Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; IBS

Hello NSD'ers

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with IBS. Any help is appreciated. Besides avoiding coffee, tea, dairy and alcolhol I am not making any headway with this problem. I do take probiotics on a regular basis as well.

Debbie

Hi deborah, sorry to hear about your problems.. I don't know much about IBS and keep getting IBS and IBD confused ;-)

I think cocounut fiber was supposed to be good. Stopped diarhoea or something.

I vaguely remember something about sulfur containing vegetables (brocoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and maybe coliflower) being a problem in UC, IBS or IBD due to fermentation.. can't remember this very clearly though..

all the best,
z

Hi Debbie,

I have ulcerative colitis (similar to IBS except that with U.C. bleeding ulcers are present on the lining of the lower intestine). I think that any of these intestinal illnesses are stubborn and take time and perserverance to find out how to control the symptoms. I have been on the NSD diet for 6 weeks and it helps but I have had to further modify it for the time being since I am in U.C. flare-up mode (it seems to be healing but have to make sure I give it time) Everyone is different, but I will mention what I have to watch out for during flare ups.

I am o,k, with mild coffee and tea (black no milk) but cannot take dairy or alcohol.

I can eat most meat but beef causes constipation. I mostly eat fish and chicken, and cold cuts that contain no starch.

Salads are good, no cooked vegetables. Two pieces of fruit per day (any more is too much) apples, grapes, or raisins. No fruit juice. Not too much sugar (I seem to be o.k. with occasional starch-free sweet indulgences)

For me the key is to keep the diet simple while in flare-up. Small frequents meals, chew food well, relax while eating all help in digestive process.

My typical day:

Breakfast: Apple, 1/2 can of salmon, cup of mild tea.
Snack: Cup of mild coffee with two mejool dates.
Lunch: Spinach, carrot, cucumber, chicken salad with vinegar/oil dressing. Apple for dessert if still hungry.
Snack: Apple (if not eaten at lunchtime) or small piece of halvah.
Dinner: Baked haddock, field greens, radish, carrot salad.

I drink as much water as I can throughout the day.

I think it is also important to avoid nuts until your system has healed. They can irritate the lining of the intestine (if it is not in a healthy state).

Supplements are important also, I take EFA's, Probiotic, glutamine, Triphala (an Ayurvedic intestinal formula--helpful if you are prone to constipation but not recommended if you are more prone to loose stool), sauerkraut juice.

Hope you feel better soon,
H

hi Deborah,

I've suffered with IBS to varying degrees for 12 years now and to be honest i'm none the wiser as to what triggers mine. Over the years I have tried various exclusion diets, supplements, reflexology, acupuncture....and on and on, some things have provided temporary relief, others none at all.

To treat this and the AS i have been to see a holisitic therapist and i'm taking steps to detox my body, as well as sticking to a strict NSD. I've been doing it strictly for 16 days now and my tummy is still objecting, although not as badly as it was last week (this could be a die off related flare). What i really need to do is a fast and then reintroduce foods to see what's causing what as my IBS has got so bad and my constipation and wind so chronic that i need to start from scratch to work out what the culprets are, as at the moment just eating triggers of bloating, stomach ache etc.

The other suggestions have been very helpful, but from experience i would say that everyone is different so perhaps try some of the suggestions one at a time and note the effect?

Not very helpful post i realise! But I totally sympathise with you, IBS is a nasty and painful nuisance and i'm convinced that the years of constipation and laxative cycle lead to my leaky gut that eventually over many years lead to my AS.

Good luck!

You cut out all dairy, but yogurt may be helpful. I was off the dairy too, and was taking probiotics (on and off). My stomach wasn't in perfect condition. I recently added yogurt back into my diet and my stomach has gotten better. Might be worth a try.

I recently found out my IBS is caused by grains, specifically wheat. Also found out I don't digest the protein in milk either. Anyway, I cut out wheat first, then dairy, and my intestines have never been happier.

You might try it for a few weeks and see what happens!

Hi Zark,

I do not know the difference between IBS or IBD either and am just guessing I might have one or the other. I have read that broccolli and cauliflower were not good as well. I must admit I eat broccolli 2 - 3 times per week. I will have to start a food diary to see if they are causing a problem. Hope not as the list of what to eat is getting shorter and they are supposed to be so good for you.

Thanks for the tip Zark,


Debbie

Hi Ruby7,

Thanks for the detailed information. Why no fruit juice or only 2 pieces of fruit per day?
I never thought of nuts being an irritant but I can see why they would now that you point it out. I have been eating almonds as a snack lately. Why no cooked vegetables? I would think that cooked would be easier on your stomach than raw. Do you eat eggs? I have them daily for breakfast. You have given me lots to think about and ideas on how to adjust my diet while my colon is healing. You have given lots of thought to your diet and I may have to incorporate some of your ideas into my day and see if it makes a difference. Thanks again!

Debbie

Hi Sarah,

Twelve years is a long time to suffer with this unpleasant ailment. You have really tried many options with little relief. The fasting and reintroducing foods is a good idea though the only fast I have done is the apple fast and I am so hungry after that it is hard to slowly introduce food back in. I think I will start a food diary to see if I can come up with a pattern here as some days I do not have a clue what has triggered it. Thanks for your help and sorry you have suffered with this for so long.

Debbie

Hi Eric,

I am thinking of trying yogurt and would be so happy if I could eat it. I am a little reluctant to try it though because dairy really seems to set it off lately. I used to be able to eat yogurt and hard cheese but lately it does not agree with me. I actually bought some and it is sitting in the fridge but I am just to afraid to try it for fear of a reaction. I am glad it helps you and if I get the courage up to try it I will let you know what happens.

Debbie