SPECIAL REPORT Natural Relief for Bowel Syndrome by Dr. Mark Stengler TO www.markstengler.com All rights reserved. This program, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the author. Copyright 2017 by Mark Stengler NMD. All rights reserved.
Tired of always scrambling for the nearest bathroom? Stop battling your belly and learn how to heal it! How long has it been since you actually felt good after a meal? When was the last time that finding a bathroom quickly enough or making something happen once you were in there wasn t a struggle? If you re like many older folks, it s been DECADES. I know, because that s the boat I found myself in at a very young age. During my teenage years and into my early twenties, I suffered from abdominal pain and extreme bloating, along with bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Of course, my family and I prepared ourselves for the worst. But the gastroenterologist my family doctor had referred me to performed some diagnostic tests including a sigmoidoscopy, a scope that examines the rectum and lower (a.k.a. sigmoid ) colon and, in my follow-up visit, assured me that I did not have cancer, Crohn s disease, or anything life-threatening, rare, or exotic. Instead, he suggested that I must have a common digestive ailment known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, he offered no solutions. Even back then, I was something of a research junkie with an affinity for holistic approaches so I asked if food allergies or sensitivities could be causing my symptoms. He looked at his watch noted my five minutes were up and said, Maybe. That was the end of my reliance on conventional medicine for helping my IBS. In my search to heal my own gut, I found naturopathic and holistic approaches were by far the best way to prevent IBS and I ve rarely experienced any IBS symptoms ever since. 2
And now, the only thing that makes me irritable is the way family doctors and gastroenterologists treat IBS! Don t let this condition ruin your life While family doctors generally diagnose IBS with patients, many others will get confirmation by consultation with a gastroenterologist. Up to 40 percent of all visits to gastroenterologists are due to IBS symptoms. 1 So, needless to say, there are a lot of people who need real help with IBS. But I should note that there s no patented test for IBS so, most docs (like my gastroenterologist) diagnose it based on the patient s symptoms. If you re experiencing pain in your abdomen feeling bloated or are going to the bathroom too much (IBS-D), too little (IBS-C), or both (IBS-M) it s likely you ve got some form of IBS. And that s especially true if you find yourself running to find a restroom in an emergency and then struggling to get it all out. IBS can affect all age groups, including children and the elderly but half of people with IBS report having had their first symptoms, as I did, before age 35. 2 While IBS may not put you in an early grave, it can significantly reduce your quality of life. Not only does it make your life revolve around your bathroom visits, but it s also associated with depression and suicidal thoughts. 3 A vicious cycle If left untreated, IBS doesn t just go away. It s nearly impossible to ignore but the conventional medical treatments don t address the root causes of IBS and therefore come up short in terms of alleviating symptoms. In fact, most of those drugs have the potential for side effects that CAUSE common IBS symptoms! IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D) Alosetron (Lotronex) blocks serotonin signals from the gut to the brain, which can reduce diarrhea and abdominal pain. It s mainly used with women who have severe 3
diarrhea-related IBS. But it can work TOO well, and so one of its frequent side effects is constipation. A serious side effect called ischemic colitis can occur, when blood supply is reduced from the colon, resulting in pain and tissue possible damage. Eluxadoline (Viberzi) is a newer drug that activates receptors in the nervous system, which reduces bowel contractions. It is used for IBS-D in adult women and men. More common side effects include constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. As well, life threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can occur, though rarely. Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is an antibiotic that alters gut bacteria for those with IBS-D. Side effects may include swelling of the hands and feet, dizziness, and increased liver enzymes. IBS with Constipation (IBS-C) Lubiprostone (Amitza) promotes secretion in the bowel, which enhances contractions of the digestive tract. Side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and flatulence. Linactolide (Linzess) promotes movement through the digestive tract and blocks pain signals in the intestines. Side effects can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flatulence. Did You Know? IBS affects 11 percent of the world s population. 4 In the United States, it affects up to 45 million people. 5 Could you be one of them? Banish those bathroom emergencies Now, according to conventional wisdom, IBS can t be cured. Your only hope is to reduce its symptoms. In my experience, however, the symptoms can be relieved AND the condition can be cured that is, when the root causes are treated. By addressing the root causes of IBS, you can set the stage for a healthy gut lining, which will not only result in improved digestion but a healthier body in general. 4
