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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
With so many worsening symptoms that can also be unpredictable, many people wonder if lifestyle modifications like fasting can help manage IBS?
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Overview
Irritable bowel syndrome is a phenomenon in which the patient's intestines have dysfunction and relapse many times. When going to the doctor and doing tests, they can't find any lesions and determine the cause of the disease. In Vietnam, irritable bowel syndrome is also known as spastic colitis, functional colitis or chronic colitis. It is estimated that living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the way of life for 12% of Americans.
Although the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown, those who deal with this digestive (gastrointestinal) disorder know well the symptoms of abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, seizures, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and flatulence.
With so many worsening symptoms that can also be unpredictable, many people wonder if lifestyle modifications like fasting can help manage IBS?
2. Does fasting help with irritable bowel syndrome?
One lifestyle change that is sometimes offered when discussing irritable bowel syndrome is fasting. The two forms of fasting associated with irritable bowel syndrome are intermittent fasting and long-term fasting.
With intermittent fasting, the person alternates between periods of eating and periods of not eating. Long-term fasting involves restricting food and possibly fluids for an extended period of time (i.e., 24 to 72 hours).
According to Ryan Warren, RD, dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine, the benefit or deficiency of IBS fasting depends a lot on the type of IBS as well as the cause. irritable bowel syndrome.
Research on fasting as a way to manage irritable bowel syndrome is scant. Newer studies are needed to really know if fasting has a positive effect on irritable bowel syndrome.
3. How is the locomotor complex related to fasting with irritable bowel syndrome?
The migratory motor complex (MMC) is a distinct pattern of electromyographic activity observed in gastrointestinal smooth muscle during periods between meals, such as during fasting.
Warren says, think of it as the three phases of the natural "cleansing wave" in the upper digestive tract that occurs every 90 minutes between meals and snacks.
Some have suggested that this theory contributes to the positive effects of fasting on irritable bowel syndrome. But while there is a lot of research on the moving motor complex itself, there is little or no scientific evidence to support its role in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Why can fasting improve irritable bowel syndrome?
If a person's symptoms occur as a response to eating — such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea after eating — Warren says that longer fasting periods (or structured meal intervals). architecture) may be helpful in controlling these types of symptoms.
That's because the fasting pattern can help promote the movement of the motor complex, which can improve certain irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, especially when there is an overgrowth of sugar bacteria. bowel is the suspected or confirmed cause.
Warren explains: “Studies show that suboptimal migratory motor complex function is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can often be the root cause. of irritable bowel syndrome.
This optimal mobility is important as it helps to reduce the occurrence of SIBO and excess fermentation of food that can cause irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
Additionally, Warren says that fasting may be associated with favorable changes in the gut microbiome.
5. Why might fasting not help irritable bowel syndrome?
According to Warren, fasting may not help with irritable bowel syndrome in cases where prolonged fasting results in the consumption of more food portions at the end of the fast.
Warren says that, when she works with patients who present with intestinal hypersensitivity, hunger or lack of appetite may be to blame. Certain irritable bowel syndrome symptoms may occur due to an empty stomach in these people. Symptoms may include:
Pain; Abdominal cramps; Nausea; Stomach rumbling; Acid reflux.
6. What are the different ways to treat irritable bowel syndrome?
Because research and scientific evidence on fasting is rare, it's important to consider other ways to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Some approaches include:
6.1 Dietary adjustments One of the first things to start with IBS treatment is diet. Avoiding trigger foods is key to managing symptoms.
Eating smaller meals at regular times is also a popular suggestion, which is the opposite of the idea of fasting. In addition, your doctor may advise you to increase your fiber intake and increase fluids.
6.2 Physical activity Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity can help reduce stress and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
6.3 Reduce stress levels Practice stress-relieving activities, such as deep breathing, relaxation, meditation, and physical activity to relax muscles and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Some people also have success with talk therapy to manage stress levels.
6.4 Drug treatment Your doctor may prescribe medication to help treat irritable bowel syndrome and:
Rest the colon; Reduce diarrhea; Make it easier for you to have bowel movements; Prevents bacterial overgrowth.
In conclusion, alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms by fasting has not been researched and supported by scientific evidence. If you're considering fasting, consult your doctor or dietitian. They can help you decide if this is the right approach for you.
To ensure safety, patients need to go to the hospital for a specialist to examine and accurately diagnose the condition of irritable bowel syndrome. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address trusted by many patients in performing diagnostic techniques for digestive diseases, diseases that cause chronic diarrhea, Crohn's disease... Along with that , at Vinmec Hospital, screening for gastric cancer and gastric polyps is done through gastroscopy with an Olympus CV 190 endoscope, with NBI (Narrow Banding Imaging) function. ) results in clearer images of mucosal pathology than conventional endoscopy, detecting ulcerative colitis lesions, early gastrointestinal cancer lesions...
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References:
Irritable bowel syndrome. (2017). niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome Kanazawa M, et al. (2006). Effects of fasting therapy on irritable bowel syndrome. DOI: 1207/s15327558ijbm1303_4 Lacy, BE, et al. (2017). Rome criteria and a diagnostic approach to irritable bowel syndrome. DOI: 3390/jcm6110099 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Irritable bowel syndrome. (2018). mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016 Menees S, et al. (2018). The gut microbiome and irritable bowel syndrome. DOI: 12688/f1000research.14592.1 Pimentel M, et al. (2002). Lower frequency of the migratory motor complex is found in irritable bowel syndrome subjects with abnormal lactulose breath test, suggestive bacterial overgrowth. DOI: 1023/A:1021039032413 The migrating motor complex. (n.d.). vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/stomach/mmcomplex.html Warren R. (2019). Personal interview.
