Can IBS or Digestive Problems Cause Weight Gain?

There are few things more frustrating than indigestion problems, especially when there's a possibility that it could lead to weight gain.

One of the more common forms of indigestion is known as IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome and it causes abdominal pain, gas, bloating and constipation or diarrhea.

It's interesting to note that two of the main causes of IBS are SIBO or Small Intestine Overgrowth and Leaky Gut.

If you're gaining weight and suspect that your digestion or irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are the culprit, you may be right.

From an Ancient Medicine perspective when the digestive system can't digest any food eaten it immediate creates a toxic substance called ama. (pronounced arma)

If the elimination organs of the bowel, kidneys or skin can't remove this toxic ama it accumulates as fat tissue especially around the tummy.

From a western medicine viewpoint there are five gastrointestinal endocrine cell types that produce hormones regulating appetite and food intake and are typically abnormal in IBS patients. Based on these hormonal abnormalities, one would expect that IBS patients to have increased food intake and body weight gain.

So what is the connection between IBS and weight gain?

When dealing with the symptoms of IBS, individuals often make changes to their diet that limit or include certain foods. For example, an effort to reduce gluten may lead to an increased consumption of unhealthy fats.

Excess gas or bloating can also lead to weight gain.

Depending on the cause, it could be a sign that your body is not digesting food properly; or you may eat too fast and swallow excessive air as a result.

Some may think of IBS as a disease, but it's not. It's actually referred to as a syndrome because it consists of a group of symptoms occurring together:

• Constipation
• Abdominal Pain
• Mucus present in the stool
• Diarrhea

What Causes IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is very widespread with literally millions of new cases reported every year. Despite how often it occurs, there are no definite causes, but many theories.

1. Low gastric acid production
2. Chronic maldigestion
3. Food allergen impact on bowel absorptive surfaces
4. Bacterial overgrowth or imbalances (dysbiosis)
5. Pathogenic bacteria, yeast or parasites and related toxic irritants
6. As mentioned, SIBO or Leaky Gut can cause IBS.
7. Certain trigger foods can cause IBS to flare up.

If you've ever eaten spicy food, chocolate or caffeine and suffered from the symptoms above, they could be triggers for you. Spicy food such as chili may affect the pathogenesis of abdominal pain and cause other symptoms.

Additional triggers include:

• Medication – taking antibiotics or NSAIDs or antidepressants can bring on an onslaught of IBS symptoms.
• Menstruation –some women have reported that their symptoms can get worse during menstruation because of hormonal challenges.
• Eating on the go – Dietary convenience can lead to indigestion problems.
• Genetics – IBS can also be traced back to family history.
• Stress – Stress is known to alter the brain-gut axis and contribute to IBS.

Treating IBS Naturally

When it comes to IBS, natural remedies are ideal.

With diet and stress being huge contributors to IBS and the weight gain associated with it, it is beneficial to look at ways to improve your diet. This will benefit you in two ways: relief from IBS symptoms and a healthier weight.

Peppermint Oil – Peppermint oil is a well-known treatment for IBS. If you're wondering how to treat IBS pain, this could be a solution. It works by calming the muscles in the digestive system and allowing the gas to move through.

Probiotics – Your digestive system is home to billions of little bacteria that are protecting your immune system. These bacteria are considered good because they keep your gut balanced, and make sure that any bad bacterium stays in check.

Acupuncture – This is fast becoming one of the most popular therapies for IBS. This method works by clearing blockages in your energy or Chi.

Digestive Enzyme Therapy – Digestive enzymes and weight loss go hand in hand. These helpful enzymes assist with breaking food down within the digestive system. They aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats and also help to alleviate pain and muscle spasms associated with IBS.