I used to be first identified with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) throughout a research overseas journey to Costa Rica in 2011. After just a few days there — consuming easy meals like rooster, rice, beans, fruits, and greens — I obtained tremendous sick, having diarrhea after each meal, together with horrible gasoline and bloating. It wasn’t precisely enjoyable to take care of in-between mountaineering rainforests and zip-lining by way of the mountains. So I went to an area physician, and he informed me I had IBS, a disorder that affects the large intestine and may result in frequent cramping, belly ache, bloating, gasoline, and diarrhea or constipation. He gave me probiotics and Alka-Seltzer tablets, which made the remainder of the journey rather more manageable.
Since then, I’ve realized much more about my situation. IBS is definitely fairly widespread, affecting an estimated 10 to 15 percent of adults in the US — and although it is not attributable to nervousness, stress and anxiety can exacerbate the symptoms. I have been working for 10 years now to search out methods to raised handle my signs. My most up-to-date discover: digestive enzymes. After simply two weeks of taking a digestive enzyme complement, I observed a drastic enchancment in my bloating and abdomen ache.
The complement I purchased, OLLY Beat the Bloat capsules ($18), comprises a blend of digestive enzymes, together with dandelion extract, fennel extract, and ginger extract. The advantages touted on the bottle drew me in. The corporate claimed that the complement may assist relieve gasoline and upset abdomen, and since dandelion is historically used to ease fluid retention, it will assist my abdomen really feel much less bloated, too. I figured it could not harm — I used to be already experiencing uncomfortable bloating, gasoline ache, and digestive issues virtually each day, relying on what I ate. All the things from an excessive amount of fiber to dairy, quick meals, and sure spices despatched my abdomen right into a tailspin regardless of my every day routine of probiotics, multivitamins and the occasional antacid.
I did not discover any rapid modifications with the complement — however finally, the dearth of signs turned apparent. I used to be in a position to eat with out that telltale clenching of my abdomen that often causes me to run to the lavatory. I ate quick meals at a Mexican restaurant, which might usually depart me feeling tremendous bloated and uncomfortable for the remainder of the night time, and I felt . . . tremendous. It is laborious to clarify in case you’ve by no means had abdomen points, however having my abdomen really feel calm, relaxed, and joyful is so uncommon for me that my temper drastically improved as effectively. It wasn’t nearly my denims feeling looser; it was about not feeling nauseous and sick and with the ability to take pleasure in my day much more.
Curious to know whether or not the advantages had been legit or just a placebo impact, I reached out to a gastroenterologist to study extra concerning the science behind this seemingly magic capsule.
Can Digestive Enzymes Actually Ease Signs of IBS?
“Digestive enzymes are proteins which are naturally made by your physique that help in breaking down meals like proteins, fat, and carbohydrates into usable vitamins to allow them to be absorbed into the bloodstream and all through the day,” Niket Sonpal, MD, a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist in New York Metropolis, and school member on the Touro School of Drugs, informed POPSUGAR. Requested concerning the sudden modifications in my signs, Dr. Sonpal defined: “Your physique might be missing the mandatory digestive enzymes to interrupt down meals. Due to this fact, the complement assists with the breakdown of meals, which relieves signs of IBS and promotes wholesome digestion.”
After all, digestive enzymes aren’t the one answer for IBS victims — and many individuals, myself included, might want to strive just a few completely different treatments to search out reduction. These might embrace eliminating set off meals, managing stress, exercising recurrently, and extra. Your physician might help decide a remedy plan based mostly in your particular signs. In excessive instances, “your physician can prescribe antispasmodic medicine, like Levsin and Bentyl, that may cease muscle spasms by enjoyable the graceful muscle of the intestine,” Dr. Sonpal stated. “In case you are experiencing constipation, your physician might suggest laxatives resembling polyethylene. Consuming fiber-rich meals or taking over-the-counter fiber dietary supplements might assist ease diarrhea or constipation. IBS is completely different for everybody, and it’s worthwhile to discover what works for you.”
For me, lowering my consumption of set off meals, limiting quick meals, and taking probiotics and digestive enzymes has helped successfully handle my IBS — and never having as many abdomen issues has additionally helped ease my anxiety, once more decreasing the possibilities of an IBS flare. Science is fairly cool, proper?
When you have IBS, you’ll have to experiment with completely different meals and discuss to your physician about beneficial dietary supplements or drugs to assist handle your signs. As for me, I’ll maintain doing what I have been doing — and possibly e book a 10-year anniversary journey to Costa Rica to actually put this complement to the take a look at. (Within the identify of analysis, clearly!)