Approximately 10-15% of people in the United States suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yet only 5-7% receive a diagnosis, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is chronic and difficult to control. Symptoms may include abdominal pain or discomfort as well as altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both).
IBS can be incredibly disruptive to a patient’s quality of life, causing them to miss work, school, and social activities on a regular basis. Patients who have IBS are reported to make more visits to the doctor’s office for diagnostic tests, are prescribed more medications, and are hospitalized more often than someone without a gastrointestinal diagnosis.
Traditionally, IBS patients have focused on lifestyle, diet, and stress reduction as a means of treatment, with varying success. There is no cure for IBS. New therapies in the form of bioavailable nutraceuticals, however, offer realistic hope for IBS sufferers.
One of the critical goals of Alternative Medicine Review is to advocate for these scientifically-founded natural and preventive solutions.
To get to the bottom of what differentiates good curcumin supplements from the bad, we talked to Al Czap, a leading expert on the past, present, and future of curcumin as a nutritional supplement and therapeutic.
The damage of IBS can be far-reaching and complex, significantly diminishing quality of life. But it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to a number of innovative nutritional supplements.
Combining strategies like high-fiber and gluten-free diets with curcumin supplementation could provide superior support for people struggling with IBS symptoms.
Evidence suggests that butyric acid supplementation can provide the critical support needed to improve the health of the gut microbiome and help patients optimize well-being.
As the dangers of oxidative stress become increasingly evident, there is reason to believe that lowering this stress via glutathione supplementation could help patients optimize well-being.
Early studies suggest that glutathione may aid in the prevention and/or management of a wide variety of serious conditions, ranging from neurological diseases and gastrointestinal conditions to aging skin.
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, taken in supplement form may help combat the oxidative stress that plays role in some cases of IBS.
Whether you’re a patient or practitioner, staying abreast of the various conditions which may be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome is critical to ensuring correct diagnosis and treatment.
Curcumin is being recognized as a possible treatment for IBS owing to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, potentially helping patients control flare-ups preventively and more effectively than is possible with conventional treatment alone.
When the active ingredients in nutritional supplements are not absorbed as they pass through the digestive system, the chance that a supplement will have a therapeutic impact is significantly limited.
Evidence suggests that the IBS home remedies with universal appeal and efficacy focus on supporting the health of the gut microbiome, which can play a role in any and all symptoms of IBS.
For almost two decades, researchers have been conducting rigorous in vitro experiments, animal studies, and clinical trials, to determine whether probiotics could make a difference for patients with IBS.
The latest research suggests that a relatively new turmeric-based supplement—tetrahydrocurcumin—may be more effective for addressing gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly when delivered in highly bioavailable forms.
Compelling evidence has begun to emerge in support of modern dietary interventions for those who seek to alleviate IBD symptoms noninvasively, including the FODMAP diet and targeted nutraceutical interventions.