the peeled garlic be exposed to the air at lease 15 minutes before consuming. Of course odorless garlic capsules can also be used but their enteric coating may irritate the gut. If hydrogen peroxide is used, only 2 drops of "3% food grade" hydrogen peroxide should be mixed with 8 oz of purified or distilled water and drank 3 times a day.
Day 4 begins the "feeding" of the gut to heal any damaged areas, reestablish the good bacteria, and bring balance back to the intestinal tract. During this period it is important to stay away from sugar (including natural sugars in fruit), bread, rice, potatoes and all the foods that trigger IBS mentioned below.
The following foods may be gradually introduced as tolerated: steamed or stir fried vegetables, onions, asparagus, artichokes and high sulfur foods such as cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cress, kale, mustard, radish, and turnips. During the second week beans, peas, chicken, fish, lamb, yogurt, whole milk, and slow-cooked oatmeal can be reintroduced as tolerated. Stay away from instant oatmeal and low-fat milk.
Severe cases may have to redo the diet in two weeks if the reintroduction of normal foods triggers additional symptoms. Or the diet may be extended longer than two weeks if difficulty is experienced when new foods are eaten.
Helpful Natural Supplements
Slippery elm powder works wonders for acid reflux when drank as a tea and also helps heal damage to the intestinal walls by coating the intestines with a slippery protective surface that prevents the bad bacteria from sticking. It is a very safe and nutritious product that can even be used with babies and debilitated patients. The correct intestinal dosage if using capsules is 2 capsules, 3-4 times a day.
Sialex is an alternative to slippery elm. It is a mucus substitute, that is very helpful in healing even the most stubborn cases of ulceration in the stomach and small intestine. The recommended dosage of Sialex is 1-3 capsules with meals.
Food Triggers for IBS
Dairy products, fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, fructose, corn, grains (especially those containing gluten), citrus fruits, and spicy foods are all possible food triggers for IBS. Experiment with your diet to see which foods to avoid. Also consider taking a plant digestive enzyme every time you eat.
Things that may aggravate IBS
Acetaminophen can cause elevated levels of the serotonin byproduct 5-HIAA in the urine -- which suggests that acetaminophen interferes with serotonin metabolism. This interference may be from acetaminophen's effect on smooth muscles like the intestines. For instance, the sudden appearance of asthma in a previously non-asthmatic adult is often linked to acetaminophen use. The affected smooth muscles in the lungs are similar to the ones in the intestines. Dr. Marcus Laux believes that too much acetaminophen causes smooth muscles to convulse, leading to asthma in the lungs and diarrhea in the bowels. The intestinal convulsions most likely interfere with serotonin metabolism, resulting in the elevated levels of 5-HIAA in the urine. Thus, some forms of diarrhea-predominant IBS may be caused by the overuse of acetaminophen.
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