Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Although never diagnosed, I have often suspected that I suffer(ed) from depression/OCD/binge eating disorder. OCD symptoms were largely banished after a. looking into what vitamins and minerals I may be lacking and taking a supplement with a proper meal to maximise absorption and b. getting enough sleep. (I also suffer from insomnia, and I take melatonin.) There is a v fine line between who is clinically depressed and who is just more volatile etc, I was on anti-depressents (Zoloft and Xanax) for a while but didn't really help in any way so came off them. Something that really determines my mood is a. eating enough (when trying to lose weight even then don't go below BMR) and b. eating enough carbs and not too much protein. Refer to USDA recommendations on how just how much protein we need. There is this serotonin-carbs link posited, the details are still a mystery, but certainly research points to dieters on high-protein diets suffering from lower mood, there's SAD in the winter etc etc. Eating enough fruit and complex carbs has a substantial effect on my mood.

Now eating disorders... I am v inclined to binge/compulsive eating too (in fact any excessive fat I have on me is rooted in that) and had proper bulemic episodes in the past without the throwing up bit. By eating a good amount of carbs during the day and not too much protein (1g per kg should be fine) I don't tend to have binges anymore. The binges and cravings happened for a reason in my case: not eating enough carbs.

Now IBS - I gained 10 kilos on it at one point, but also lost 10 kilos on it. It's certainly possible to do both. The most important thing is to find the right diet: a combination of FODMAPs and EFI usually. Then eat enough carbs and adequate but not too much protein. This at least has made a great difference for me in terms of binge eating and other mental and physical problems. Once you find a diet that works for you, you function like the next person in terms of other issues. The IBS diet can be v healthy and is certainly well proportioned in terms of macronutrients. As for how non whole grain 'makes' us fat and people on a white bread diet (like those suffering from IBS) will get fat- complete b*llocks in my opinion. First time I ever ate a piece of wholewheat bread was when I was 18 and I grew up on a diet rich in white bread. So did my brother. Neither of us were ever even podgy, let alone overweight. Besides I sometimes feed my boyfriend rice krispies cereal, other times wholewheat bran (with fruit and nuts in both cases) for breakfast. I have not detected a difference in terms of when he gets hungry. (IF is meant to keep you full longer) He wants lunch the same time regardless of whether he had an IF heavy or a simple carb breakfast base. Ie imo IBS doesn't put you at a higher risk of becoming fat just because you can't eat as much IF as the next person and as I said once you find the right diet and then get all your vitamins and minerals and also eat in proportions as suggested by the USDA, your life may improve substantially.

That's my experience, hope this helps a bit. Wishing you best of luck at any rate.

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now: stable through EFI+FODMAP dieting (no lactose/no fructose/some fructans and some polyols)

before: IBS-D(pseudo-diarrhoea), bloating, often unbearable pain esp from too much fat: Apr 2007- Dec 2010

FODMAPs: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072710p30.shtml

[I've tried VSL#3 -> I could tolerate v good amounts of IF (even with less SF), it worked great (but overall I find it too expensive)]

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