IBS Functional Medicine

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a tricky condition that often leaves people suffering from digestive symptoms for years. In this article, we’ll discuss how we approach evaluation and treatment for IBS from a functional medicine standpoint.

What is IBS?

IBS is an intestinal disorder commonly characterized by abdominal discomfort in combination with diarrhea and/or constipation. Up to 16 percent of Americans may suffer from IBS, and this condition is more common in women and young adults (1).

Common symptoms of IBS include:

Diarrhea, constipation, or a combination
Bloating
Abdominal pain
Gas
Difficulty or straining with bowel movements

Unfortunately, individuals with IBS are also more likely to report a lower quality of life and higher depression scores than people without this condition (2).

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Functional Medicine Treatment of IBS

Personalization is one of the biggest differences between conventional and functional medicine.

We help our members form an individualized treatment plan for their IBS. While the treatment obviously differs depending on the overall assessment and findings, let’s discuss a few common interventions for someone with IBS.

Low-FODMAP Diet

A low-FODMAP diet is a short-term elimination diet that helps identify which foods worsen your GI symptoms. Certain foods contain higher levels of FODMAPs that cause your gut bacteria to release excess gas. By eliminating the foods highest in FODMAPs, you may experience less digestive symptoms. Some common foods eliminated on this diet include wheat, dairy (lactose), onions, garlic, and high-fructose corn syrup.

However, unlike the conventional use of this diet, we generally only use the low-FODMAP diet as an initial intervention while also treating the root causes of your symptoms.

You can purchase our Low-FODMAP meal plan in our Root Shop.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Some studies suggest that IBS is caused by dysbiosis—an imbalance of gut bacteria. SIBO is one type of dysbiosis that may be responsible for many IBS symptoms. In fact, one study found that up to 78 percent of IBS patients also tested positive for SIBO (4).

Our supplement protocol* for SIBO often includes:

Microbiome Balance: 1 capsule before breakfast (1 bottle)
Root Digestive Enzymes: 1 with each large meal up to three times a day for 3 months or as desired
Gut Health Rebalance: 1 scoop in water daily taken for about 3 months or as desired

This protocol aims to remove bacterial overgrowth, promote optimal digestion, and repair the gut lining to eliminate SIBO and IBS symptoms.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Gut Health Rebalance

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$75.00

Microbiome Balance

Gently Rebalance Your Gut

$54.00

Digestive Enzymes

Feel your best after eating

$43.00

Probiotics

Probiotics have shown more promise lately in treating individuals with IBS and reducing digestive symptoms (5). This is likely because probiotics modify the gut microbiome and may correct some dysbiosis (a common cause of IBS).

We may recommend a probiotic as step four of our SIBO protocol. Our favorite SIBO probiotic contains three different probiotic strains and a gut-healing ingredient called immunoglobulins. These immunoglobulins are proteins that help the immune system fight off harmful bacteria, pathogens, and parasites within the gut which may also contribute to IBS (6, 7).

Lifestyle Interventions

Stress and poor sleep can worsen IBS symptoms and your overall health, so we discuss lifestyle interventions with all of our clients. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Practice good sleep hygiene by reducing caffeine and alcohol and limiting screen exposure before bed. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, our Sleep Support supplement offers a blend of calming herbs which promote quality sleep without morning drowsiness.

Mind-body interventions, like meditation, are also effective at reducing the impact of stress on your GI tract. For example, people who practice mindfulness medications report lower IBS symptom scores, less perceived stress, and a higher quality of life (3).