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Heather's IBS Newsletter ~ For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Can you catch IBS by traveling?
A special guest columnist teaches Belly Breathing!
Plus chicken with mushroom gravy - delicious and IBS-friendly!
Hello to everyone ~
We have a great letter this week that tackles an issue I hear about from readers over and over again. What if you contract GI parasites or bacteria while traveling, and then take antibiotics, and then end up with IBS as a result? See how Kathleen overcame these traveler's blues.
We'll also tackle an intimidating topic for many IBS folks - how to start a yoga practice if you're not as flexible as a pretzel?
Plus, a fast and easy dinner recipe that puts a new spin on plain old chicken!
As always, we also have the latest IBS news and research. Enjoy!
Best Wishes,
Heather Van Vorous
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~ Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules ~
Peppermint Oil Caps Called "Drug of Choice for IBS"
Our Peppermint Oil Caps have the added benefits of fennel and ginger oils, and they help prevent abdominal pain, gas, and bloating!
Chicken with Marsala Mushroom Gravy Thanks to Emmasmom on the IBS Recipe Exchange for this fantastic, fast and easy dinner recipe. Serve with rice or couscous for a soluble fiber foundation, add in some steamed veggies, and you have the perfect work night dinner!
Salt and pepper to taste
3 six-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 T non-hydrogenated soy butter (such as Spectrum or Soy Garden)
1 lb. fresh mushrooms (use wild for a delicious splurge)
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onions
1 cup fat free chicken broth
1 T marsala or sherry (optional, but wonderful)
1 1/2 T flour blended with 1 T Acacia Tummy Fiber
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Melt soy butter in a large non-stick skillet, add chicken, cover and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Turn chicken over; add mushrooms and onions on top of chicken. Cover and cook for 10 additional minutes.
Stir chicken broth and marsala into flour/Tummy Fiber mixture. Remove lid from chicken, add chicken broth mixture to skillet. Mix onions and mushrooms into the sauce. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes more, until chicken is just cooked through.
Serve over steamed rice or couscous, with a side of steamed zucchini and carrots.
Serve this chicken with Luscious Apricot Cobbler for dessert with a cup of Peppermint Tummy Tea!
Are you just learning how to eat for IBS? A little intimidated at the thought of special IBS recipes? Not quite sure just what makes these recipes special in the first place? Don't worry! Come see the IBS Diet pages, and find the answers to all your questions.
~ Heather's Tummy Fiber ~
For the Dietary Management of Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea, &, Constipation
Certified Organic Acacia ~ Pure Soluble Fiber
The prebiotic fiber that relieves both diarrhea and constipation!
** Very Economical ** Only 4 cents per gram of fiber!
Can You Catch IBS by Traveling?
Heather,
I certainly appreciate your newsletter and all your products. Living and working in community development in Peru for more three years, I have contracted a number of intestinal bacteria and parasites through my work in rural communities.
I was prescribed numerous strong (broad spectrum) antibiotics to rid myself of the critters, which I believe eventually triggered my IBS symptoms. For over a year I thought I had parasites that couldn't be detected in a lab, as all my results came back negative. I had typical intestinal symptoms of gas, bloating and diarrhea.
I was feeling rather concerned until I found your website, read your articles, bought your books, and started using your products. I have since changed my diet to reduce IBS triggers.
I can now keep myself mostly symptom-free through taking your products and watching my diet. I still have stress-related IBS symptoms at times, but at least I know what is causing them. Thank you for the good work you are doing to help people with IBS throughout the world.
Kathleen Kaping
P.S. You may use my story if you want, as I'm sure there are other people living abroad who might have the same thing happen to them. I have already shared your website with a number of people here in Peru.
Thank you so much, Kathleen! I've actually heard from a lot of people who had travel experiences similar to yours, so I know your letter is going to help others! ~ Heather
Did you miss the last reader letter from Emily, who is at the point where, "IBS no longer controls me, it's just one of the things about me!"?
~ Eating for IBS ~
Comprehensive IBS Diet Information & Safe Foods vs. Trigger Foods
Addresses multiple IBS symptoms * Teaches substitution, never deprivation
Finalist for the Julia Child cookbook award!
New Retail Stores Carrying Heather's Tummy Care Products
We're continuing our special rebate offer for people who buy Tummy Care products at their local stores, and we have new store announcements this week as well.
Washington
Fresh Vitamins
2600 SW Barton Street Suite E8
Seattle, WA 98126-3767
800 245 1504 x 1817
Wisconsin
Molbeck's Health and Spice Shop
3212 Washington Ave
Racine, WI 53405
262-632-5204
If you don't have a store in your area carrying Tummy Care products yet, please give them this flyer to ask them.
Special IBS Event!
The Annual Community Health Fair in Morris, IL will be held this year on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 11am-2pm at the Morris Health Mart. Local health care providers from the community will be on hand to provide literature, information and demonstrations to the public. Heather's Tummy Care is a featured vendor, with product samples, demonstrations, and more available!
There is no charge for admission to the Health Fair itself, and there are refreshments and gifts, including a Heather's Tummy Care basket. The fair is at the store on the plaza at 2405 Sycamore Dr., Morris, IL 60450. Phone: (815) 942-3660.
~ Heather's Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules ~
Peppermint Oil Caps Called "Drug of Choice for IBS"
Our Peppermint Oil Caps have the added benefits of fennel and ginger oils, and they help prevent abdominal pain, gas, and bloating!
