What causes IBS?

“Can you help me find out which foods are causing my IBS?”

This is the most common question that people ask when calling me with symptoms like bloating, wind, diarrhoea, constipation and cramps. It’s true that food intolerances are a common part of IBS, and it’s tempting to think that if you could just identify the culprits, and cut them out, that would be the answer.

The problem with this approach is that I believe it’s asking the wrong question. The question is not WHAT am I reacting to but WHY am I reacting to foods at all.

If you haven’t worked out why your digestive system has become reactive, then cutting out foods may improve symptoms in the short term, but in the long term you are likely to develop different intolerances. This is because just eliminating foods is not dealing with the root of the problem.

So what is the root of the problem?

I’ve worked with IBS clients for the last 27 years. The approach that seems to work in the majority of cases is to look at 3 factors.

1) How well is the client digesting? Are they producing enough stomach acid and enzymes, chewing well, and allowing their body time to digest.

2) Do they have a good balance of gut bacteria?

3) How good is the integrity of their gut lining?

Often we end up working on all of these factors to some degree. Every person with IBS will need a slightly different approach.

I also look for deficiencies that could be impacting on these areas. For example, I do a zinc taste test on all my clients. If zinc levels are low, it’s likely that the gut wall isn’t able to maintain an adequate barrier. This is a common cause of food intolerances.

I aim to give each client a do-able, sustainable, set of guidelines for getting their gut working properly.

But what if my IBS is caused by stress?

Stress can trigger a whole host of symptoms in the body, from IBS to skin problems. Of course I can’t wave a magic wand, and make your stress go away, but understanding how the stress is impacting on your body systems, can help find a solution.

So if you’ve been cutting out an ever increasing list of foods, in an attempt to tame your IBS perhaps it’s time to start asking a different question.

Let’s have a chat and see how you could be IBS free.