And there are a number of potential causes at the root of IBS that are entirely treatable. For example, there s emerging evidence that a large number of people with IBS have undiagnosed, chronic infections in their digestive tract! One of the infections that is very common is small intestine bacterial overgrowth, known as SIBO. In fact, research by Dr. Mark Pimentel from Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles has found that the MAJORITY of people with IBS have SIBO (you can read about this in his book A New IBS Solution). Normally, the small intestine contains a small amount of bacteria, yet those with SIBO have large amounts and of those typically found in the colon. This leads to the fermentation of food, which creates IBS symptoms. As well, it interferes with small intestine s ability to perform the important process of the absorbing nutrients. Your holistic doctor can order a breath test to see if you have this condition or, you can just try some of the safe, natural treatments available to see if you feel better afterwards. If you do have SIBO, there are many effective, natural ways to eliminate the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. As I shared at length in the January 2015 edition of Health Revelations, herbal extracts such as berberine, oregano, bilberry, garlic, and others can be very effective. As well, reducing foods that feed the unwanted bacteria for a short period of time, known as the Low FODMAP diet, helps. Finally, improving intestinal motility with fibrous foods and fiber supplements (such as psyllium and chia seeds) prevents a relapse of the problem. Another infection to be aware of is yeast overgrowth. As I share with you on page 6 of this issue, the most common culprit is Candida albicans, a common side effect of antibiotic use. Yeast overgrowth also occurs when people have been on steroids, such as prednisone, and have been indulging in a diet that s high in simple sugars, which feeds the yeast. Candida infection can be detected by stool tests, urinalysis, and blood tests. However, a low sugar diet, probiotics, and antifungal herbs such as oregano and caprylic acid are often effective. 5
The other infection to be aware of is parasite infections. While often thought of as a third-world problem, parasitic infections affect many Americans. Infection may occur through contaminated food and water or animals, especially pets. For example, a patient of mine had IBS symptoms, and stool testing showed she had high levels of a parasite known as Blastocystis hominis. A holistic doctor can knock these offending critters out of your gut with anti-parasitic herbs or medications. A century-old solution The role of food sensitivities in triggering digestive problems, including IBS, is very much overlooked in conventional medicine even though it s been described in the literature since the early 1900 s. There are essentially two kinds of food sensitivities, also known as intolerances: immediate reaction and delayed reaction. The most common by far is the delayed reaction type. This means you won t experience symptoms for several hours or even possibly a few days after consuming the offending food(s). By maintaining a diet diary, you can often figure out which foods are causing digestive upset. As well, we have much better technology than ever before with blood tests that identify food sensitivities. Common food sensitivities I see with IBS patients include dairy products, wheat, soy, citrus, peanuts, chocolate, and corn. Your doc can also test you for problems with food items that you may genetically be predisposed to having problems digesting. For example, approximately 30 million Americans have some degree of lactose intolerance due to a deficiency of the milk sugar digesting enzyme lactase. Also, your doctor can test to see if you have an intolerance to fructose, which is found naturally in fruits, fruit juices, some vegetables, high fructose corn syrup, and honey. This intolerance can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, and low blood sugar. Another possibility is an intolerance to sorbitol, a sugar that s often added to processed foods and medicines to make them sweet. It can result in gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. 6
