Avoid Eating Gas Forming Vegetables When You Have IBS

Depending on the level of gas and bloating present, certain foods should be avoided, as they tend to cause more gas. These include:

• Raw peppers, especially green
• Raw onion
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprouts

Starchy vegetables like carrots, butternut, pumpkin and potato are less gas forming.

Increase Fluid Intake

An increase in fiber intake must always be accompanies by an increase in water intake.

Caffeine is considered an irritant to the digestive system and can worsen symptoms of IBS, especially cramps. Sugar and fizzy drinks are also discouraged in IBS, as the gas can cause bloating and the sugar can cause unhealthy bacteria and yeasts to flourish in the digestive system.

Connection With Allergies And Intolerances

Some people with IBS might have specific allergies and intolerances, which can either be diagnosed through a laboratory or by an elimination and reintroduction process. Common culprits include wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, nuts and seeds and soya products.

Supplements And IBS

Gut Flora

One of the characteristic features of IBS os often the presence of disturbed gut microflora. We all have billions of bacteria in our colons, some bad and some good. When the bad bacteria are allowed to overgrow, this can worsen symptoms of IBS and also enhance Candida growth. There are two ways of improving our bacterial flora and allowing more good bacteria to flourish. One is to supplement with probiotics and the other is to eat foods that help their growth naturally.

There are many probiotic supplements on the market, and they are generally chosen dependant on the presenting symptoms. For example some strains are more effective in treating Candida and constipation, while other strands are more effective in treating loose stools and pain.

In the diet, special dietary components called fructo-oligosacharides (FOS) and inulin can help to build up the gut flora to a healthy balance. FOS and inulin are found naturally in many vegetable sources like artichoke, burdock, chicory, onions, leeks and asparagus but are widely distributed in many fruits and vegetables. These substances, also knows as pre-biotics, are often found together with some probiotic supplements.

Fiber Supplements

Sometimes, IBS sufferers will add a fiber supplement to the diet instead of trying to get all fiber from dietary sources. Insoluble fiber is usually bought in the form on wheat bran. What allergic people will sometimes buy it as rice bran or quinoa bran. Insoluble fiber supplements include psyllium seed husk and ispaghula husk. 

Other Supplements

See Also: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Other supplements that help with IBS symptoms, include:

• Aloe Vera (helps reduce intestinal inflammation and relives constipation)
• Flax seed oil with lignans (helps to maintain a normal stool and is useful for both constipation and diarrhoea)
• L-glutamine (this amino acid can help heal digestive cells, especially when inflammation is present)
• Edible peppermint oil (helps to relive gas in the system)
• Camomile (helps to relive cramps)