Organic Acacia
Soluble Fiber

The prebiotic fiber that reduces bloating & gas!

In this Issue...

Food & Recipes

Special Events

Rx News & Research

Ask Heather

About Us

The Herb Kit - 20% Off!
Peppermint and Fennel Tummy Teas
plus Peppermint Caps!

All the herbal help you need to start managing symptoms RIGHT NOW!

Gut-directed hypnosis is one of the most effective ways to help relieve all IBS symptoms! Results can last more than 5 years.

Did you miss the latest
IBS newsletter and
Homemade Applesauce?

Past issues
are posted here!

Heather's
Peppermint Tummy Tea

Peppermint is a smooth muscle relaxant and has pain-killing properties.

Our tea is very large leaf with a very high volatile oil content - so much stronger than tea bags you won't believe it!

Peppermint Oil Caps Are Amazing!

I think Peppermint Oil Caps are truly unbeatable for abdominal spasms, cramps and pain.

Our caps also have fennel and ginger oils, for extra digestive benefits!

Fennel Tummy Tea for Bloating & Gas

Fennel has anti-spasmodic properties and I think it's the best for relieving bloating and gas!

Our one-pound bag equals more than ten boxes of tea bags, and has a high volatile oil content for a super strong and effective brew.

Delicious Recipes
for IBS!

Learn how to eat well and feel better!

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November 10, 2004

This week - diarrhea, constipation, and IBS in dogs

Hello to everyone -

If you're gearing up for a big Thanksgiving weekend, be sure to check all of our resources and recipes for an IBS-safe holiday. You'll find everything from travel tips to scrumptious treats, and more!

I am really tickled to announce that we've finally posted a list of IBS-safe brands of foods (and drinks, and snacks, and lots more). All of the suggestions have come from readers, and we'll continue to add to the list and update it. I'd like to give my heartfelt thank you to Sinead (Cailin on the boards) for her tremendous persistence and plain old hard work in gathering, organizing, and pulling together all of this information. The list spans four countries and hundreds of suggestions - a gigantic hug to you for your amazing work, Sinead!

As always, we also have a wealth of new digestive health research findings. Enjoy!

Best Wishes,
Heather Van Vorous

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Speedy Chablis Chicken

Makes 6 Servings

3 whole organic chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup Chablis wine
1/2 cup apple jelly
1/2 cup currants, diced

Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and set aside. In a large non-stick skillet heat oil over medium heat and cook chicken until golden brown, about four minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet. Add to skillet Chablis, apple jelly, and currants, and simmer, stirring constantly, until bubbly and smooth. Return chicken to skillet and baste with sauce. Cover pan and simmer about 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is just cooked through. Serve with rice or noodles.

For oodles of other delicious recipes, come visit the IBS Recipe Exchange board!

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.

New IBS Support Group in the UK!
I am delighted to announce a brand new IBS & Fibromyalgia Support Group! Our new group is in Newbury, Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. Lindsey Quarrie will be leading the group and moderating the support group message board.

The first meeting for the Newbury group is November 27. Details about the time and place will be posted on the board. Please come join us, and email Lindsey at lindsey@quarrie.net if you have any questions!

Probiotic Could Relieve Some IBS Abdominal Bloating
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota, found that the probiotic formulation VSL#3 appears promising in relieving abdominal bloating in patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A study in Alimentary Pharmacology showed that the action was unrelated to alteration in gastrointestinal (GI) or colonic transit in a randomised, controlled trial with 25 diarrhoea-predominant IBS patients. Go here for more information about probiotics and IBS...

Go here for more information about this study...

Soy Could Stop Spread of Breast Cancer
An in-vitro study carried out at the University of Ulster, published in the International Journal of Cancer, has concludede that eating more soy-rich foods could reduce the spread of breast cancer. "The isoflavones exerted potent inhibitory effects on breast cancer cell invasion, even at concentrations similar to those found in South East-Asian populations," said Dr Pamela Magee from the university's School of Biomedical Sciences. South-East Asian populations traditionally consume high amounts of soy and have a low incidence of breast cancer. Soy contains naturally occurring hormone-like compounds called isoflavones that scientists believe can inhibit breast cancer development.

"Our findings seem to indicate that eating a soy rich products such as soy milk, soy drinks and desserts, could have an important role in preventing the spread of cancer cells in the body," said Magee. "Further studies in human volunteers are now needed to confirm whether soy isoflavones will protect against breast cancer spread in patients." Looking for ways to add soy to your diet? Go here for hundreds of IBS-friendly recipes...

Go here for more information about this study...

