Colon Cleanse Blog

New findings by Swedish researchers at Sahlgrenska University in Gothenburg further support claims that regular exercise can help to dramatically decrease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Altogether a total of 102 previously documented adult IBS patients, ranging from ages 18 to 65, took part in this new IBS study. The participants were randomly assigned into one of two groups:

1. An experimental group whose members where instructed to increase their daily activity level
2. A comparative control group whose members were told to maintain their current lifestyle habits.

Participants in the more active experimental group were asked to perform some sort of moderate to vigorous physical exercise, such as quick-paced walking or running, for an minimum of 20 to 30 minutes, at least three to five days each week, for an overall period lasting three months.

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There is more and more news coming out on the link between people who have taken Accutane and the rise in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This oral pill, also known as Roaccutane or Isotretinion, is a pharmaceutical drug derived from chemical extracts of Vitamin A, or retinol.

On the market since the early 1980’s, it was aimed at helping clear up difficult and chronic cases of skin acne. Used by tens of thousands of people in the United States, this drug has become notorious for its noxious side effects, including skin cracking, bleeding and an inability to withstand sunlight. Today it should come as no surprise that it may be linked to digestive conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

What is IBD?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but not the same condition) is a serious illness involving the inflammation of the colon and large intestines. Difficult to treat, this inflammation is the result of a colon that cannot operate with its usual control over muscle motility.

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Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases facing the population today. It is classified by mild to severe abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation, and is usually triggered by stress and poor diet.

Women are particularly vulnerable to this condition (estimates show that almost twice as many women experience IBS than men), and research shows that it costs millions of dollars each year in doctor’s visits, lost productivity and absenteeism.

A study done at University of Adelaide, in Australia, confirms what ancient holistic health practitioners and today’s naturopaths have known for many years. The mint plant, and in the case of this study, peppermint, can help relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. And in a country where an astounding 20% of the population suffer from this digestive imbalance, it is a crucial discovery.

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Although Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common diagnosis given by gastroenterologists, the exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome still remain unclear.

Good news is, extensive research continues to persist progressively into the causes of IBS, and a number of contributing factors have been identified as potential causes, acting together to bring about IBS symptoms.

1. Stress & Anxiety Can Cause IBS

Surprise, surprise! Whether you have IBS or not, the reality is that when you find yourself consumed with worries about your finances, health, finding a job, relationships, project deadlines, and so forth, you are stressing. The negative emotion of bad stress becomes a problem for the body if it persists. It can cause the production of stress hormones including corticosteroids, which can accelerate or restrict the movement of waste through the colon.

Let’s take on eating habits for a moment. Depending on what you eat, when you eat, how much you eat, how often you eat during times of stress, will impact your bowel movement in some capacity. For example, busy, stressed people tend to skip meals or eat on the go which is not good for proper digestion. They often times maintain a fast food diet of too much meat and fats, and not enough organic fruit, vegetables and fiber. They also have a tendency to put off going to the bathroom, and choose to withhold their bowel movements to make it through a meeting or a deadline. As a result, they may experience bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea, all of which are common symptoms of IBS. Sound familiar?

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