Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects millions of people worldwide, causing symptoms like bloating, cramping, diarrhoea, and constipation. Each person’s triggers and experience are unique. Understanding what causes IBS and how to manage it naturally can transform your quality of life.
What Causes IBS?
IBS is a functional gut disorder, meaning there’s no structural abnormality causing your symptoms. Instead, it involves:
Gut-Brain Connection Issues: Stress and anxiety can worsen gut sensitivity and motility.
Food Triggers: Common culprits include gluten, dairy, or poorly digested carbohydrates (FODMAPs).
Imbalanced Gut Microbiome: An overgrowth of harmful bacteria or a lack of beneficial bacteria can trigger symptoms.
Inflammation or Post-Infection Damage: IBS often follows food poisoning or other gastrointestinal infections.
Vaccines, Antibiotics & Medications.
Antibiotics: Disrupting the Gut Microbiome
Gut Dysbiosis: Antibiotics, while effective at killing harmful bacteria, are indiscriminate and also kill beneficial bacteria that help maintain gut health. This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of IBS. Studies have found that antibiotic use significantly increased the risk of developing IBS-like symptoms due to disruptions in the gut microbiota they also found that long-term antibiotic use can alter microbial diversity and create an environment favourable to pathogenic bacteria, which may contribute to IBS.
Post-Infection IBS: After an infection treated with antibiotics, some individuals develop Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS). According to a 2010 study in Gut, bacterial infections (like those caused by Campylobacter or Salmonella) followed by antibiotic treatment can lead to lasting gut inflammation. This inflammation damages the gut lining and alters motility, often resulting in IBS symptoms. Studies have shown that antibiotic-associated changes in the microbiome are one of the primary factors contributing to the development of PI-IBS.
What You Can Do: To help restore balance after antibiotic use, incorporate probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods into your diet.
Vaccines and Immune Responses: Impact on Gut Health
Inflammatory Responses: Some individuals experience gut inflammation following vaccination, particularly after live vaccines or those that trigger a stronger immune response. Research found that immune activation from vaccines can alter gut permeability, leading to inflammation. This can exacerbate IBS symptoms.
Gut-Immune Connection: The gut is home to 70% of the immune system, and any stimulation of the immune response can affect digestion. Immune activation can disrupt the microbiome’s balance, influencing intestinal function and triggering IBS symptoms.
What You Can Do: During times of immune challenges, like after vaccinations, support your gut with anti-inflammatory foods, probiotics, and gut-healing nutrients.
Poor Diet and Nutrient Deficiencies: A Recipe for Gut Trouble
Processed Foods: The Standard Western Diet (SWD), rich in processed foods, refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives, is linked to gut issues, including IBS. Research shows this diet high in processed foods and low in fibre contributes to gut dysbiosis, feeding harmful bacteria that lead to bloating, gas, and inflammation—common IBS symptoms.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Key nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for gut health and digestion. Deficiencies in these nutrients can impair digestion and slow the repair of the intestinal lining.
Low Fibre Intake: Fibre is essential for gut motility and feeding beneficial bacteria. Most people, especially in Western diets, do not get enough fibre, which can lead to constipation (a common symptom of IBS) and worsen overall digestive health. Fibre promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and can alleviate IBS symptoms.
What You Can Do: Focus on a diet rich in fibre, especially from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and flaxseeds, are also beneficial. Magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds can help maintain gut motility.
Chronic Stress: The Silent Trigger
While not directly related to medications or diet, chronic stress has been shown to be a major contributor to IBS. Stress activates the gut-brain axis, leading to changes in gut motility, secretion, and sensitivity, which can worsen IBS symptoms.
What You Can Do: Engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga, mindfulness, and breathing exercises.
An unexpected factor in IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is the potential link to vitamin D deficiency. Research suggests that individuals with IBS often have low levels of vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the gut lining, regulating inflammation, and supporting the immune system. While vitamin D is commonly associated with bone health, its importance for gut function is often overlooked, making this deficiency a surprising contributor to IBS symptoms.
Conclusion
The interplay of medications, diet, stress, and immune responses contributes significantly to IBS. Understanding these triggers and taking proactive steps to support your gut health—whether through better diet choices, stress management, or restoring your microbiome—can help manage and potentially reduce IBS symptoms. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine, particularly when dealing with gut-related issues.
If you’re struggling with IBS or curious about how to optimise your health, I’d love to help. Book a free discovery call today to get personalised advice and take the first step toward feeling your best.