Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). The most common symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramping.

IBS is a common condition affecting 20-40 year olds and is predominately found in women. There is no test available to diagnose IBS but the diagnosis is usually made by ruling out other serious diseases. When presenting with digestive issues and “all tests are normal”, IBS is determined to be the culprit.
 
A thermography screening of the abdominal area is an option that offers “visualization” of the affected area and may aid in diagnosis of IBS and its treatment. Thermography detects early inflammation and can lead to the identification of many negative health conditions associated with IBS and other digestive diseases.
 
Although the cause is unknown, diet, nutrition, and stress reduction can play a major role in treating the symptoms. Determining food sensitivities and allergies can help in clarifying specific symptom triggers.
 
Since 90% of our immune system is thought to be in the gut, a healthy digestive tract will not only boost digestive health but will inevitably lead to whole body wellness.

Hippocrates, considered the father of western medicine, was quoted as saying that “all disease begins in the gut”. That was 2000 years ago! Today, with the promotion of probiotics and products enriched with them, it seems that his words have finally been taken to heart. So how does our digestive health play such an important role in supporting and maintaining a healthy body? And….what do probiotics have to do with it?

It’s well known that symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea are all associated with digestive malfunction. What is less known is that fatigue, skin disorders, hormone imbalances, auto-immune disease, diabetes, candida, and inflammation, etc. are also signs of unhealthy digestion.

In order to keep the body running efficiently, the gut is responsible for keeping helpful compounds and ridding itself of harmful ones.  In addition to containing 70-80% of our immune cells, the gut contains 100 trillion bacteria (flora). These bacteria can be divided into “good” and “bad” or “friendly” and “unfriendly” and can have a positive or negative effect on the body.

We need both types of bacteria, in the correct amounts, for our bodies to function as it is meant to. Friendly bacteria aid in breaking down the foods we eat so that the healthy nutrients can get into the blood stream, benefitting the whole body. It’s the overgrowth of the less beneficial bacteria that causes digestive issues and inflammation.

One common thing that causes the destruction of healthy bacteria is antibiotics. It not only destroys the harmful bacteria causing illness, but also kills the healthy, beneficial gut flora. Increasing good gut bacteria following a round of antibiotics is especially important. The less beneficial bacteria will also proliferate with a diet high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods.

Increasing the amount of probiotics in the diet, through fermented foods and/or supplements, is a great way to boost the number of “friendly” bacteria in the gut. A “happy” gut leads to improved health and vitality.