Soothing Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other digestive conditions

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IBS Relief

Soothing Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other digestive conditions.

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With about one in five UK adults suffering from Irritable Bowel

Syndrome

(IBS), this condition is becoming commonplace. It trips off the

tongue in

general conversation. Some think IBS is now `usual' - the legacy of

combining fast-paced lifestyles with rich food and reduced exercise.

They

maybe right. But that doesn't mean we have to tolerate it.

We each eat about half a ton of food per year. In fact, thanks to

our rich

pickings, one in four operations in the UK are now on some part of

the

digestive tract. Current research shows that the prevalence of food

hypersensitivities in the general population is estimated at about 5

per cent,

and up to 65 per cent of IBS patients attribute their symptoms to

food

allergies.

Researchers have found that IBS patients have elevated antibodies to

common foods such as wheat, beef, pork, lamb, and soya bean. These

findings, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology,

suggest

that food hypersensitivities play a role in IBS and the observations

made

are consistent for three subgroups of IBS tested - diarrhoea,

constipation

and both. " With this simple test, we have scientifically shown that

these

symptoms may be due to the body's response to what we eat in our

daily

diet. It opens up a new avenue for the management for this large and

complex group of patients, " said Dr. Devinder Kumar of St. 's

Hospital in London. Since this study has been conducted, the

researchers

have now performed a diet exclusion study based on the findings of

the

food hypersensitivity test and " preliminary results are very

encouraging. "

Whether simply digestive discomfort caused by holiday tummy,

constipation, diarrhoea or indigestion, or more serious digestive

problems

such as irritable bowel syndrome, we have all suffered at some

point. What

is less commonly acknowledged, however, is that poor digestive

health is

also the root cause of many of our most frequently suffered

allergies,

which is just another of the many reasons reason why taking a little

time to

care for our gut will boost general health and well-being.

Deaths from digestive illness - including colon cancer, liver

disease,

pancreatitis and diverticular disease - now account for 12 per cent

of all

UK deaths and one in eight of all admissions to general hospitals in

the UK

are connected with the digestive tract. 18th July 2005 marks the

start of

Gut Week, organised by CORE, the Digestive Disorders Foundation, to

raise awareness of the gastro-intestinal problems suffered by

millions of

Britons every year, and the importance of maintaining good digestive

health.

It seems we are finally waking up to the benefits of natural

remedies for gut

health - 41 per cent of us are looking at alternative remedies to

treat

digestive disorders. The good news is that some herbal remedies,

produced by reputable companies, are now proving in clinical trials

to be

at least as effective as their pharmacological counterparts in

treating

digestive ills. There are several extremely effective all-natural

maintenance

products, which care for our tummies.

Colostrum

At gutdoctor they concentrate on healing the gut and intestine,

reversing

the condition and maintaining this improvement long term. Their

products

are all natural so they support the body's own abilities and

defences. They

help conditions without sparking off other intolerances or addictive

patterns. A number of our products can help treat and prevent IBS

symptoms depending on which are presenting themselves. These two are

particularly effective and actively work to repair, regenerate and

rejuvenate

the intestinal and digestive tracts. Immunecare Colostrum is

probably the

best and most complete single nutritional supplement for the gut. It

has 37

immune factors that help the gut fight infections. Most notably, it

actually

repairs damage to the gut wall and helps it to regenerate thus

treating the

cause rather than simply easing the symptom. It is particularly good

at

treating Leaky Gut syndrome - which often leads to IBS. Immunecare

Colostrum also contains Lactoferrin, a powerful new `super

supplement'

that is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.

Personal advice is

available free at gutdoctor.co.uk on 0870 774 7008.

Silica

When food and drink trigger or aggravate IBS systems, Silicol Gel

known

as the `stomach protector' in Germany, could help. This natural

supplement contains silica in a colloidal solution, which makes it

highly

dispersible. Silicol Gel has both absorbent and adsorbent

properties,

meaning it can coat and protect the lining of the digestive tract as

well as

binding and absorbing toxins, bacteria and irritants from food,

which are

then safely and naturally removed. Silica is found in high

concentration in

plants such as oats, barley and millet, foods which are not typical

of the

modern diet. Silicol Gel is 100 per cent natural, formulated from

water and

silica therefore ideal as a daily supplement or to have on hand when

indigestion strikes.

A randomised placebo controlled double blind study of Silicol Gel in

the

treatment of non-ulcerative-dyspepsia (irritable bowel syndrome) was

carried out in January 1996 in Norway. The trial was conducted as a

six-week multi-crossover study with a total of 30 patients included.

Treatment sequences showed a significant reduction in the wide range

of

symptoms experienced such as heartburn, regurgitation, nausea,

abdominal

pain and discomfort. The frequency of both heartburn and

regurgitation

were also significantly reduced. The tolerability of the product was

excellent and no patients reported any side effects when taking

Silicol Gel.

