Irritable colon: diet and supplements for a natural treatment

Irritable colon or large intestine is a functional syndromethat is to say, a pathology in which a disturbance of functioning intestine but there is no organic lesion.

Irritable bowel symptoms. Symptoms can be mild or severe. It is manifested by various digestive disorders. The most frequent are abdominal pain, gas, bloating, lack of appetite, diarrhea or constipation (or both).
(abdominal discomfort and distension, diarrhea or constipation, meteorism…) and that expresses a intestinal inflammatory or allergic response.Causes of irritable bowel. They are not entirely known. It may be induced by regular intake of medicationssuch as antibiotics, laxatives or iron tablets. Or it may be due to intolerance to certain foods, such as dairy or those rich in gluten. In addition, this intestinal reaction is usually associated with a situation of anxiety or emotional stress.Irritable colon treatment. He irritable bowel syndrome treatment should focus on eliminate the inflammatory or allergic response that exists at the base of the process.

Irritable bowel treatment

Irritable bowel affects affects one in ten people in developed countries and this proportion increases among women and between the ages of 20 and 50.

Conventional treatment includes drugs to treat symptoms, such as anticholinergics, antidepressants, and antibiotics. There is no specific and curative drug therapy.

Also recommended changes in diet such as avoiding foods and drinks that stimulate the intestines (such as caffeine, tea, or cola), eating small portions, and increasing your intake of high-fiber foods.

In general, follow a plant-based diet with little or no refined carbohydrates favors a healthy microbiome and regeneration of digestive tissues. A proper diet reduces intestinal inflammation and other symptoms such as fatigue or depression, as well as the risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, certain supplements can help reduce symptoms.

Diet low in FODMAPS and gluten against intestinal inflammation

In addition, when the symptoms worsen, you can try specific diets, such as low FODMAPS (The acronym stands for dietary sugars known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which can exacerbate symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome.)

Products rich in FODMAPS feed certain digestive bacteria that generate byproducts that cause pain and bloating. Often avoid or reduce these foods helps control symptoms inflammation, diarrhea and constipation.

Foods abundant in FODMAPS are wheat, barley, rye, onion, leek, asparagus, garlic, artichoke, beetroot, fennel, peas, endives, legumes, dairy products, fruits, honey, mushrooms, cauliflower, sweets…

Many of the foods that are limited on the low FODMAPS diet are very healthy for most people. That is why it must be done for a short period and under professional control, only when the symptoms are exacerbated, since there are no studies on its beneficial effect in the long term.

A low or gluten free diet It can also help, even if you are not celiac, because gluten can act on the intestinal mucosa and alter its barrier function. It can be recommended especially in people affected with diarrhea.

The same can be said of dairy products. The dairy free diet represents a relief in many cases.

Irritable colon: foods that are suitable and which are not

He irritable bowel syndrome treatment should focus on eliminate the inflammatory or allergic response that exists at the base of the process.

For this it is recommended temporarily suppress the consumption of animal milk and derivatives from the diet (such as yoghurts, cheeses, etc.), minimize foods with plenty of gluten (wheat, barley and rye)reduce the consumption of meats and sauces with fried foods, and moderate that of legumes.

In addition, it is advised drink plenty of fluids (between one and two liters a day, preferably outside of meals), preferably in the form of chamomile infusion(two tablespoons per liter of water), because it helps reduce inflammation of the digestive mucosa.

Among the fruits, they result apples, pears, persimmons or palosantos, quinces, papayas, dates, bananas, blueberries and avocados are especially recommended.

The Soluble fiber like apple pectin protects the intestinal mucosa.

The mucilage-rich fiber of the seaweed too makes them recommended.

Although warnings or recommendations regarding the artichoke in case of irritable colonthis does not have a special laxative effect.

It is a very healthy and recommended food, which exerts a demonstrated protective effect on the liverand you just have to avoid abusing it since It can produce excess gas.

Among the cereals, oatsespecially in the form of boiled flakes or porridge, is highly indicated in irritable bowel syndrome due to the mucilage it produces and its nutritional capacity.

Corn, preferably in the form of flour or flakesIt is also a good food, in addition to being gluten-free. The same happens with rice.

By following these dietary guidelines you will see that as the intestinal inflammation is reduced and the digestive mucosa is normalized, they are tolerated likewise every time more food.

The most effective supplements for irritable bowel

psyllium

For people with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation as the predominant symptom, a soluble fiber supplement (for example, those containing psyllium) may be helpful. Soluble fiber, which should be taken with plenty of water, is also found in foods like broad beans, avocados, oats, and dried plums.

This supplement should be taken under medical supervision if you are following any drug treatment, as it can influence absorption. In general, it is enough to take the medicine two hours before the high-fiber supplement.

probiotics

A recent review of studies, involving 1,800 participating patients, showed that probiotics (viable bacteria supplements) effectively reduce pain and severity of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome, especially in cases where diarrhea predominates.

However, given the variety of different probiotics that have been studied, it is difficult to know exactly which ones are most helpful or which is the most appropriate dosage.

However, according to the American Gastroenterological Association, the most used probiotics are Bifidobacterium infantis, Sacchromyces boulardii and Lactobacillus plantarum.

For their part, doctors Mª Luisa Morales and Dra. Francisca Agustín recommend, for irritable bowel syndrome, the strains NFC01748, NFCM
and LC1 of Lactobacillus acidophillus, as well as Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium longum.

peppermint oil

Peppermint oil has the property of relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal system and may help reduce abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

To reduce the potential for heartburn, delayed-release shell-caps (usually containing 0.2 mL of peppermint oil) are recommended. The adult dose is one to two capsules up to three times per day.

Specific diets, supplements, and relaxation and meditation techniques are safe methods that can also be used in combination with medication, if prescribed by a doctor.