Sensitivity/IBS Sufferer
#362440 - 12/10/10 01:35 PM
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di8286
Reged: 05/27/10
Posts: 46
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Can anyone recommend a good probiotic, digestive enzyme, calcium supplement and vitamin supplement that will not bother someone suffering from IBS? I have been taking multi-vitamins that are vegetarian and my stomach is still affected. Every time I take vitamins, I feel sick to my stomach. This seems to happen with calcium too. I also have diverticulosis, acid reflux, hialta hernia, etc.
Has anyone ever heard of Vitamin Code vitamins for woman? What are your thought on these being that they are raw? I tend to do better with cooked vegetables than eating salads so I don't know if these would bother my stomach. Any feedback?
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My feedback is just don't take any. It isn't worth trying to deal with vitamins. Many people get what they need from food. Also enzymes and probiotics can lead to more problems than benefit. Some people like them though.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Only a few probiotics have been clinically tested for IBS. Align, VSL#3 and Digestive Advantage have shown some clinical efficacy.
Only a few digestive enzymes sold as supplements can with stand the stomach acids and not be degraded. The digestive enzyme in Beano can help with gas from certain grains and vegetables and lactase can help with lactose in milk although dairy products are not part of the EFI diet.
Vitamin supplements are a problem for many people. I cannot take any vitamins so I drink lots of orange, grapefruit and berry juices. Some people have had success with children's vitamins.
There doesn't seem to be anything particularly unique about the Vitamin Code vitamins. The probiotic/digestive enzymes they contain are minimal. You can probably get the same amount of vitamins from your diet for a lot less money.
It isn't unusual for IBS individuals with IBS to do better with cooked and even peeled/pureed veggies than raw veggies in a salad. Have you read about Heather's Eating for IBS (EFI) diet and what is says about insoluble and soluble fiber? Raw veggies are high in insoluble fiber which can make IBS symptoms worse.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Syl, Thanks for posting this info. I pretty much stay away from beans and foods that cause gas. However, I do love vegetables such as brocoli. So, I'll try the Beano. I am totally off of dairy, so I wouldn't need the lactase. I've been reading up and looking into VSL, Align, etc. and found that my local Costco sells the VSL cheaper than anywhere else - they can order for you in one day. So, I may try that. As far as getting vitamins in orange juice, berry juice, etc. - I have acid reflux too, so I cannot tolerate orange juice. I have an awful lot of restrictions being on Heather's IBS diet, diverticulosis and acid reflux diet as well. Plus, I cannot tolerate psyllum and soy bothers me. I have to do alot of substitutions and I pretty much make alot of my food from scratch - seems to be safer that way. I am 52 years old and began menopause 6 months ago. Cannot and will not do HRT therapy. I'm actually doing a natural progesterone made out of yams (cream form). Went to a lecture regarding this. I have osteoporosis too. So, due to the time in my life and the need for calcium, I do need to take a multivitamin with minerals and I need some form of calcium as I am totally off of dairy. That is why I was asking these questions. And yes, I have read Heather's Eating for IBS - I have both of her books. When I do eat a salad - I always eat it at the end of a meal. I've been doing more of the cooked vegetables lately. I have also been staying away from whole wheat. Been using white flour to make my pancakes with oats - things like that. My stomach seems to tolerate this very well.
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I understand your feelings about wanting to take vitamins, etc...in fact I took alot of vitamins all my life up until I hit menopause and suddenly my stomach couldn't tolerate anything. I have similar problems and cannot do citrus and not alot of fruit and veggies either so I always feel I come up short, however I have not found any vitamin to be well tolerated. I am thinking maybe a liquid vitamin (in a smaller dose) or a children's vitamin might be ok. I am currently experimenting with probiotics and enzymes too. I have used citrucel for fiber and that seemed to produce the least amount of gas of any for me. BTW, I am through menopause (age 55) but, find that my stomach is more sensitive than ever...not sure why, but...
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IBS-D. Eating gluten and dairy free.
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Well, I just began menopause this past year. I'm hoping it won't last long. I was also thinking of a liquid vitamin, but don't know of any. Do you? I am doing Heather's Acacia Senegel fiber as I can't tolerate others. I just increased the dose and will keep increasing it. I just bought the VSL #3 probiotic as I read the reviews and they were good. I bought it at Costco cheaper than anywhere else. So, I'm going to try it tomorrow. My doctor's office just called today with my bone density results and I still have osteoporosis - can't take anything as everything bothers my stomach. So, the doctor is going to get back to me on this. That's another reason I wanted to get calcium into my body. I have had osteoporosis since I was 37 years old. I am fair-skinned, blue-eyed, small boned and I will be 53 in February. I just want to find a vitamin and calcium to make up for what I don't get due to all the food restrictions.
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FWIW, my daughter (who had 'severe' ibs) is able to tolerate Floradix Liquid vitamin supplement. She takes the children's formula.
hth,
kem
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Thanks for the info.
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