IBS and nutritional deficiencies
#306179 - 04/30/07 08:24 AM
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Does IBS, in general, have a tendency to cause nutritional deficiencies? For example, I am potassium deficient and iron deficient (and I'm relatively healthy and only 26 years old). The doctors found one cause of the potassium deficiency to be a medication I was on... and they assume I am iron deficient because I don't eat meat. But I am curious what others know about problems with IBS and absorbing nutrients from foods if the food passes through too quickly? Example: I can eat something and quickly have diarrhea and see parts of the food I just ate. Does this mean my body did not absorb all or some of the foods? Thanks for your help!
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Speaking only for myself, IBS definitely keeps me from getting all the nutrients I need out of food and so I have to supplement that.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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I have been tested for vitamin and nutrient deficiencies both before and after starting the IBS diet. In both cases, I had no deficiencies whatsoever. I'm also a vegetarian, but had no problems with iron deficiency.
As with everything, everyone's different! Those with D may be more susceptible to deficiencies than those with C (like myself).
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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If you can see food you have not absorbed it. If you did not absorb it you have not gotten any nutrients from it, thus you wind up with deficiencies. 
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Catnut IBS-C for many years, finally diagnosed in 2005. Wheat and dairy sensative.
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I'm pretty sure that IBS does not cause deficiencies in general. I suppose it could possibly happen if you have very bad D but IBS as such does not make you absorb less nutrients. However if you have to limit yourself to a strict diet then of course you might be missing out on some nutrients due to the fact that you never even eat food containing them.
I have been checked for deficiencies but haven't had any apart from iron deficiency and that comes from my not eating meat and also that I have pretty heavy bleeding during my periods.
/Ulrika, IBS-D
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