You Don't Have to Live in Legs Reach of a Bathroom

Living your life with a bathroom within sprinting distance isn't a way to live, and it can be humiliating, especially if the root cause isn't addressed.

If you were diagnosed with IBS-D, here are some things that could potentially help alleviate episodes and help to improve your quality of life:

1) Manage stress

Many gut health related issues tend to be neurologically driven, due to the relationship of the Gut-Brain Axis. Managing stressors is key to preventing IBS-D episodes. Working with a counselor/therapist has been proven to be beneficial in improving outcomes.

2) Stay hydrated

This goes along with ensuring you're eating enough fiber. Water will help to keep fiber moving within the GI tract and help to produce a more comfortable BM.

3) Prioritize soluble fiber

Soluble fiber helps to absorb water and forms a gel-like structure. Foods such as psyllium husks and oats can be beneficial. Other foods to include that are also low FODMAP: kiwi, brazil nuts, brown rice, quinoa, potato with skins, green beans, and raspberries.

4) Eat a low FODMAP diet

Avoiding these short chain carbs, which are fermented by gut bacteria, can help to limit bloating/cramping/diarrhea by restricting the amount of food available for fermentation. This is temporary, as this process is beneficial to support a healthy gut microbiome.

5) Support the gut

Usually a Rx of Imodium is given to help suppress episodes, but we should focus the efforts in supporting the gut by utilizing soothing supplements to help repair gut integrity. L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, and inner leaf of aloe vera are a few to mention.

6) Suppress systemic inflammation

Chronic inflammation is extremely damaging, and can exacerbate episodes. Along with proper stress management (sleep, training, nutrition, etc.), including supplements to help suppress systemic inflammation can be beneficial too. A quality omega-3 supplement and highly absorbable turmeric can be helpful. I personally use MorphOmega, it's a powdered Omega-3 that won't become rancid, unlike most Omega-3s that are available for purchase. Code "MYOSTRENGTH" can save you save 10% at checkout.