Diet and IBS

[fireflybabs123]

Does anyone take any probiotics to help their IBS? What have your results been like.

Does anyone follow a diet, specifically for there IBS?

Does an increase in exercise actually help IBS?

It would be great to hear you thoughts\ stories.

[JustmeJKT]

I take raw kefir (liquid form) and I can tell if I've missed more than two days in a row. My doctor said if I have a bad bout to up the kefir to twice a day. If you look into probiotics in capsule form, be sure to read the label for "LIVE cultures." Anything that says "...at manufacture" most likely the biotics aren't alive anymore. Basically get one that's stored in the fridge.

Check the FODMAP diet. It's gaining tremendous ground lately.

Exercise in moderation...some say exercise can be a trigger. Perhaps ask your doctor and truly follow your gut.

[fireflybabs123 in reply to JustmeJKT]

Thank you! Its the guidance i was looking for, i shall have a look at raw kefir and FODMAP

[ivesy in reply to fireflybabs123]

I have just started in the probiotic symprove. Been on it about 10 days now. So far results have been mixed but I'm going to give it a month. Fed up with feeling crap all the time.

[Kariss]

Probiotics didn't really work for me - there was no change with some and worse toilet issues with others, but I try and follow a healthy balenced diet with fresh food, plenty of veg and whole grains anyway whilst leaving out the stuff I know upsets me. However I do find that if I've had a bad tummy upset it helps to add acidiphilus for a week or two to settle it and get it back on track. I've also tried stuff like aloe vera but found this too strong, producing cramps. The only way I guess is to try them and see as everyone is different. Too heavy or fast exercise also triggers IBS for me in the form of cramps and bloating, but gentle stuff like walking, cycling, gardening is ok. Strangely clothes which put pressure across my abdomen or rib cage also set off my IBS and have done since I was a child eg I can't wear under wired bras (I'm female!) Good job I'm not a fashionista!

[Hidden]

When I was 39 (am now 57) I joined a gym and religiously went to the gym 3 times a week. Two of those days were after work and I spent just over an hour exercising and the other day was a weekend in which I exercised for 2 hours. I used to go on the cross trainer for 30 to 45 minutes, do some weights, lunges and sit ups and have to say I was the fittest I have ever been and my IBS was non existent. Unfortunately I don't have the time now to spend that time at the gym but do cycle to work if it's not raining (I wear glasses and they are a pain when it's raining as I can't see) and if it is raining then I powerwalk (I don't do either if it's very heavy rain).

Therefore, I do think that exercise does work but my IBS has been worse this year and I am sure that it stress through work so am now going to try an exclusion diet.

Best of luck to you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh and meant to say that I take Multibionta by Seven Seas every day and I swear by them as although I still suffer with IBS it's never been as bad as it was around 10 years ago or so since I have been taking these. I read an article years ago about a man who had IBS and started taking these multivitamins. There was another article about which are the best multivitamins and these and one other brand were the best ones (I can't remember the other brand).

[Crowdie]

I tried VSL3 and was really hopeful about it as had read good things although it caused terrible wind pain and discomfort. Couldn't face it again after the 1st sachet.

[ConJ]

I have recently done a three-month course of Symprove - I felt quite a lot better after about 9 weeks, but it does take a while to work. I then went onto a half 'maintenance dose' and after about 8 weeks was almost back to square one! So I am back on a full dose and hoping I improve again - only thing is, it's expensive!