Foods That Affect Ibs

Foods That Affect Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder that is caused when the muscles lining the intestines do not constrict and relax at the proper speed. This causes food to move through the intestines either too slowly or too quickly. The most common symptoms or irritable bowel syndrome are constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping and bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome is not dangerous, however, it can greatly decrease the quality of life of the patient and the stress it creates can cause health problems.

There currently is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome, but treatment is available in the form of anti-spasm medications. However, the most effective treatment involves understanding foods that effect irritable bowel syndrome. It is also important for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome to keep records of which foods cause IBS symptoms to occur. On the positive side, there are a few foods and nutrients that can help alleviate occurrences of irritable bowel syndrome.

Foods to avoid to prevent irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

1. Fatty foods - No single food has been shown to cause the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome more than red meat or any fatty food. Fat is very slow to digest and enters the intestines where it is a major contributor to the body's inability to pass food at the proper speed. Even individuals who do not suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have a difficult time moving fat through the intestines.

2. Caffeine - Once caffeine enters the body, one of the places it reacts with quickly is the muscles and lining of the intestines. Caffeine is a stimulant and will cause the muscles surrounding the intestines to change their normal movement patterns. This will be exacerbated in patients who already have problems regulating the rate of muscle contractions.

Foods that help alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

1. Soluble fiber - Soluble fiber which is found in most whole grains and in particular oatmeal, forms into a gel when it enters the intestines. This gel is the perfect consistency for mobility through the intestines. As it moves through the intestines, it also pushes bad foods such as fats through the system properly.

2. Insoluble fiber - While there are some conflicting reports on insoluble fiber and irritable bowel syndrome. The majority of research shows that insoluble fiber can help reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Insoluble fiber is found mainly in fruits and vegetables and passes through the body unchanged. One negative effect of insoluble fiber is that when an individual first starts eating insoluble fiber, that person may feel bloated, which is a common symptom of IBS. The bloating caused by insoluble fiber will go away quickly though.

Another very important food to mention is Milk and dairy products. All of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are also seen in people with a lactose intolerance. With lactose intolerance, a person is unable to digest lactose, which is the sugar found in milk. While many people will say that milk can cause irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, it does not cause these symptoms unless the person also is lactose intolerant.