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IBS alongside other conditions
I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and tend to get kidney stones, cold sores, and thrush. A few months ago, I also had an operation for breast cancer and what I now find is that some things that might be good for one condition exacerbate the other. How do I cope with this?
The Women’s Nutritional Advisory Service (WNAS) knows more about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than anyone else and according to the founder, Maryon Stewart, you can overcome this particular problems completely, prevent kidney stones and then follow a phytoestrogen-rich diet to help prevent the recurrence of breast cancer.
To tackle the IBS, limit your intake of tea, coffee, alcohol and sugar. If your symptoms include constipation, also avoid wheat, oats, barley and rye. Instead, eat alternative grains such as rice, corn, buckwheat and soya. Also take supplements of between 300 and 400mg of magnesium a day, which will also reduce the risk of kidney stones.
If you are prone to diarrhoea, cut out dairy products including milk, cheese, cream and butter, Switch to rice and soya products instead. Concentrate on a diet that is rich in green vegetables, fruit (but not citrus fruits) oily fish and rice. Start taking a vitamin B complex supplement and a course of probiotic acidophilus which will help re-populate the good bacteria in the gut which aid digestion.
Cancer studies in women show that 10 times more women currently die from Breast cancer in England and Wales than in Korea. Japan loses one quarter fewer women to this disease than America. The reason, according to Stewart, lies in phytochemicals. These are the plant foods, which are dietary staples in those countries where cancer rates are low. Phytoestrogens are found in these plants and are also said to help slow down the rate of a disease already diagnosed. Incorporate them into your diet by trying to eat one serving of soya protein every day, plus organic vegetables, seeds and nuts.
*The WNAS runs clinics in London and the South East. For details of these call 01273-487366. Maryon Stewart is the author of Every Woman’s Health Guide and The Phyto Factor, both available by mail order from WNAS.