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Alternative Therapies for IBS

by Valerie Polley | May 1, 2023 | 0 comments

Alternative Therapies for IBS

IBS is highly individual, and the treatment that works for one person may not work for another. This has led to a growing interest in the use of alternative therapies for IBS.

From herbs for IBS to gut hypnotherapy, there are many alternative therapies available for IBS. But do they actually work? Read on to learn about some of the most popular alternative therapies for IBS and the research behind them.

Herbs for IBS

Herbal remedies have been around for centuries, and there are various foods and herbs for IBS treatment. Here are some of the most common herbs for IBS:

 

Ginger and IBS

Ginger has long been used to treat nausea and vomiting, but does ginger help IBS?

A study done in rats found that ginger treatment significantly reduced the frequency of bowel movements, stool water content, and abdominal withdrawal reflex (an indicator of abdominal pain). They also found that ginger treatment reduced inflammation in the gut. However, since this study was done in rats, it cannot necessarily be applied to humans.

A double-blind, randomized, controlled pilot study of 45 people with IBS found that a ginger supplement was well tolerated but did not perform better than the placebo. Since this is the first human study examining the relationship between ginger and IBS, a larger study is needed before we can definitively say whether ginger can help relieve IBS symptoms.

 

Iberogast

Iberogast is a herbal supplement that contains extracts of nine different herbs. It has been used for over 50 years to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 208 people with IBS found that taking Iberogast was associated with reduced abdominal pain scores and lower IBS symptom scores after four weeks.

If you’re struggling with IBS and other treatments haven’t worked for you, it’s worth giving Iberogast a try, as it’s an evidence-based alternative therapy for IBS.

 

Peppermint Oil and IBS

Peppermint oil is another herbal remedy that has long been used to treat digestive concerns.

A meta-analysis that combined the results of 12 randomized trials with a total of 835 patients found that peppermint oil was a safe and effective therapy for pain and symptom management in adults with IBS. It’s thought that peppermint oil relieves symptoms by relaxing the muscles in the bowel, which can relieve stomach cramps, bloating, and gas.

A word of warning – if you struggle with heartburn, be sure to buy enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules. That way, the peppermint oil won’t be released until it reaches your intestines, which will reduce the risk of it making your heartburn worse.

 

Acupuncture for IBS

Traditional Chinese medicine describes acupuncture as a technique that balances the flow of energy through the body. It involves inserting very thin needles at specific points along pathways in your body. It is increasingly being used to treat various ailments, including IBS.

A meta-analysis published in 2019 combined the results of eight randomized controlled trials to see whether acupuncture was an effective treatment for IBS. They found that compared to sham acupuncture (i.e., needles that were not actually inserted into the skin), there was not a significant difference in IBS symptoms.

However, they also found that acupuncture was more effective compared to Western medicine for improving IBS symptoms. While more studies need to be done, this meta-analysis shows that acupuncture could be effective for treating IBS symptoms if used alongside Western medicine.

 

Mind-Body Therapies for IBS

More and more evidence shows that IBS is caused by a miscommunication between the gut and the brain. Therefore, treatments that aim to address this miscommunication are emerging as potential treatments for IBS. Yoga for IBS and gut hypnotherapy are two such treatments.

 

Yoga for IBS

Yoga is an ancient practice that involves movement, meditation and breathing techniques to connect the mind, body, and spirit. It is increasingly being used as a treatment for IBS.

A systematic review published in 2016 analyzed the results of six randomized controlled trials with a total of 273 patients to see whether yoga was an effective treatment for IBS. They found that compared to conventional treatment, people who practiced yoga had significantly reduced bowel symptoms. There were also significant improvements in quality of life and physical functioning after yoga compared with no treatment. Two of the trials analyzed also found that no adverse events occurred in the yoga groups. However, the quality of the studies analyzed was low, making it difficult to make recommendations about yoga as a treatment for IBS.

Overall, it’s likely that yoga could be effective for treating IBS if used alongside conventional treatments. It relieves stress, which can be a big trigger for IBS. In addition, certain yoga poses could help relieve IBS symptoms like gas.

Yoga poses for IBS:

  • Downward-Facing Dog
  • Cobra
  • Half-Seated Spinal Twist
  • Reclining Abdominal Twist
  • Happy Baby Pose

As you move through the yoga poses for IBS, pay attention to your breathing. Try to breathe slowly and deeply to help relax your body.

 

Gut Hypnotherapy

Gut hypnotherapy is an emerging treatment that has been shown to effectively treat IBS. It involves a trained clinician providing education about the digestive system, guiding you into a hypnotic state, and the use of individually tailored images that have been designed to normalize gut function.

A study published in 2012 found that in patients for whom other IBS treatments had failed, gut hypnotherapy was effective for relieving IBS-related symptoms. The results seen at three months after the treatment (12 sessions for one hour per week) were sustained up to one year after treatment.

Gut hypnotherapy can be done by a trained therapist or by using an app. One of the most popular gut hypnotherapy apps is called Nerva. The app helps you address the miscommunication between your gut and brain in as little as 15 minutes per day for six weeks.

A recent study published in 2023 found that although adherence to an app-based gut hypnotherapy program was quite low, for those who completed the program, they saw significant improvements in their IBS symptoms. This means that if you’re able to stick with it, gut hypnotherapy delivered by an app could be an effective treatment for your IBS.

 

Final Thoughts

IBS is highly individual, so treatment that is effective for one person may not work for another. There is increasing evidence that alternative therapies can be used to effectively treat IBS. These therapies include herbs for IBS, gut hypnotherapy, and yoga for IBS.

