Nutrition advice with the College of Naturopathic Medicine
Your queries about natural health answered by Jacquie Lane from the College of Naturopathic Medicine
Dear Jacquie
My doctor has confirmed I have IBS, I get bloating, embarrassing wind and problems going to the loo. He has given me antispasmodics but tells me that’s all he can give me and that diet probably doesn’t matter, I’ve heard it could be Candida, what can I do naturally?
A.L, Brighton
One in five people in the UK are reported as suffering from IBS but the causes of IBS are many and varied. Frequently it’s a term given to unexplained digestive conditions. It might be caused or even aggravated by some foods and stress can also be a major factor.
Keeping a food diary for two weeks recording everything that you eat and drink, and at what times, can be useful at analysing repeated triggers. Also record activities that day, including any exercise or stressful events and your symptoms. Having a test for food intolerances might also help, as can analysing the stools for Candida and good and bad bacteria – these can be organised through a nutritional therapist.
Frequently I see a lack of the good gut floras Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the tests I use for clients, plus an imbalanced stool acid/alkaline level can play a role in causing symptoms similar to yours. Taking combined supplements of these two beneficial bacterias may be useful at balancing good gut flora, which also help to push out unwanted bacterial strains.
Keeping soluble fibre levels correct by consuming enough vegetables helps, as does drinking spasm calming teas like peppermint and fennel. Psyllium husk can be good for bulking out the stool and helping balance out both diarrhoea and constipation, however, it must be taken with enough fluid to enable its action.
It’s best not to guess the course of therapy and as you have ruled out any other condition such as Crohn’s or colitis with your GP, I would recommend getting expert advice from a nutritionist who can help you target your therapy specifically to your individual condition. A nutritionist will help by finding the root cause of the problem and not just deal with the symptoms.
See your health professional for advice.
CNM open evening
If you would like to train to become a nutritional therapist, please book to attend CNM’s next open evening in Brighton.
Call 01342 410505 or visit www.naturopathy-uk.com
Jacquie Lane is a lecturer at the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) and the Director of Studies at CNM in Brighton. Jacquie also runs her own nutrition clinic in Brighton and manages a biological testing lab specialising in digestive issues.
Email Jacquie Lane: sunshinenutrition@hotmail.co.uk