Hypnotherapy could be a Useful Treatment for IBS in Primary Care
A British study recently sent a questionnaire to general practitioners to investigate their views of IBS and whether they felt hypnotherapy had a place in its management. Nearly half the doctors responding thought that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was a "nervous complaint" and used a combination of "the placebo effect of personal care," remedial, and dietary advice. There is considerable divergence in the perceived effectiveness of current approaches. Over 70% thought that hypnotherapy may have a role in the management of patients with IBS; though the majority (68%) felt that this should not be offered by general practitioners. 84% felt that this should be offered by qualified hypnotherapist, with 40% feeling that this should be offered outside the health service. Go here for more information about hypnotherapy for IBS...

Go here for more information about this study...

Serotonin Roles in Normal and Abnormal GI Motility
A recent study in Alimentary Pharmacology shows that symptoms associated with the down-regulation of the serotonin reuptake transporter in the human mucosa in irritable bowel syndrome are similar to the symptoms associated with the knockout of the serotonin reuptake transporter in mice. The observation that molecular defects occur in the human gut in irritable bowel syndrome strengthens the hand of those seeking to legitimize the disease. At least it is not 'all in your head'. The bowel contributes. Go here for more information...

Obese Women Face Higher Risk of Colorectal Cancer
New study findings show a high body mass index (BMI) among women is a more significant risk factor for colorectal neoplasia than for men. According to data released at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, researchers from Stony Brook University found a positive correlation between increased body mass index (BMI) and the risk of colorectal neoplasia among asymptomatic women who underwent colonoscopies. Overall, their findings reveal that increasing BMI is associated with higher risk of significant colorectal neoplasia. Go here for more information...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications Side Effects
A recent Journal of Clinical Gastroenterolgoy survey was conducted to determine the frequency and severity of side effects experienced during treatment with standard medications used to treat patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Results showed virtually all subjects (99%) having tried at least 1 medication, and nearly three quarters reported discontinuing treatment because of side effects. Many sought medical help or missed work, school, or social activities because of side effects. The study concluded that traditional therapies for IBS constipation are associated with side effects that negatively affect the lives of IBS sufferers. Go here for more information...

Looking for the latest IBS research and news?
Check out the IBS Research Library!

Update on Sammy - Can Dogs Have IBS?
You may remember the very special letter we received from Sammy the Dog in April's IBS newsletter. We've since had an update...

dog with IBS

Dear Heather:

Well, we (Sammy and I) decided to send you an update and give another success story to share with your readers.

On May 10 we were finally able to introduce Heather's Tummy Fiber Acacia into Sammy's diet. At first it was difficult to find something he would eat that we could mix it in with. But gradually as the fiber supplement did its work, Sammy began to eat his normal soft dog food laced with the fiber every morning. However, we had to continue giving him a steroid pill every third day and an occasional animal version of Pepcid.

Then, on July 3, we decided to get more aggressive in his treatment. He had been eating his breakfast of dog food laced with Tummy Fiber every day so we made the decision to stop all medications and go strictly organic. At first we had a few rough patches but for the most part he ate every day. And he had no other symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. So we persevered, and now it has been 70 consecutive days of no medications. YEAH!!!

Sammy recently paid his vet a visit for a checkup and she is amazed at his recovery. He has gained back all lost weight and muscle tone. His coat and eyes are shiny and he has a bounce back in his walk. It's almost as if he were never sick. We are extremely pleased with the results and look forward to many more years with our buddy, thanks to Heather & Co.

Here is a photo, in profile, to show how he has filled out since he is now eating well once again.

dog with IBS

Thanks to all of you for bringing about this miracle for us.

Vicki and Mark Burton, and Sammy

Thank you to Vicki and Mark for sharing their wonderful update - and a hug, kiss, and belly rub to Sammy!
~ Heather

Heather & Company for IBS, LLC is dedicated to serving people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Our mission is to provide education, support, and products that allow people with IBS to successfully manage their symptoms through lifestyle modifications.

We offer extensive information and tangible help for IBS, including the world's best-selling and best-reviewed books for the disorder. We provide the internet's top IBS web site resources; a twice-monthly IBS Newsletter; seminars and classes; dietary brochures for patient distribution by health care professionals; an IBS Research Library; and Heather Cooks!, a healthy cooking show on Seattle television. Much of our work is based on Heather's development of the first and only comprehensive IBS dietary guidelines and recipes, an achievement which has earned numerous awards and accolades as well as thousands of thank you letters from IBS sufferers.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This email is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Any application of the recommendations in this email is at the reader's discretion. Heather Van Vorous and Heather & Company for IBS, LLC are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this email and/or any web site(s) linked to/from it. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this email.