You can improve your symptoms pretty quickly just by eliminating or restricting the foods you re sensitive to. And you may not have to give up foods you love forever! You may just need to give your digestive tract a break so it can heal. No need to wait for quick relief from IBS Healing your gut can take some time. And in today s society of quick fixes and instant gratification, it can feel like a looooong time. But there s no reason why you should continue to feel horrible while you are in the slow process of working on the root causes of IBS. So, in the meantime, here are some natural remedies you can use to get quick relief from your symptoms: Peppermint oil: The use of enteric-coated (a.k.a. hard-coated) capsules has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain and discomfort, flatulence, bloating, and stomach growling. It can also improve your stool frequency and form. Take one or two capsules, twice daily, between meals. Ginger Root: Ginger has long been used in Asian and naturopathic medicine for relieving bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Drink fresh organic ginger tea or take one to two capsules of ginger extract for quick relief. High-dose probiotic: Taking a probiotic with human studied strains at doses of 100 to 300 billion organisms for a week can help get IBS under control. This makes sense, since good flora in the gut crowds out bad microbes and assists in the breakdown of food. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the number of patients with substantial relief of their IBS symptoms was significantly higher in the probiotics group (68 percent) than in the placebo group (37.5 percent). Once your symptoms have settled down, you can reduce to a maintenance dose of 20 billion or more daily. Make sure you are using a probiotic that has human-studied strains! Unfortunately, many probiotics on the market use bacterial strains that have no human studies. Power up your digestion You may also need to train your body to digest food better because if the food isn t broken down into small enough particles, it can cause irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract lining. As a result, your digestive organs do not function optimally and poor digestion occurs. 7
So, you may have to stop taking those meds that suppress your stomach acid. The hydrochloric acid and pepsin produced in the stomach is CRITICAL for liquefying foods so that they can be more easily broken down further in the digestive tract! Fortunately, there are several great nutritional supplements that can support and restore your digestive powers. I am a big believer in bitter herbs, which have been used by many cultures for hundreds of years to stimulate the stomach and other digestive organs. By taking these bitter herbs before or with meals, you can retrain the digestive system to work better on its own. One of the best-known is gentian root, which is commonly the lead herb in digestive herbal formulas. Ten drops of the liquid form or one to two capsules around meal time is very effective for those with IBS. Digestive enzymes that breakdown food directly can also be extremely effective. Good formulas, which are taken with meals, will break down protein, fats, carbohydrates, lactose, sugar, fiber, gluten, and other components found in food. Getting stressed out just stirs the pot Ever notice how you can feel it in your gut when you re under psychological or physical stress? Your body responds to the stress with nerve impulses that directs the blood flow toward the brain and muscles and away from the digestive tract. Especially if it s chronic, stress is a factor that can worsens your preexisting IBS. You see, when you ve got high stress as well as chronic infections, food intolerances, and poor digestion, it sets the stage for what is known as increased intestinal permeability (a.k.a. leaky gut syndrome ). The lining of the small intestine becomes unhealthy, and foods that should not cross the intestinal barrier enter the bloodstream, resulting in an inflammatory immune reaction and malabsorption. This not only causes digestive symptoms but can lead to systemic symptoms such as fatigue, joint and muscle pain, focus problems, mood changes, and a variety of other possible symptoms. If you find your IBS primarily flares up during times of stress, you need to be aware of this fact and take steps to manage stress better. Exercise, prayer, and other stressreducing techniques are important in keeping your IBS under control. 8
You can also use supplements that help calm and regulate the nervous system. A balanced nervous system results in a balanced digestive system. For example, people prone to anxiety can supplement with GABA, a calming amino acid. In addition, chamomile tea reduces digestive inflammation and has a calming effect as well. Article Citations 1. International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Facts About IBS. Accessed May 31, 2017 at http://www.aboutibs.org/what-is-ibs/facts-about-ibs-2.html 2. Caroline Canavan, Joe West, Timothy Card. The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Epidemiol. 2014; 6: 71 80 3. Caroline Canavan, Joe West, Timothy Card. The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Epidemiol. 2014; 6: 71 80 4. Caroline Canavan, Joe West, Timothy Card. The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Epidemiol. 2014; 6: 71 80 5. International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Facts About IBS. Accessed May 31, 2017 at http://www.aboutibs.org/what-is-ibs/facts-about-ibs-2.html Adapted from Dr. Stengler's Health Revelations Newsletter with permission www.healthrevelations.com 9