I’ve been writing recently about herbs which can help with stress and insomnia when we are preparing our health for the craziness of the leadup to Christmas. Unfortunately, another area of our health which often is affected at this time of the year is our gut health. So once again, let’s not wait until the symptoms appear, let’s be prepared.

I’m sure we’ve all heard of the benefits of turmeric when it comes to pain and inflammation. Generally, when we think of pain and inflammation, we think of arthritis however our bodies suffer from inflammation for many reasons.

It’s believed inflammation plays a quite significant role in causing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a digestive disorder, the symptoms of which can be abdominal tenderness and pain, bloating and wind and often alternating constipation and diarrhea. This inflammatory action of the bowel can often be caused by food intolerances and even stress.

A study carried out by the University of Reading found turmeric may be helpful in assisting with abdominal pain and flatulence. This 8-week study involved 207 IBS sufferers, with one group taking 1 tablet daily and the other taking 2 tablets a day. Those taking 1 tablet a day found a 53% reduction in their IBS symptoms, whilst those taking 2 tablets daily experienced a 60% reduction in symptoms (1).

Interestingly, ginger is also a member of the turmeric family and is another herb that is often used for digestive problems, nausea, travel sickness and vomiting. It is also believed to be beneficial for the treatment of IBS symptoms. The antispasmodic effect of ginger on the intestines has been found to be helpful by relaxing the intestines when we’re suffering an IBS attack.

It is also thought probiotics can be helpful in improving symptoms of IBS. Certain probiotic strains such as lactobacillus plantarum may help relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating. However, as I have mentioned previously, it is more beneficial to take a combination of several strains of probiotics to get the best results.

Bearing all this in mind, if you suffer from IBS a combination of bio-fermented Turmeric containing Turmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper and probiotics may well be a good option for helping IBS. When suffering from IBS our digestion can quite often be challenged. As we now know, fermenting ensures far better absorption and therefore may be more effective in treating IBS. With the overindulgence of the festive season, IBS can quite often be exacerbated and a formula such as this may be helpful.

Several years ago, when I first wrote about bio-fermented turmeric, we had many customers returning to tell us about the great results they had gained for IBS after taking bio-fermented turmeric. One customer in particular stood out. She had suffered from IBS and Diverticulitis for 25 years. She found that 24 hours after taking bio-fermented turmeric her symptoms had subsided. She was no longer going to the toilet constantly.

When suffering from IBS we find it can also be very helpful to exclude certain foods from the diet including wheat and dairy. We often suggest undertaking a Low Reactive Diet for a period of time to rest the gut from those foods which may be aggravating it. To help customers follow this diet we have printed a booklet with not only a list of foods to avoid, but just as importantly, a list of foods which can replace those foods you need to avoid. This booklet also contains recipes which can be very helpful.

For more information call down to chat to Bev and the girls at Go Vita your health shop at 5 North St, Batemans Bay or call on 0244729737. Don’t forget to tune into Bev on 2EC every Wednesday at 12.45pm.

Reference:

• Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Booth J. Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1015-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2004.10.1015. PMID: 15673996.