Inflammatory Bowel Disease Archives

Diet Recommendations for IBD or IBS: Eat Well, Feel Your Best

Diet, Digestive Health, Disease / By Staff Writer

When you’re living with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), what’s in your fridge and on your plate matters. A healthy, tailored diet not only eases symptoms but also boosts the effects of probiotics, giving your gut its best shot at healing and balance.

Best Diet Practices for IBD (Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis)

What is IBD?

IBD creates real, lasting inflammation inside your digestive tract. Although no diet can cure IBD, eating the right foods makes a big difference in how you feel day-to-day. Here are some tips you can use to manage and perhaps reduce your IBD symptoms.

For a complete discussion of the differences between IBD and IBS, read our informative primer by clicking here.

Core IBD Eating Strategies:

Eat Softer, Lower-Fiber Foods During Flare-Ups. Options Like White Rice, Plain Cereals, Well-Cooked Veggies, Applesauce, and Tender Proteins (Chicken, Eggs, Tofu) are Easier to Digest and Help Calm Your Gut During Flare-Ups.
Focus On Gentle Proteins Such as Poultry, Fish, Eggs, and Nut/Seed Butters.
Fatty Fish (Like Salmon) Brings Inflammation Down, Thanks to Omega-3s.
Choose Healthy Fats: Avocados, Olive Oil, and Nut Butters Support Healing of the Gut Lining.
During Remission, Gradually Add More Fiber From Fruits, Vegetables, Beans, and Whole Grains, but Watch How Your Gut Reacts.
Nourish With Probiotics: Yogurt (With Live Cultures), Kefir, Fermented Veggies, and Miso Help Rebalance Gut Bacteria and May Aid Remission.

Foods to Avoid if You Have IBD:

Seeds, Nuts, Popcorn (Can Irritate The Gut When Inflamed)
High-Fat, Fried, or Strongly Spiced Foods
Caffeine, Alcohol, and Carbonated Drinks
Raw Skins Of Fruits and Fibrous Vegetables During Flare-Ups
Dairy, If Lactose Intolerant

Smart Diet Choices for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

What is IBS?

IBS is about gut function, not damage. Unlike IBD, with IBS your gut lining appears to be fine, but it doesn’t feel that way. However, like IBD, the wrong foods can trigger bloating, gas, and unpredictable emergency bathroom trips.

Winning IBS Meal Strategies:

Try A Low-FODMAP Diet: This Diet Temporarily Removes “Fermentable Carbs” (Like Onions, Garlic, Wheat, Certain Fruits, and Beans), then Reintroduces Them One at a Time to Find Your Triggers.
Gentle Proteins: Chicken, Turkey, Fish, Eggs, and Tofu are Least Likely to Upset Your Gut.
Cooked Veggies Over Raw: Steam or Bake Carrots, Zucchini, and Squash. Limit Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cabbage, which Can Make Gas and Bloating Worse.
Stick To Soluble Fiber: Oats, Peeled Apples, Bananas, and Carrots Help Soothe Gut Tissues.
Low-Lactose Dairy Or Lactose-Free Milk: If You’re Sensitive to Lactose, Choose Alternatives or Probiotic Yogurt.
Probiotics: Combining Dietary Changes with Daily Probiotic Supplements (Especially Those With Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) Helps Ease Gas, Pain, and Irregularity.

Foods to Avoid in IBS:

High-FODMAP Foods: Wheat, Beans, Honey, Milk, Onions, Apples
Caffeine, Spicy Foods, Fried Foods
Cruciferous Veggies: Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts
Artificial Sweeteners like Sorbitol and Xylitol

Pro-Tip: Keep a food journal! Your symptoms and triggers are unique. Tracking what you eat helps spot patterns and avoid flare-ups.

Your Gut Health Action Plan:

Work With Your Doctor Or a Registered Dietitian, Especially for Personalized Plans or if You’re Struggling with Symptoms You’re Unable To Manage Alone.
Be Consistent With Dietary Changes and Always Combine with Daily Probiotics for Better Results.
Shop Smart: Choose Probiotic Supplements That Clearly List Strains and CFU (Colony Forming Units), Like Those From Endomune.

Want to Learn More?

Explore these resources for IBD/IBS-friendly diets and the science behind them:

Diet Recommendations for IBD or IBS: Eat Well, Feel Your Best Read More »

IBD or IBS? Understanding the Difference and How Probiotics Can Help

Diet, Digestive Health, Disease / By Staff Writer

Confused about IBD and IBS?

