April is IBS Awareness Month: A Functional Approach to Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome

As April rolls around, it's a timely reminder to raise awareness about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and explore a functional approach to managing this often misunderstood condition.

Do you ever feel like your gut is playing a cruel April Fool's joke on you all month long? Well, you've landed in the right spot because this article takes a deep dive into IBS and how to ditch the band-aid solutions for a real, lasting fix.

If you frequently experience symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, increased gas, mucus in your stool, or a sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation, you might be wondering what's going on.

Is it constipation or diarrhea today? It's easy to get caught up in the what. But what if we focused on the why? That's where a functional approach comes in.

While seeking a diagnosis is natural, focusing solely on what you have may not be the most productive angle. Giving a name to a set of symptoms does not provide much insight as to WHY you are experiencing the symptoms you are experiencing. Let's delve deeper into the nature of IBS and how to address it holistically.

Think of it this way: getting an IBS diagnosis is like being told you have a car that makes a weird noise. The diagnosis just says, "weird noise car." It doesn't tell you if it's the engine, the tires, or your teenage son messing with the exhaust pipe. A functional approach is like popping the hood and looking at the engine to figure out what's really going on.

Understanding IBS

Let me clarify a few points:

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is defined as a chronic condition characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. The "S" in "IBS" stands for "syndrome," signifying a group of related symptoms without a specific or single cause. There are even subsets of IBS: IBS-C (with constipation), IBS-D (with diarrhea), and IBS-M (with mixed bowel habits).

When your doctor tells you that you have IBS, it really serves as a label for a set of symptoms with an unidentified cause. In many cases, your doctor might not help you get to the root of the issue. They may simply prescribe medication or recommend an over-the-counter remedy to alleviate the symptoms.

As a functional nutrition practitioner, my goal is to ask better questions instead of settling for a diagnosis. This requires a thorough investigation into your health history, symptoms, and lifestyle. A functional approach to health may require more detective work and digging deeper, but it's worth it when it comes to your health.

Now, what could be causing all this digestive drama? Here are some potential contributors to IBS to consider: 

• Gut-brain axis dysfunction

• Imbalanced immune system function 

• Leaky gut

• Gut dysbiosis

• Yeast or fungal overgrowth

• SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

• Parasites

• Past or current infections

• Chronic or past antibiotic use

• Hormonal imbalances

• Stress

• History of trauma

• Food intolerances

• Low vagal tone

Some other common triggers for IBS symptoms include certain foods, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Many women also find that their IBS symptoms flare up in conjunction with their menstrual cycles. Paying attention to these patterns can provide valuable insights into your condition.

Comprehensive Testing

As a functional nutritionist, I often utilize comprehensive stool tests, SIBO breath tests, complete thyroid panels, vitamin levels, food sensitivity assessments, toxins, viral load, and more. It's like putting together a puzzle, where each test is a piece that helps us see the whole picture. This approach allows us to dive deeply into what's going on with your gut and other body systems, including the thyroid, sex hormones, nutrient status, and more, and paints a clearer picture of what is at the root of IBS symptoms.

Some of my "go-to" foundational testing for digestive complaints include:

• GI MAP or Gut Zoomer for gut health

• SIBO breath test

• Comprehensive thyroid panel, including thyroid antibodies

• B12, folate, or MMA tests

• Vitamin D

• Comprehensive Metabolic Assessment (CMP)

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential

• MRT/LEAP food sensitivity assessment

• Viral Immune Panel

It's important to remember that we cannot examine one system in isolation; everything in the body is interconnected. Identifying triggers and patterns can significantly aid in understanding the specific case of IBS. Each case and each individual are unique, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach often doesn't work. This is where a personalized, tailored approach is incredibly beneficial.

Supplements And Natural Treatments

While I believe in the power of supplements to support digestive health, they must be tailored to an individual's specific needs and lab findings and ideally under the guidance of a functional medicine practitioner. What works for one person may not work for another, which is just part of the reason relying on Google and AI to address your health doesn't work. 

Here are some of my go-to supplements and natural treatments for IBS:

• Probiotics aim to correct gut dysbiosis and support a healthy, robust, and diverse microbiome.

• An Elemental Diet is a type of meal replacement formula that is made up exclusively of pre-digested nutrients. It's intended for use when your gut needs to rest and repair and a chance to focus on healing. An Elemental Diet really needs to be under the practitioner's supervision)

• L-glutamine is an amino acid that has been shown to help restore the gut lining and improve intestinal permeability (leaky gut).

• Slippery elm is an herbal supplement that works as a demulcent, meaning that it forms a protective film over mucus membranes to reduce inflammation and irritation.

• Digestive enzymes 

• I am also a big fan of gut-specific peptides such as BPC-157. BPC-157 accelerates healing, regulates inflammation, protects from gastric ulcers, and alleviates gastrointestinal disorders, including "leaky gut" and IBS.  

Gut health is a pillar of well-being; pre- and probiotics and digestive enzymes can only go so far. Cultivating "good" digestive health can only be as strong and long-lasting as the raw materials, the cells! This means addressing the root causes of health or disease by starting with the fundamental units of life: our cells and their powerhouses, the mitochondria. This is a big topic and conversation; stay tuned for more on this topic in a future blog article.

Diet and Lifestyle changes to better manage IBS symptoms

As a functional nutrition practitioner, of course, I emphasize diet; it is foundational to health. I always recommend ensuring the diet does not include toxins, food dyes, herbicide and pesticide residues, and other harsh chemicals often found in processed foods. Instead, aim for diverse nutrient-dense produce, high-quality proteins, and healthy fats. 

Sometimes, we need to dial in the diet a bit more to allow for some digestive relief, so I recommend consuming a Low FODMAP diet or an Elemental Diet, eliminating food sensitivities from the diet, and strategically reintroducing them over time.

Intermittent fasting has many health benefits, including supporting a healthier microbiome, reducing inflammation, and giving your digestive system a chance to rest and repair. There are different ways you can work intermittent fasting into your routine. The simplest option is to allow 12 hours between your last meal of the evening and your first meal of the following day. 

How we eat is just as important as what we eat. Being in a "rest and digest" or parasympathetic state is necessary for proper digestion. The digestive process starts in the brain and triggers a cascade of events and chemical reactions within the body. When we are in a sympathetic dominant state—often referred to as "fight, flight, or freeze"—the body prioritizes addressing the stressor, which causes digestion to take a back seat.

Eat slowly and mindfully: how we eat matters, too. Create a relaxing environment around mealtime, free of distractions, and take the time to chew your food thoroughly. Slow and mindful eating helps to support better digestion, motility, and nutrient absorption and reduces stress on the gut.  

This ties into stress management. Stress can massively impact gut health and IBS. Again, being in a sympathetic dominant state negatively impacts digestion, so incorporating stress management practices such as meditation, yoga, or even a into your daily routine is vital.

Address IBS from a Functional Approach and get long-lasting results

Remember that you are not alone in your journey as we continue to shed light on IBS awareness. Each case is unique, and progress may require a personalized approach. Stay tuned for more insights into gut health and how we can work towards a holistic understanding of well-being.

If you're ready to take control of your health through a holistic lens, Book a call with me, Eli, to start your journey toward more profound, long-lasting wellness. By addressing the root causes of your IBS, you can finally break free from the cycle of symptoms and start living your life to the fullest.