Everything you eat affects your gut, so if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it’s in your best interest to manage your diet.
That’s easier said than done.
Fortunately, Dr. Jake Schmutz at Integrative Medica has extensive experience treating IBS with medical nutrition therapy. As a naturopathic physician, he specializes in holistic treatments that address the root cause of your IBS. His personalized approach ensures you get a customized treatment plan that considers your unique IBS symptoms and overall health.
Dr. Schmutz explains why diet matters for IBS, how medical nutrition therapy helps, and other holistic treatment options.
If you have IBS, you know that everything you eat impacts your symptoms, and certain foods can trigger flare-ups. Knowing what to avoid can make a huge difference in your symptoms.
A balanced diet helps you maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for digestion and nutrient absorption. Poor gut health can exacerbate IBS symptoms, so focusing on your diet is the best way to manage your condition.
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) involves using specific dietary interventions to manage medical conditions. Dr. Schmutz uses MNT for IBS to reduce your symptoms and improve overall digestive health.
He often includes dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle modifications that help you identify and eliminate food triggers, improve nutrient absorption, and promote a healthier gut environment.
Dr. Schmutz typically starts MNT by thoroughly assessing your dietary habits, medical history, and symptoms. Based on this information, he develops a personalized nutrition plan and monitors your progress with regular follow-ups.
As part of your MNT, Dr. Schmutz may recommend an elimination diet to identify your IBS food triggers. You start by eliminating certain foods and food groups for about 2-6 weeks, which “resets” your system. During that time, you track your symptoms and establish a baseline.
Under Dr. Schmutz’s supervision, you gradually reintroduce foods back into your diet to discover which foods cause your symptoms.
Another potential aspect of MNT is the low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet. High FODMAP foods cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea because your small intestine doesn’t absorb these short-chain carbohydrates very well. Limiting them can help you manage your IBS.
Dr. Schmutz approaches IBS from multiple angles until he finds the key to managing your unique symptoms. Here are some of his holistic IBS treatments:
Nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, and probiotics improve gut health and reduce IBS symptoms. If you don’t get enough from your diet, Dr. Schmutz may recommend supplements like probiotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes. These can help balance your gut microbiome, improve digestion, and reduce symptoms like bloating and gas.
If you lack specific nutrients, intravenous (IV) nutritional therapy delivers them directly into your bloodstream through an IV line to ensure that your body absorbs the nutrients efficiently, bypassing any issues with your digestive system.
Stomach acid is essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, so low stomach acid can lead to digestive issues and exacerbate IBS symptoms.
Dr. Schmutz can help you replenish your stomach acid through dietary changes, supplements, and medications.
Hormonal imbalances can exacerbate IBS symptoms, particularly in women. If you have hormone-related IBS symptoms, Dr. Schmutz offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to regulate your hormone levels and reduce symptoms like bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Dr. Schmutz also specializes in botanical medicine for IBS. Rather than relying on synthetic chemicals, he uses herbal therapy to address your symptoms.
For example, turmeric (specifically, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric) is an excellent anti-inflammatory, and peppermint is an anti-spasmodic that relaxes your digestive tract.
If you’re ready to explore MNT and our other holistic options further, call Integrative Medica in Salt Lake City, Utah, to schedule an appointment.
