Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition. It’s so common that either you or someone you know is likely affected by it. Treatment, however, is often ineffective because it’s not based on the individualized root cause of the condition. IBS is multifactorial, which means that there’s never just one solution that’s going to be a miracle worker for you. One consideration to look into is gut dysbiosis. This condition is characterized by an imbalanced or maladapted microbiome in the digestive tract. It is possible your gut flora are imbalanced -- “good” bacteria are outnumbered by “bad” bacteria, or an opportunistic pathogen has been able to proliferate. The yeast Candida Albicans is one such possibility, and can be a major contributor to gut dysbiosis. Many of the symptoms associated with IBS are also common with those dealing with Candida overgrowth. You are a higher risk from gut dysbiosis due to Candida if you have: - Recently taken broad spectrum antibiotics - Recently taken corticosteroids - Been on the birth control pill - Been treated for cancer recently - Noticed you have a weak immune system - Been eating a diet high in processed foods and low in vegetables Increasingly, the evidence is showing that yeasts can cause IBS symptoms due to the antigens and cross-antigens the yeast produces. Candida Albicans can release over 70 different harmful byproducts into your body! You can attempt to improve symptoms and eliminate pathogenic Candida Albicans in the kitchen by altering your diet to be free from: - Processed sugars and sweeteners -- they are inflammatory and feed the yeast. - Alcohol, which contributes to a leaky gut, and particularly wine and beer which are fermented and contain yeasts. - Dried fruit and fruit juices due to their high sugar content. - Grains, due to their high carbohydrate content which ultimately breaks down into simple sugars, and also gluten which is inflammatory and can contribute to leaky gut. - Starchy vegetables like fruit, potatoes and sweet potatoes. - Legumes such as beans, which have a high starch content and break down into simple sugars, as well has having a high FODMAP content, making them hard to digest. - Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kombucha -- though normally considered healthy, due to their yeast content they may be better left for later, after you’ve eliminated the Candida and can start healing your digestive tract. It is also wise to take an effective anti-fungal like Truehope OLE (Olive Leaf Extract). The polyphenol Oleuropein that makes olive oil so special is the same ingredient that gives olive leaf extract its anti-fungal and anti-Candida properties. The Oleuropein found in Truehope OLE (Olive Leaf Extract) is a liquid extract made from fresh olive leaves, and is standardized to 17% Oleuropein. This concentration allows you to get all the benefits at a greater concentration than you get from the oil. If you have high risk factors for gut dysbiosis that are accompanied with IBS we recommend adding Truehope OLE to your regimen, and considering the dietary changes. It’s also a good idea to track your IBS symptoms to learn which changes are being effective for you.