Nutritional Tips For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Author: Leticia Celentano
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Avoidance of overeating and a regular diet are important for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
To ensure the movement of food along the digestive tract, the intestines perform rhythmic contractions. In irritable bowel syndrome, there are spasms that, depending on their intensity, can lead to diarrhea or constipation. Females are affected significantly more often than males.
Factors relevant to the onset of the syndrome include the presence of stress, improper and irregular diet, hormonal changes, certain medications, intolerance to certain foods, infectious agents and others.
The symptoms that characterize the irritable bowel syndrome are alternating periods of constipation with subsequent diarrhea, bloating, gas, excretion of undigested residues, a feeling of shortness of breath and others.
The treatment of the condition is complex, but an important place is occupied by the change in the diet - exclusion or reduction of the intake of certain foods at the expense of others, avoiding overeating and observing the fivefold intake of food.
Increased flatulence leads to pain in the bowel, as well as overall discomfort for the patient. To reduce flatulence, it is recommended to stop drinking carbonated beverages, limit the consumption of cabbage, legumes - lentils, ripe beans and others. It is important to increase fluid intake - 1.5 to 2 liters of water, which is equivalent to 6-8 glasses of water.
Adding fiber-rich foods would facilitate the normal functioning of the intestines, but they should not be overdosed, especially if the main symptom is diarrhea, as it may increase its intensity. Fiber intake should be increased gradually, with the optimal amount per day being 30 g.
Rich sources of fiber are whole grain bread, unpeeled rice, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Fiber is mainly divided into two types - soluble and insoluble. The role of insoluble fiber is to trap undigested food residues, thus ensuring regular bowel movements. Stagnation of food for a long time in the intestine is a prerequisite for putrefactive processes.
With a predominance of diarrhea, a reduced intake of any hot or spicy spices is recommended. In addition, limit milk, fatty foods and artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol.
Lactose intolerance - intolerance to milk sugar is due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. This condition can also cause irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms appear up to 3-4 hours after consumption of fresh milk and are expressed in increased flatulence, pain in the bowel and diarrhea.
Consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages can increase diarrhea, so it is recommended to limit their intake. In contrast, mint has an antispasmodic effect on the intestinal wall. This is the reason why it is recommended to take it more often - in the form of tea or capsules of peppermint oil. Other herbs that have a similar effect to mint are chamomile, valerian roots and rosemary.
It is important to avoid overeating, also to eat 4-5 meals a day. Intake of water or other fluids during meals is not recommended due to dilution of digestive enzymes and consequent incomplete breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Patients should identify which foods are exacerbating their symptoms and then seek to limit their intake. 3460
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