You’re not alone. Millions of people struggle to understand the difference between IBD and IBS – two conditions that sound similar but affect your digestive system in completely different ways.

Understanding which condition you have will make all the difference in finding the right treatment and feeling better faster. Let’s explore these conditions in simple terms and learn how probiotics can transform your digestive health.

What Makes IBD and IBS Different?

These two digestive conditions share similar-sounding names, but they impact your gut in vastly different ways. Here’s what sets them apart:

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): The Serious Inflammation Fighter

IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease – a serious condition that creates real, visible damage in your digestive tract.

Key characteristics of IBD:

Location: Affects Your Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Or Both
Main Types: Includes Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis
What Happens: Your Immune System Mistakenly Attacks Your Digestive Tract
Visible Damage: Doctors Can See Inflammation, Ulcers, And Tissue Damage During Tests
Symptoms: Bloody Diarrhea, Significant Weight Loss, Fever, And Extreme Fatigue
Genetic Component: Family History Increases Your Risk, Though No Single Gene Causes IBD

Take Action: If you experience bloody stools or unexplained weight loss, schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist immediately.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): The Functional Troublemaker

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome—a functional disorder that affects how your gut works without causing permanent damage.

Key characteristics of IBS:

What It Is: A Disorder Of Gut-Brain Communication, Not Structural Damage
Appearance: Your Intestines Look Completely Normal Under A Microscope
Symptoms You’ll Experience: Abdominal Pain, Bloating, Gas, And Bathroom Habit Changes
No Progression: IBS Never Develops Into IBD or Causes Lasting Intestinal Damage
Daily Impact: Can Significantly Affect Your Quality Of Life Despite Being “Functional”

Quick Reference: IBD vs. IBS Comparison

IBD and IBS Quick Reference Comparison Chart

How Probiotics Combat Both IBD and IBS

Probiotics – are beneficial bacteria that keep your gut healthy, provide powerful support for both conditions, although they work differently for each.

Probiotics Combat IBD Inflammation

Scientific evidence shows probiotics can:

Reduce Inflammatory Markers In Your Digestive Tract
Strengthen Your Intestinal Barrier Function
Help Prevent Flare-Ups When Combined With Medical Treatment
Support Your Gut’s Natural Healing Processes

Important note: Probiotics complement but never replace prescribed IBD medications. Always work with your gastroenterologist.

Probiotics Combat IBS

Research Demonstrates Probiotics Can:

Significantly Reduce Bloating, Gas, And Abdominal Pain
Improve Bowel Movement Regularity And Consistency
Enhance Gut-Brain Communication
Provide Relief Within 4-8 Weeks Of Consistent Use

Specific strains that help IBS

Lactobacillus Species For Pain Reduction
Bifidobacterium Strains For Bloating Relief
Multi-Strain Formulas For Comprehensive Digestive Support

Ready to start feeling better? Explore EndoMune’s Advanced Probiotic clinically proven probiotic formulations designed specifically for digestive health support.

Your Action Plan: Choosing the Right Probiotic

Essential Selection Criteria:

Look For Specific Strain Names On The Label (Not Just “Lactobacillus”)
Choose Multi-Strain Formulas For Broader Digestive Support
Verify Clinical Research Backing The Specific Strains
Commit To Consistency—Take Daily For At Least 4-8 Weeks
Combine With Lifestyle Changes: Fiber-Rich Diet And Regular Exercise

Important Safety Note:

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have diagnosed digestive conditions or take medications.

Take Control of Your Digestive Health Now

Understanding whether you have IBD or IBS empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. While IBD requires medical management, IBS responds well to dietary changes, stress reduction, and targeted probiotic support.

Don’t let digestive issues control your life any longer. Whether you’re dealing with IBD or IBS, the right probiotic support can make a meaningful difference in how you feel every day.

Ready to start your journey to better digestive health? Check out EndoMune’s probiotic lineup to find probiotic supplements with clinical-grade, multi-strain probiotic formulas clinically proven and designed for real gut health support.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Here are some research links you can trust for more info:

IBD or IBS? Understanding the Difference and How Probiotics Can Help Read More »

What is Colitis?

Digestive Health, Disease / By Staff Writer

Often, this kind of infection occurs when certain bacteria, typically C. diff, outgrow and dominate other bacteria in the gut.

