Food and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

One in five Americans suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is characterized by cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. While IBS does not harm the intestines or result in intestinal bleeding or cancer, it can make personal, social and professional life quite difficult.

It is not fully understood why some people suffer from IBS. As such, it is attributed as much to a sensitive colon as it is to certain foods. One thing is certain: The colon does not work normally in people who suffer from IBS. Thus, the colon may go into spasms or respond strongly to external stimuli, such as stress, and transport its contents either too quickly (causing diarrhea) or too slowly (causing constipation).

There is no remedy for IBS on hand. Ordinarily, IBS sufferers are recommended a combination of stress management, regular exercise and medications to ease the symptoms. These are supplemented by dietary changes, since IBS symptoms are aggravated by certain foods, or rich foods in larger portions. It should be noted, however, that no single food or dietary pattern has been invoked in ms (visit for details on foods and IBS).

A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that IBS sufferers may be overly sensitive to some common foods, including wheat, beef, lamb, and soybean, and possibly egg yolks and egg whites. This may, however, be a simple snapshot of IBS. Since the intestinal tract is an "open system," it is exposed to stimuli and allergens of all sorts. As such, the role of intestinal flora can hardly be overemphasized. One way to strengthen the intestinal flora is with the prebiotic InuFlora, which increases the number of beneficial gut bacteria considerably. These bacteria produce metabolites, which bolster the immune system to fend off any nauseous stimuli that may trigger allergies.

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