Health Benefits of Probiotic Could Extend Beyond Gut
A new study in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and pathogen protection benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, a probiotic bacterial strain of human origin. Gastrointestinal benefits of probiotics have been well-documented, but more and more research is revealing that probiotic benefits extend to the entire body.
"Inflammation is a major factor in a number of chronic diseases affecting millions of people and can cause an unwanted impact on healthy tissue," said Dr. Liam O’Mahony, lead investigator. "Past research has shown that the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 can positively impact the body's immune defense3, and this most recent data suggests that its benefits are not restricted to the gastrointestinal tract."
Inflammation is associated with a wide range of conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, bacterial-induced colitis, type I diabetes and organ transplantation. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 has previously shown ability to modulate the inflammatory response in a clinical trial of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The new data suggests additional health benefits of this particular probiotic strain.
Go here for full information about prebiotic soluble fiber to encourage the growth of probiotics in the gut.
Go here for more information about this article...
Genetics of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A recent study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology noted that Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common diagnoses made by gastroenterologists and primary care providers alike, and yet the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Family and twin studies suggest that IBS may have a genetic basis. Several candidate gene association studies have been performed, but thus far, they have failed to clearly identify an IBS gene. Epidemiological studies are needed to facilitate phenotype definition and identify relevant environment risk factors that will need to factor in gene and environment interactions in all future genetic studies. As genetic research in IBS is relatively nascent, much opportunity, as well as many challenges, exists in identifying the genes responsible for IBS.
Go here for full information about IBS symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
Go here for more information about this article...
Researchers call gut-directed hypnotherapy a "cure" for IBS!
The Best Gut-Directed Self-Hypnosis Program for All IBS Symptoms
 
Gives an average 85% reduction of pain and bowel dysfunction symptoms.
Listen to IBS Audio Program 100 samples!
 Yoga for Beginners - Belly Breathe!
Special Guest Columnist, Evon Rubenstein
My thanks to Evon Rubenstein, an IBS sufferer and longtime yogi who has graciously offered to write a series of articles on starting a yoga practice just for IBS.
If you are new to yoga, you may believe that you have to be flexible enough to turn yourself into a pretzel! That is just not true. No matter what your physical state, you can practice yoga. The most important lesson to learn about yoga is it is not a competitive sport. Not only do you not compete with others in a class, you do not compete with yourself.
When people asked me about my yoga experience, I used to tell them that I had been practicing for 20 years, and then 25 years, and then 30 years. Then most recently I thought, "Whoa, what am I saying? Do I really want people taking out their calculators to figure out my age?"
My vanity meter went up to eleven and now I just say I've been practicing since I was six, when I would sit in Hero pose and walk around on my knees in full Lotus, which really freaked people out and made it even more appealing to me. I honestly didn't know what I was doing, but it came naturally.
I have Public Television to thank for my first formal introduction to yoga. Today, you can find a yoga studio in almost every corner strip mall and take classes at most gyms.
Recently, I was diagnosed with IBS. And like so many of us, after reading Heather's book I realized that I had suffered from it for many years. It is my opinion that I do not experience the severe symptoms many of you have reported, due to my long time yoga practice.
Now that I know about the disease, I am changing my daily practice to incorporate those poses that are most beneficial to IBS sufferers.
In order to get the best benefits from yoga you must be "in the present." Do not make lists in your head. Do not worry about bills. Do not answer the phone. Find a place where you can be alone and not be bothered - this is your time. Put everyone in the house on notice that you are not to be disturbed.
Yoga Basics for the IBS Patient
Yoga breathing, or "pranayama" (prah-nah-yah-mah/Breath Control), is the basis for all yoga poses, or "asanas" (ah-sahn-ahs/body positions). There are many yoga breathing techniques and the one I think is best for IBS is Belly Breathing.
You should practice this breath first thing in the morning and last thing at night. You can do this lying down in bed or sitting in a chair - anywhere you feel comfortable. You may want to drink some warm water or tea (no more than 8 oz) before the practice as this will increase the massage to your internal organs.
1. Start by placing your hands on your stomach.
2. Breathe in deeply through your nose directing the air into your lower abdominal region as if you were blowing up a balloon. Notice your belly expanding and your hands rising.
3. Now exhale, deflating your belly completely as if you were trying to push your belly button to your spine.
Notice how that feels - paying attention is part of being in the present. You are making that critical mind/body connection with your movements, which is an important part of self-healing.
Now try this breath practice again, only this time:
1. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, close your mouth and breathe in through your nose for a count of 4.
2. Hold the breath for 2 counts.
3. Exhale completely through your nose for a count of 4.
Repeat this process for 10 breaths. At night increase the exhale to 8 counts, and this will have the side benefit of making it easier to fall asleep.
You just started a yoga practice and didn't even have to turn yourself into a pretzel!
Practice your Belly Breathing everyday. Remember that it takes 21 days to develop a habit, and this is a habit that will also help your IBS symptoms (and increase your abdominal muscles in the bargain).
Belly Breathing is also very helpful for relieving stress. Practice this breath any time during the day when you feel anxious or upset.
Next in the series, we'll build on this breathing foundation to create a daily yoga practice.
~ Thanks so much, Evon! ~ Heather
Did you miss the previous Ask Heather and is sugar an IBS trigger - or not?
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