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March 13, 2003

Buttermilk Pancakes

4 Servings

Sift then whisk into large bowl:

1 Cup minus 1 T all-purpose flour
1 t granulated sugar
1/4 t salt
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda

Whisk in medium bowl till foamy:
2 egg whites

In small bowl combine:
1 C plain soy (or rice) milk
1 T vinegar
1 T canola oil

Stir soy mixture till slightly thickened. Whisk into egg whites. Whisk wet ingredients into dry just until blended (small lumps will remain). Don't overblend or your pancakes won't be fluffy!

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and spray lightly with cooking oil. Drop or pour spoonfuls of batter onto skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on surface and just begin to burst. Flip pancakes and cook until golden brown on other side. Serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar.



For more recipes, click here for the IBS Recipe Board!

This week ~ Children and IBS

Hello to everyone -

Here's a recipe by special request - traditional Buttermilk Pancakes!

These are a weekend breakfast favorite for children and parents alike. Old-fashioned pancakes are a tasty family treat, but they're usually made with lots of milk, egg yolks, and butter, which isn't very digestion-friendly. Our new-fashioned recipe is every bit as delicious, but replaces the trigger foods with ease.

I've kept the tang and fluffy texture that buttermilk lends by using clabbered soy milk instead - this is a super easy step that blends a little vinegar with plain soy (or rice) milk to slightly sour it. Whole eggs are replaced with extra egg whites, and just a little heart-healthy canola oil replaces the butter. A soluble fiber foundation, the key to digestive stability, is provided by the all-purpose flour.

So, the next time you're craving homemade pancakes on a rainy Sunday morning, here's the perfect recipe. These flapjacks are just as delicious, light and tender as ever, but are now much more healthy! For an extra splurge, top with a generous drizzle of real maple syrup. Now, if only my local diner made pancakes this way...

Happy Cooking,
Heather Van Vorous

Vegetarian Diet With Soy and Soluble Fiber Lowers Cholesterol
A vegetarian diet emphasizing soy and soluble fiber can lower cholesterol by a surprising one-third, according to a recent Canadian study. Ordinarily, people do well to lower their cholesterol by just ten percent by changing their diet, so doctors often have to prescribe powerful statin drugs to get their cholesterol down far enough. This diet appears to do just as well as the statin drugs, much to the surprise of the study directors.
Click here for more information...

Alterations of Brain Activity in a Case of Severe IBS
The association of psychosocial disturbances with more severe irritable bowel syndrome is well recognized. However, there is no evidence as to how these associations might be mediated. In this case report, an association was found between the severity of a patient's clinical symptoms and psychosocial state, with activation of the cingulate cortex. It was also found that clinical and psychosocial improvement was associated with reduced cingulate activation.
Click here for more information...

Guidelines on Osteoporosis in Gastrointestinal Diseases
The American Gastroenterological Association has issued a medical position statement with the official recommendations of the (AGA) Committee on Osteoporosis in Gastrointestinal Disease. The guidelines note that disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be associated with osteoporosis. Pathophysiologic factors specific to GI diseases include the frequent onset of IBD and celiac disease in childhood or young adulthood; impaired absorption of nutrients vital to bone health, such as calcium and vitamin D; the use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of IBD; and the chronic inflammatory state of IBD and untreated celiac disease. Guideline sections include a summary of bone disease in inflammatory bowel disease, a summary of bone disease in celiac disease, and approaches to managing osteoporosis in GI disease. Click here for more information...

Lotronex for IBS: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
The present analysis shows that alosetron (brand name Lotronex) positively impacts global symptoms, and pain and discomfort in non-constipated IBS female patients. One in four patients treated with alosetron may develop constipation. Click here for more information...
Can children be diagnosed with IBS?
"My 10 year old grandson has been complaining about a lot of gas and diarrhea over the past year. Should he be taken to his doctor for this? Or should I try him on the IBS diet, which I follow, and see if that helps?"

It is absolutely possible for a child to develop IBS. I personally had my first attack at age 9, though I went undiagnosed until age 16. The most common age at diagnosis is late teens to early twenties, but children as young as 4 have been formally diagnosed. IBS does seem to run in families, so I would be particularly suspicious when there are close relatives who have the disorder, even though researchers have not yet found a solid genetic link.

It's crucial that other digestive problems be ruled out before you assume a child has IBS - at a minimum, your grandson needs to see a doctor to have the blood work done to screen him for celiac and inflammatory bowel diseases. If those turn up negative, the doctor may not want to run more invasive tests. However, that basic blood work is essential, so I would insist on it. The doctor should also make sure that your grandson's symptoms clearly fall within the diagnostic guidelines for IBS (which are formally known as the Rome II criteria). The main criteria are:

At least 12 weeks (which need not be consecutive) in the preceding 12 months, of abdominal discomfort / pain that has two out of three of these features:

1. Relieved with defecation; and/or
2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool; and/or
3. Onset associated with a change in appearance of stool.

There are additional supporting symptoms of IBS under the Rome II criteria as well. If your grandson's doctor is not familiar with these diagnostic guidelines, I'd suggest seeking a second opinion from a different doctor, preferably a gastroenterologist.

While you're waiting for a firm diagnosis, your grandson can certainly eat according to the IBS guidelines. This won't hurt him if he doesn't have IBS (though the test for celiac will tell you if he needs to avoid gluten - a very different consideration than that of the IBS diet). He can also take a soluble fiber supplement every day, as there are no health risks or side effects to that, though I would check with his doctor for the appropriate dosage for a 10 year old. If he is diagnosed with IBS, a prescription anti-spasmodic may be prescribed, with the specific drug and dosage taking his age into account. There is at least one anti-spasmodic (Pro-Banthine) that is considered a children's drug.

There are actually special sections just for children with IBS in the First Year IBS book, as their concerns and issues can differ quite a bit from those of adults, and this is a topic quite close to my heart so I addressed it in detail.

There is also a wonderful gut-specific hypnotherapy program just for children with IBS, and a special IBS Child's Kit that includes both the First Year IBS book, the children's hypnosis program, and clinically proven peppermint oil capsules.
Heather & Company is dedicated to serving people with IBS. Our mission is to offer education, services, and products that allow people with IBS to successfully manage their symptoms through lifestyle modifications. We currently offer the books
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