Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:51 pm   Reply with quote      

My 21 year old daughter suffers from IBS. She takes a prescription that the doctor prescribed but it doesn't really help. Is there anything natural she can take to help?

Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:55 pm   Reply with quote      

Peppermint oil may reduce gas production, ease intestinal cramping, and soothe irritation in the intestinal tract. The active ingredient in peppermint oil (menthol) relaxes the intestinal smooth muscle, relieving spasms of the bowel. Look for enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules. The enteric coating allows the oil to bypass digestion in the stomach where the acid environment would otherwise destroy the active ingredient. This allows the oil to be delivered to the site where pain and cramping are occurring. Enzymatic Therapy and Nature’s Way both make this supplement.

Real recovery from IBS though depends on one’s lifestyle. It is important to remove the underlying aggravating factors, such as possible food intolerances and stress. Nourishing the body with high quality food and consuming well balanced meals are imperative to restoring healthy function of the intestinal tract. Attached is a document that lists some key factors in changing the diet to support healthy functioning of the digestive tract.

Intestinal flora plays a major role in gastrointestinal health. Studies have shown that probiotics administered to those with IBS resulted in improvement in symptoms. Clinical experience in physicians' practices has supported the cause and effect relationship between IBS and inflammation because patients with IBS symptoms frequently improve when they take probiotics with digestive enzymes. Two more attached documents explain further about probiotics and digestive enzymes.

The last document is a recipe for a digestive tea that has proved useful for soothing the entire digestive tract. For more supportive information I recommend contacting the Nutritional Health Coach at your nearest Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage to review our documents on “Nutrition and Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. This is a free service.

Download FF.Digestion Infusion.pdf
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Download Enzymes$.JA.1206.pdf
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Download Probiotics$.JA.0606.pdf
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Download IBS and Diet$.JA.0502.pdf
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