Sadly, the over-prescribing of antibiotics — think ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and amoxicillin — to patients by doctors for unnecessary reasons, especially in hospitals, has created opportunities for drug-resistant infections to harm greater numbers of Americans and trigger C. diff infections. And, this exposure to antibiotics doesn’t include those contained in the flesh foods we eat either. Colitis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, but that’s as simple a definition as you’ll get for this intestinal condition. Its symptoms include cramping, bloating, diarrhea (sometime bloody) and abdominal pain.

Defining it and naming its common symptoms are the easy parts, however.

Unfortunately, people use colitis as a catchall term to describe a lot of different conditions. Plus, colitis comes in many types, including ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis, microscopic colitis and chemical colitis.

Interestingly, a common kind of colitis that you may already be pretty familiar with — but call it something else like food poisoning — is infectious colitis.

Infectious colitis can come from having person-to-person contact (usually dirty hands), consuming foods and water contaminated with E Coli, Salmonella or parasites or having indirect contact with common items you may handle that are unclean (think toothbrushes, eating utensils and clothing).

Another form of colitis — pseudeomembraneous colitis — has risen greatly in popularity over the last decade or so, but you’ve likely heard it called by the name of the bacteria, specifically Clostridium difficile or C. diff infections.

Other factors cited by the Mayo Clinic that may make you more vulnerable to pseudomembranous colitis apart from too many antibiotics:

Receiving chemotherapy
Suffering from colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
Having a weakened immune system
Living in a nursing home
Staying in a hospital

Probiotics to the rescue

The good news about these kinds of infections: Studies have shown how probiotics can dramatically reduce the incidence of diarrhea, among of the key symptoms associated with C. diff infections.

In fact, an extensive 2013 review of 31 studies by the Cochrane Library concluded probiotics significantly reduced the risk of diarrhea associated with C. diff infections by an amazing 64 percent.

So, how do you choose the right probiotic? Cheaper brands of probiotics tend to restrict their blends of beneficial bacteria to one or a few, yet small amounts don’t do much to cultivate the diversity your gut needs to reduce your risk of infections or their symptoms and promote better immune health.

If you’ve been looking for a proven probiotic, consider a product that contains multiple species of beneficial bacteria and a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria already living in your gut, like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic or EndoMune Kids (for kids).

What is Colitis? Read More »

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases Risk of Malnutrition

Children’s Health, Disease, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) increases the risk of malnutrition in both adults and children, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. This incidence, likely due to malabsorption of essential nutrients, was the result of a recent study among a cross-section of adults a pediatric patients.

The study addressed patients with both Ulcerative Colitis and Chrohn’s Disease, with the latter showing higher incidence of malnutrition. Fortunately, the occurrence of malnutrition was low – but this study still indicates the need to monitor nutrients and maintain medical treatment to not only address the medical disease, but its impact on overall health and nutrition.

For more information:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/InflammatoryBowelDisease/16681

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases Risk of Malnutrition Read More »

iPhone to Assist IBD Patients

Disease, Drug interactions / By Staff Writer

Individuals who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s Disease and a variety of other gastrointestinal ailments are often faced with the need to maintain daily bowel logs. Consistent logs help physicians track and monitor a patient’s progress and adjust medication as needed; insufficient data or sporadic logs, however, are often not helpful for monitoring long-term trends.

With this in mind, patients find it burdensome and difficult to remain on track with this daily regimen.

Enter technology…

A new iPhone application, “GI Monitor,” was developed by Brett Shamosh, CEO and founder of WellApps, Inc. For nearly two decades, Shamosh has suffered from IBD, and understands firsthand both the importance and burden of monitoring his daily BMs. In an effort to ease this task, a patient can download this application to their iPhone to monitor bowel movements and other related symptoms. In one organized, simple format, patients can log their individual data digitally, including prescription information.

The iPhone and other mobile devices make sense. Rarely do you leave home without your phone or PDA device; but how often do you want to carry your dietary journal? Shamosh says this was his reason for developing the application.

In the future, Shamosh indicates he would like to track symptoms of all users, and use these results for research benefits. The implications for monitoring trends are promising. As for advances in future releases, since there has been so much interest in not only BM logs but dietary logs, the next release will allow users to input and track dietary intake.

If you currently suffer from a GI ailment, you can download the application for $4.99 at the iTunes Store. The application will also be released in a format compatible with Blackberrys in the near future.

iPhone to Assist IBD Patients Read More »