Did you know approximately 1 in 5 Australians experience the unpleasant symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) at some point in their lives? 1 IBS is a condition characterised by a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, wind, constipation and/or diarrhoea*. People with IBS tend to have sensitive bowels, which can have a major impact on day to day activities – such as working with distracting intestinal pain, or needing to know where the nearest bathroom is every time they leave the house.
What Triggers Tummy Troubles?
While the exact cause of IBS is unknown, there are a number of triggers which may bring on IBS symptoms in predisposed individuals, including food intolerances and diets low in fibre. Interestingly, an IBS ‘flare up’ may also be caused by exposure to stress. This is thought to be due to the brain-gut connection, whereby emotions may trigger digestive upset. Therefore, in addition to making dietary changes, reducing stress levels may play an important part in maintaining healthy gut function and managing IBS symptoms.
Some Foods Make it Worse. Why?
Certain foods can act as a trigger for an IBS flare up. Foods high in sugars and carbohydrates can cause fermentation in the gut, leading to bloating and pain in sensitive individuals (see IBS (FODMAP) diet). Navigating food intolerances can be challenging, however a diet diary is a useful method of monitoring your response to food and drink. This can help you and your health Practitioner identify what is aggravating your digestive system, so that the source of the irritation may be limited in future.
Should I Take a Probiotic?
A typical human digestive system contains a huge number of bacteria with a corresponding mass of approximately one to two kilograms! 2 Maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria (also known as microbiota or gut ‘flora’), supports a healthy digestive system and general wellbeing. This is where probiotics come in; commonly referred to as ‘good’ bacteria as they can help support a healthy balance of gut microbiota. However, it’s important to note that not all probiotics are the same as they vary in their level of activity. For example, some may provide a therapeutic effect and others may do very little at all. So it’s essential to choose the right probiotic strain (or variety) to get the best results.
Ethical Nutrients IBS Support contains the extensively researched probiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum (299v). The 299v strain may help reduce the symptoms of medically diagnosed IBS such as bloating, intestinal pain, flatulence and constipation. Furthermore, Lactobacillus plantarum (299v) may help promote healthy digestion, maintain normal bowel function, and aid in the maintenance of general wellbeing. IBS Support can be taken at the simple dose of just one capsule daily, or twice daily for severe cases, to help manage symptoms.
In addition to the above tips to support normal healthy gut function; don’t forget probiotic strain 299v, featured in Ethical Nutrients IBS Support, as it may assist with the management of medically diagnosed IBS.
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