Hello,

I have been suffering from IBS C for a while now, without much relief. I have already tried the low fodmap diet (other than causing me to lose a lot of weight it had no effect). I already eat Sourkraut and Kefir regularly, but I was just wondering whether anyone knows of an effective shop brought probiotic that is good for IBS C? I’m in the UK if that is any help.

Thanks

Hi Haleyann

I have no experience of it but I came across Symprove, it appears quite pricey but it seems to have good reviews and some reputable backing.

Hope that helps

Hi recoveringfatty,

Thanks for your reply. I probably should have mentioned in my intro that I am nearly finished with the three month course of Symprove, but it hasn’t really helped. I know that it is one of the better probiotics out there but maybe it just doesn’t contain the right strains for me. Is there anything else that anyone can recommend? Also, has anyone had their microbiome tested and did it help at all?

A bit more background, I have had all of the usual tests done (endoscopy, scans etc.) and everything came back normal so my problems aren’t caused by any tangible health problems.

Any advice you can give would be great!

Hi Haleyann
How about Prebiotics? You have it covered but I wondered if your fibre intake is sufficient? those good bacteria in the Probiotics need something to feed them. Maybe Bimuno or similar would be worth trying? I’ve seen reviews stating some people with IBS have had some success with it.

I think in general my fibre intake is pretty good (lack of fibre in my diet would have been the first thing that doctors would have picked up on before putting me on low fodmap). I have to admit though, I haven’t really looked much into prebiotics beyond the section mentioning them in the Clever Guts book. I’ll have a look into Bimuno, and let you know if I have any success.

Thanks for your help!

Have you been completing a detailed daily food and symptom diary (p.187)? Are you physically active on a daily basis? Did you need to lose weight for your health when you began the low FODMAP plan?

The ‘Clever Guts Diet’ is a properly balanced and very varied, anti-inflammatory wholefood diet. Ideally we would get a variety of different fibres and other prebiotics from just such a diet. Supplements are just that: add-ons. They may be ineffective or partially effective if the underlying diet is off.

Doctors are not specialists in lifestyle healthcare, but rather medical specialists (diagnostics, prescription medication, surgical treatments). Most do not know enough about dietetics and nutrition to analyse the balance, variety and composition of their patients’ diets.

HTH!

Hi Firefox7275 thanks for the response.
I have kept various food diaries since this problem began 18 months ago, and they did help me identify a couple of problem foods such as oats and apples but despite eliminating these the problem still persists. I try to be active on a daily basis but it is pretty difficult on days when the pain is bad. For the record I was a lot more active before these problems started (I ran every day and I went fencing once a week) so I don’t think inactivity is a factor in why this has happened to me.

I was actually slightly underweight when I started the Low Fodmap diet so losing more weight was hardly ideal.

Yes you are certainly right about GPs not knowing much about dietetics and nutrition. I should probably have mentioned that I was referred to a dietitian who recommended the Low Fodmap Diet. Before putting me on that I had to provide a food diary so she could check that the problem wasn’t just a general lack of fibre in my diet (afte rall this would probably have been the easiest way to solve my problem).

While I take your point about supplements just being add ons, I am a bit desperate and willing to try anything. As far as I can see I am doing everything right in terms of diet and exercise so I don’t know what else to do.

Analysing the detailed daily food and symptom diary is much more than identifying triggers, important as that is. Nor just amount of fibre, important as that is. Every food group, within the food groups. For example Dr Michael Mosley advises
“At least seven portions a day of veg and fruit, made up mainly of veg … Variety is important for gut health, so try to eat 20 to 30 different varieties a week.” (p.191)

From my last post “… properly balanced and very varied, anti-inflammatory wholefood diet. Ideally we would get a variety of different fibres and other prebiotics from just such a diet ….. They may be ineffective or partially effective if the underlying diet is off. …. dietetics and nutrition to analyse the balance, variety and composition of their patients’ diets.”

Physical activity and formal exercise overlap but are NOT synonymous. Being physically active when you are in discomfort or pain is absolutely a challenge. Swimming, aqua aerobics, slow walking, stretching, tai chi, hot yoga, gentle gardening, gentle dance, routines intended for the elderly even though you are not!

Any amount, any pace/ intensity, different temperatures, just moving as gently as you need to, little and regularly all day. The human body evolved to move: research shows it is essential for health completely independent of fitness.

HTH!

Hi Haleyann,

I know this has been a little bit of time now but just wanted to recommend Bioptimizers. They have a range of products which help encourage good gut health. I have been taking specifically masszymes and P3-OM and they have fixed my problems.

Hope this helps.

Hi George S

Thanks for the tip. I haven’t tried digestive enzymes yet so I’ll definitely give it a go.

Hi Firefox7275,

Apologies, I have only just seen your reply. Do you mean I should keep a food diary to be sure that I am getting the right amount of each food group?

Thanks for the tip about being physically active. I have started to take up yoga and powerwalking as I can’t face running anymore.