IBS is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder with a high global prevalence affecting quality of life. Food, stress, anxiety, intestinal infections, poor gut microbiota, frequent food allergies, exposure to pesticides and environmental toxins, as well as hormonal imbalances and a neglected lifestyle can cause spasms in the intestines resulting in diarrhea or constipation alternatively. Dr. Kousalya Nathan, having been trained and qualified in Natural Nutrition Therapy & Knowledge of Food Composition, believes hypersensitivity can be corrected through bioactive nutrients in food. In addition, typical dietary advice in IBS is focused more on what foods to avoid and often leaves patients with unnecessarily self restrictive diets that could result in nutritional deficiencies. Addressing this common issue, Dr. Kousalya offers a novel personalized IBS Food Plate. She also adds personalized therapeutic lifestyle intervention involving
- breathing dynamics and counseling (to bring down anxiety and stress)
- gut microbiota modification (to lessen the food hypersensitivity)
- diet plans, nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals (to correct nutritional deficiencies and gut alkalinity that occur as a result of chronic irritable bowel)
- personalized activity & hydration plans - to promote regular physical activity and adequate fluid intake
- International IBS Food Pyramid Guideline FODMAP restriction – If IBS symptoms persist even after conventional lifestyle and nutritional intervention is followed, then a secondary line dietary approach will be considered.