If you’re struggling with IBS and need help navigating the treatment options available, a registered dietitian can help. At Blue Tree Nutrition, we’ve worked with many people struggling to find relief from their IBS. Click here to get in touch and book an appointment today.

 

 

 

With summer here, many people are getting excited about upcoming vacations. But for people with digestive issues, symptoms like constipation and bloating are often unwelcome travel companions. Traveling disrupts our body's natural rhythms and daily habits, which can lead to digestive chaos.

This article will help you understand how sudden changes in hydration, diet, and airplane cabin pressure impact the gut, as well as provide practical, evidence-based tips for keeping your gut happy on the road.

The Perfect Storm for Constipation: Fluid and Fiber Drops

One of the biggest contributors to digestive issues like constipation when you're traveling is a change in your normal hydration and fiber intake patterns. Here's how each affects your gut.

Inconsistent Hydration

Disrupted routines often lead to forgetting to drink water. Plus, strict airport security rules mean you can't carry a full water bottle through security checkpoints. Travelers often intentionally avoid drinking to skip using tiny airplane toilets or unfamiliar public restrooms. Finally, plane cabins are incredibly dry, which can quickly lead to dehydration.

The result: When the body is dehydrated, the colon absorbs more water from food waste, leading to hard, dry, and difficult-to-pass stools.

Reduced Fiber Intake

Most people in the United States don't get enough fiber at the best of times, and traveling only makes this worse. Convenience foods at airports, gas stations, and roadside stops are typically highly processed, high in sodium, and low in fiber. Experiencing local cuisines often means prioritizing rich restaurant meals over fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Not getting enough fiber quickly contributes to constipation because fiber is essential for adding bulk to stool and keeps things moving through the digestive tract. A sudden drop in fiber stalls peristalsis (the wave-like muscle contractions in the gut), leading to less frequent bowel movements. 

The Combined Effect

The simultaneous drop in both fluid and fiber creates a "logjam" effect in the intestines. Not having enough fluid and fiber slows the movement of waste through your gut. This leads to more water being absorbed from the stool, resulting in hard, difficult-to-pass stool. The traffic jam effect makes acute constipation one of the most common (yet preventable) gut-related travel complaints.

Cabin Pressure and Bloating

Have you ever noticed that you get more bloated during air travel than other forms of travel? No, you're not imagining things. This is due to a law of physics called Boyle's Law. Simply put, this law of physics states that as atmospheric pressure decreases, the volume of a gas naturally increases.

Here's how that works with your gut and air travel. Airplane cabins are pressurized to simulate an altitude of around 6,000 to 8,000 feet. Because of this shift, the gas that's already present in your gut expands during flight. This rapid gas expansion stretches your intestinal walls, leading to pain, cramping, and bloating often referred to as "airplane belly."

Additionally, several common travel habits can aggravate this trapped gas. Drinking carbonated beverages before or during the flight, chewing gum (which leads to swallowing excess air), and remaining stationary for hours on end all trap and intensify the expanding gas.

Tips for a Happy Travel Gut

Fortunately, a few small tweaks to your travel routine can make a huge difference in whether you end up constipated and bloated while traveling.

Pre-Flight and In-Transit Tactics

  • Hydrate on the go: Bring an empty, reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it once you reach the departure lounge (most airports now have water bottle filling stations). Aim for consistent sipping throughout your journey to keep hydrated.
  • Be mindful of foods that can worsen bloating: Avoid fizzy drinks, heavy or fried foods, and gas-producing foods like beans, broccoli, and cabbage, for at least 24 hours before your flight. This can reduce the amount of gas present in your gut, which can reduce the bloating associated with a drop in cabin pressure.
  • Pack smart snacks: Since airport snacks are typically high in sodium and low in fiber, bringing your own high-fiber, travel-friendly snacks can help boost your fiber intake. Consider packing dried chickpeas, almonds, dried fruit, or on-the-go fiber supplements to bridge the gap.

On-Arrival Habits

  • Prioritize fiber: While there's nothing wrong with enjoying the local cuisine wherever you're traveling, try to prioritize fiber at your destination whenever possible. I recommend starting your day with a high-fiber breakfast, such as oatmeal with fruit, nuts, and seeds.
  • Get moving: Try to avoid being sedentary on arrival. Going for a leisurely walk helps stimulate intestinal motility and releases trapped gas (there's a reason a short walk after meals is commonly called a "fart walk"!).
  • Keep a regular sleep schedule: Vacation can throw a serious wrench into your routine, but wherever possible, try to maintain it. Gut issues can be worsened by poor sleep, so sticking to your routine can help support gut comfort on vacation.

Final Thoughts

Travel naturally changes our dietary habits and challenges our digestive system through abrupt changes in cabin pressure, but digestive discomfort doesn't need to ruin your vacation. By being mindful of your fluid and fiber intake, staying active, and making strategic changes in pre-flight eating habits to minimize the effects of cabin pressure changes, you can keep your digestion on track and enjoy every minute of your vacation.

If you're worried about an upcoming trip and need personalized strategies for managing your digestion on vacation, I'd love to help. You can get in touch with me at Blue Tree Nutrition to book your appointment with a registered dietitian.

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Hello, I am

Valerie

My name is Valerie Polley. I am a Indianapolis-based registered dietitian and owner of Blue Tree Nutrition. I consult with clients both local and far away.
I have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Purdue University and I have been practicing for 20 years.
I thoroughly enjoy helping clients through their gut health journey. I see a range of GI issues including, but not limited to celiac disease, IBS and SIBO. I also specialize in the FODMAP elimination diet.

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