When working with clients to improve their physical or mental health, I emphasize the importance of mindful dietary choices, guided by the belief that food can either harm or heal. A healthy gut biome is fundamental to overall wellness, influencing many aspects of our physical and emotional well-being. I have written several articles on digestive health topics such as acid reflux, leaky gut syndrome, the gut-mental health connection, and the role of nutrition in maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Common gastrointestinal issues include constipation, diarrhea, leaky gut, chronic nausea, acid reflux, GERD, celiac disease, ulcers and gallstones. However, this article will focus on three other digestive disorders: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn’s and Colitis — exploring their causes, symptoms, and treatment options, both medical and natural.
IBS affects bowel motility without causing structural damage or inflammation. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of these, often accompanied by mucus in the stool.
Triggers may include hormonal changes, stress, and specific foods. Medical treatments can involve pain relievers, anti-spasm medications, laxatives, or anti-diarrheal medications.
Dietary changes are highly recommended, including increasing fibre intake (such as psyllium for constipation). It’s also helpful to eliminate trigger foods like spicy, fatty, or fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, processed foods, dairy, excessive protein, wheat, gluten, alcohol, sugar, carbonated beverages, and high-FODMAP foods (beans, lentils, onions, garlic, apples, cherries, pears, and peaches).
Stress management is also critical, with relaxation techniques like yoga, cognitive behavioural therapy, deep breathing, and meditation offering significant benefits. Additionally, turmeric root, probiotics, herbal teas like peppermint and chamomile, and anti-inflammatory or low-FODMAP diets can further alleviate IBS symptoms. Unlike Crohn’s and Colitis, IBS does not cause chronic inflammation, ulcers, or structural damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the GI tract. While the exact cause is unknown, contributing factors include genetics, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, medication, prior infections, gut bacteria imbalances, smoking, and poor diet. Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition due to impaired nutrient absorption.
Medical treatments may include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune suppressors, antibiotics, and surgery to remove damaged sections of the GI tract. Natural approaches focus on eating an anti-inflammatory diet, probiotics, and stress management, supplemented by vitamin D, zinc, B12, aloe vera, and marshmallow root.
Colitis refers to inflammation of the colon's inner lining, which can be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections (e.g., salmonella or E. coli), overuse of antibiotics, reduced blood flow to the colon, allergies to certain proteins (e.g., lactose, soy or gluten), radiation exposure, genetics, ethnicity, and gut microbiome imbalances.
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, an urgent need to defecate, fatigue, and possible weight loss. Medical treatments often involve anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and surgery.
With a diagnosis, one should avoid trigger foods like dairy, gluten, and processed foods. Natural treatments include consuming an anti-inflammatory diet that includes prebiotics and probiotics, as well as incorporating herbal remedies such as turmeric, vitamin D, Omega 3 and slippery elm. Stress management techniques like yoga, cognitive behavioural therapy, and meditation can also help.
The key distinction among these conditions is in their level of inflammation and potential damage to the digestive tract. IBS symptoms are primarily managed through dietary and lifestyle changes, while Crohn’s and Colitis often require more aggressive medical intervention to control chronic inflammation and prevent complications. If one suspects gut issues, it is important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis while remaining open to natural treatment options, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes as part of a healing protocol.
Chronic poor dietary habits (eating unhealthy addictive foods) can eventually lead to resistance from the body in the form of "dis-ease." Digestive issues are often the first signs, followed by conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Once we get sick we won’t be able to eat what we used to but it is never too late to work on improving our health.
Education is key to maintaining well-being and avoiding these complications. Many health problems can be avoided by eating whole unprocessed food and a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, eating mindfully, managing stress, and understanding the gut-mental health connection.By taking proactive steps, we not only support our digestive health but also reduce the risk of other diet and lifestyle-related diseases.
As unhealthy food addictions usually start in childhood or adolescence, if parents feed children a nutritious diet it not only meets their growing bodies’ needs but can also help prevent life-long addictions to sugar and junk food.
Claire Nielsen is a health coach, author, public speaker and founder of www.elixirforlife.ca. The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional health and medical advice. Please consult a doctor, health-care provider or mental health practitioner if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses and/or treatment.
