Aloe Vera advice!

[susiebluesy]

Hey - just wanted to ask advice. A couple of people on here have advised using aloe Vera for digestive issues, and I wanted to try but I'm

Not sure which one would be best for me? I tend to get bloated, trapped wind and a bit constipated too so would be great to hear which one would work best for me as there seem to be a few!! X

[Impatient]

I always consult webmd.com for advice on any drugs.

For Aloe Vera oral is states

Side effects. Topical aloe vera might cause skin irritation. Oral aloe, which has a laxative effect, can cause cramping and diarrhea. This may cause electrolyte imbalances in the blood of people who ingest aloe for more than a few days. It can also stain the colon, thus making it difficult to visualize the colon during a colonoscopy. So avoid it for a month prior. Aloe gel, for topical or oral use, should be free of athroquinones (primarily the compound aloin). These are the compounds that can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.

Risks. Do not apply topical aloe vera to deep cuts or severe burns. People allergic to garlic, onions, and tulips are more likely to be allergic to aloe. High doses of oral aloe are dangerous. Long-term use may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Don’t take oral aloe if you have intestinal problems, heart disease, hemorrhoids, kidney problems, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalances.

Interactions. If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using aloe supplements. They could interact with medicines and supplements like diabetes drugs, heart drugs, laxatives, steroids, and licorice root.

Given the lack of evidence about its safety, aloe vera supplements should not be used by children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

So use with caution, check any interaction with any other drugs you are on, including the pill or IUD etc, and all being well on that score then do trial run and see how you feel.

And do likewise for all the foods and drinks you consume regularly.

We all tend to have trigger foods and drinks that cause us problems, so figuring out which, and keeping clear of them is definitely recommended.

I stupidly had icecream last night as the kids were staying over, and they wanted ice cream - OMG the agony about an hour later and it carried on to the wee small hours. I normally avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol everything fizzy or gas inducing anything that I know causes more than normal digestive gas probs in me because they hurt too much. But every now and then I stupidly fall off the wagon and always pay a heavy price in terms of trapped gas pains and bloating. Today the bloat is the problem. My poor jeans are struggling with the increase in girth today from last night's diet lapse.

[Faye_Craig1]

I have heard coconut oil can also help with digestive issues. I have a similar problem but I haven't tried either oil yet x

[Amelia_M]

A low-FODMAP diet works fantastically for me - I have gone from constantly bloated to almost no gas at all. It also fits in nicely with the endo diet because you also have to cut out gluten. When I stray from the diet I use Reuteri tablets which eases the bloating.

[susiebluesy in reply to Amelia_M]

Hi there! Thanks so much for responding! What's the low Fodmap diet?! Also - I'm lactose intolerant so I'm not sure I could take Reuteri tablets? Xx

[Amelia_M]

I'm pretty sure I've seen Reuteri in drops form too, then it should definitely be lactose-free. Not sure if the tablets are lactose-free or not but I'm also usually very sensitive to lactose, however have no effect from Reuteri tabs.

The low-FODMAP diet is fantastic, it was specifically developed for IBS sufferers at a university in Melbourne and cuts out things like short chain carbohydrates, lactose, fructose - basically everything that is poorly absorbed by the small intestine and makes you bloat. There are still loads of foods that you can eat though including lots of veggies and fruit, gluten-free grains, proteins, etc. so in my opinion not nearly as restrictive as e.g. paleo diet. And you can have it prescribed to you by a dietitian as it was scientifically developed and not one of those controversial diets. Google for more info!

[susiebluesy]

Ahh thank you!! I've just googled and ordered a book about it. Sounds amazing

I guess I'll have to give up bread though.... I do love bread!! xx