Irritable Bowel Syndrome Questions and Answers

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To help my irritable bowel, I started following a diet of no dairy and no wheat on the advice of a local naturopath. For almost a year, I drank soymilk and ate no wheat whatsoever--and it worked. But about three months ago, the bloating and the constipation returned. Now I'm wondering if the soymilk has become a problem. How can I get my digestive system back in balance?

In cases like this, it's often my preference to use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM may offer relief to some who suffer irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a September 2001 University of Western Sydney study.

TCM treatments usually involve a combination of herbs that are individually tailored to the patient's symptoms, but there are other TCM dietary principles that you can practice on your own that may help.

In Chinese, qi (pronounced "chee") means the underlying strength and energy of a bodily system. IBS is a sign of disharmony between the liver and the spleen, according to Chinese medical literature, and indicates a weakened spleen qi. So you will want to work toward strengthening yours.

Enzymes increase your spleen qi. I would start supplementing with a digestive enzyme. These make sure that carbohydrates (which tend to make up the bulk of your diet) are adequately digested. I use Renew Life's Gas Stop enzyme. I would also use a probiotic supplement to ensure you have the right digestive bacteria in your intestines. Poor dietary habits, stress and antibiotics can encourage growth of bad intestinal bacteria; supplementing with probiotics can encourage a healthy bacteria population in your gut. I like Renew Life's Flora Smart for a probiotic.