Silicol Gel is available from Holland & Barrett, health food stores

and

independent pharmacies. For further information, please visit

www.silicol.com.

Oxygen

The process of digestion allows the body to get the nutrients and

energy it

needs from the food we eat. From the moment food enters our mouths

digestive enzymes are released from the salivary glands, stomach and

small

intestine to begin breaking it down, helping to speed up the

digestive

process. Many people are lacking enzymes because of inadequate

diets,

over-refined foods, environmental toxins, and poor health, a

deficiency

which can lead to digestive health problems and to a whole host of

health

conditions including constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, IBS and

coeliac

disease. Cellfood Concentrate is a highly concentrated oxygen

mineral

supplement containing 34 enzymes, and 78 trace minerals, which help

our

bodies to get back on track. In addition it provides the cells in

the body

with more pure oxygen, creating the optimum environment for

absorption

of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, ensuring we take all we need

from the

food we eat. Cellfood concentrate comes in a handy bottle that fits

into a

pocket or bag for go-anywhere convenience. It is available by mail

order

on 0870 240 8272 or online at www.heavenearth.co.uk.

Turmeric

For sufferers of IBS herbal remedies can offer a glimmer of hope.

Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary

Medicine has shown that a daily dose of a standardised turmeric

extract

supplement, Cynara Turmeric, can actually relieve the symptoms of

IBS,

with 66 per cent of the study group reporting a definite or some

improvement in their overall symptoms. Cynara herbal remedies are

available without prescription from pharmacies nationwide. However,

if

you have any questions about Cynara herbal remedies, or would like

to

find your nearest stockist, you can call freephone 0800 652 7150 or

visit

www.lichtwer.co.uk.

Artichoke

For the 40 per cent of the population who are thought to suffer from

indigestion, for example, Cynara Artichoke can help. One of the best

scientifically studied medicinal plants, artichoke leaf extract

(ALE) has

been proven to be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of

indigestions

(dyspepsia3), aiding the function of both the liver and gall bladder

in fat

digestion and alcohol metabolism. In one study published in the

International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology Artichoke

was found to promote bile production in the liver by 127 per cent in

just 30

minutes - good news for those who indulge in rich and fatty diets.

Milk Thistle

Cynara Milk Thistle is also renowned for its liver boosting

properties,

since it has been found to promote regeneration of healthy new liver

cells

which replace old and damaged ones. A powerful antioxidant, it

supports

the liver by preventing the depletion of glutathione, an amino acid-

like

compound that is essential in aiding the body's ability to destroy

toxins

such as alcohol. It is this detoxification action, which helps to

quell

feelings of nausea, and indigestion that can follow after eating

rich foods.

In fact, so powerful are its therapeutic effects that the Journal of

Hepatology reported that milk thistle could even help improve the

life

expectancy of people with cirrhosis of the liver. Among those who

took

140mg a day there were 31 per cent fewer fatalities from the disease.

Cinnamon & Herbs

Candida albicans, the most common species of the candida yeast that

is

naturally present in the gut, is responsible for a number of baceria-

related

digestive complaints when it becomes over-grown. Among the

conditions

that an excess growth of candida (candidiasis) is thought to

contribute to

are digestive disorders such as IBS, bloating, diarrhoea, flatulence

and

constipation. Scandinavian health supplement company New Nordic

Pharmabrands has developed Dida to offer an effective, natural

supplement that can help to promote a healthy balance of candida

albicans

in the intestine and may therefore help to relieve and protect

against these

common gut disorders. Dida, Europe's no.1 anti-candida supplement,

is a

cinnamon and herb complex that works to aid the maintenance of a

healthy

balance of micro-flora in the gut. In particular, it helps to keep

candida

albicans in check.

This popular, natural formula is based on the beneficial properties

of

cinnamon oil, a proven anti-fungal herb, with anti-diarrhoeal and

carminative properties. Cinnamon oil is combined with other selected

plant

and herb extracts that offer anti-fungal, anti-septic and

carminative

properties. In addition to assisting in the protection of the gut

against

candida-related digestive complaints, Dida may also relieve and

prevent

recurring attacks of thrush, fatigue, irritability and head aches.

New

Nordic's Dida supplement contains ingredients which have been

specially

chosen for their combined ability to balance an overgrowth of

fungus,

including well-known fungicidal herbs oregano, thyme, cloves,

cardamom

and garlic, marigold which may help to reduce inflammation in mucous

membranes, fennel which may reduce candida albicans in the gut and

functions as a mild laxative, helping to cleanse the system, and

peppermint

oil which helps to reduce flatulence. Dida is available at Holland &

Barrett,

Superdrug, selected Waitrose and Tesco stores, and independent

health

stores.

Digestive health information and celebrity recipes.

www.gutweek.org.uk