I have been suffering from what is known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I have heard about the strict diet that I must maintain. What are other options to keep me free of pain?
Dietary changes are important in most cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A holistic perspective would include increasing dietary fiber, eliminating allergenic foods, using enteric-coated preparation of peppermint oil, using additional supplementation of lactobacillus acidophilus, vitamin E, and borage/flax oil. Additionally, you should address mental/emotional factors such as stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety and sleep problems.
Your natural food store should have a brand of peppermint oil that is coated so that it is not so rapidly absorbed and makes it into the large intestine. I usually advise 1 pill three times daily between meals. The borage/flax combination is taken 2 caps twice daily with meals. I’d be very surprised if you were not significantly better in 3 months.
Don’t just take the supplements and fiber without some dietary changes. In time, you will probably be able to eat some of your allergens or irritants in moderation. Suspicious foods are milk products, sugar and wheat, but getting tested for your individual reactions would be best. The ELISA ACT or ELISA IgE/IgG4 would be the better allergy tests to have ordered.