IBS Trigger #1 -

Too Little Hydrochloric Acid In The Stomach

Digestion of food begins with a delicate balance of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in your stomach.

Hydrochloric acid plays a critical role in the stomach, aiding in the digestion of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, as well as maintaining a pH level (acidic) in your stomach that helps to kill off bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Research has shown that one lesser known but common trigger of IBS can be too little hydrochloric acid in the stomach (hypochlorhydria), which can set off a series of problems including:

• Stomach doesn't properly digest proteins, having a far reaching impact on everything from collagen production, elastin, hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, muscle, and much more.
• Potentially sets off an allergic reaction to partially digested proteins.
• Not enough hydrochloric acid to kill microorganisms in the food we eat, causing yeast, bacterial, viral, parasitic, and protozoal infections and more, with accompanying constipation, diarrhea, gas, etc.
• Minerals like calcium and magnesium are not properly absorbed.

By increasing your levels of hydrochloric acid, you may not only speed digestion and help kill off potentially harmful organisms before they reach your small intestine, but you can also improve the function of the digestive enzymes as well as nutrient absorption and synthesis!

IBS Trigger #2 -

Inflammation of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Inflammation of the gut lining occurs for many reasons. Poor diet, food allergies, stress, drugs, antibiotics, candida (yeast), and fatty acid deficiencies can all be triggers.

And this inflammation is the first stage in a vicious cycle that sets off a wide variety of health problems ranging from slightly annoying to life-threatening. Why?

Because when the gut lining becomes inflamed, cells separate and begin “leaking” toxic substances into your body that would normally be blocked.

And when this occurs, your immune system and liver are forced to work overtime to fight back against these foreign substances. Here's a look at the cycle:

Stage 1 -- Inflammation of the Gastrointestinal Tract Lining

Disruption of the gut lining occurs for many reasons. Poor diet, food allergies, stress, drugs, antibiotics, candida (yeast), and fatty acid deficiencies can all be triggers of this vicious cycle. Inflammation occurs.

Stage 2 -- Food Intolerances and Hypersensitivity

Once the gut is inflamed, the GI tract can become hypersensitive to food -- and can even start having an allergic response to the microflora contained within the gut itself. This may show itself with symptoms that include poor digestive response (constipation, diarrhea, gas, & bloating), low energy, skin conditions like eczema, allergic responses, and more.

Stage 3 -- Toxic Substances Begin “Leaking” From The GI Tract

This inflammation can also result in damage to the desmosomes that adhere cells together to form the delicate wall of your GI tract. Larger molecules are able to escape and “leak” through into the body, and this triggers an immune response as your body fights back against these toxic substances.

Stage 4 -- Poor Nutrient Absorption

At the same time your gut is leaking toxins into your body due to this increased permeability and inflammation, it may also be absorbing less nutrients -- and processing your food less efficiently.
And this can result in nutrient and mineral deficiencies.

Stage 5 -- Liver Becomes Stressed

Your liver acts as the second line of defense against any toxins that aren't eliminated by the colon. When your colon isn't functioning properly to remove toxins, your liver must work overtime, resulting in hepatic stress. Symptoms include constipation, distended abdomen, indigestion, muscles aches, dry eyes, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and more.

Stage 6 -- Liver Begins Excreting Toxic Bile

If your liver is forced into working overtime to remove the toxins that your colon isn't catching,
this can result in the liver excreting “toxic bile”, rich in free radicals, that then, in turn, wreaks havoc on the protective mucosa lining of the intestinal tract, which begins yet another cycle!

IBS Trigger #3 -

Hypersensitive Stress Response

While it's not yet fully understood, medical studies to date have conclusively proven that
there is a link between stress, anxiety, depression, and IBS.

More specifically, evidence is piling up showing that IBS sufferers frequently have abnormal communication between the brain and gut...

... As well as difficulties metabolizing serotonin, a neurotransmitter most commonly associated with quality sleep and positive mood, but also critical for peristalsis (intestinal muscle contractions that move food through your GI tract).

An estimated 95% of your serotonin receptors are located in your intestinal tract!

And research has shown that IBS sufferers may have extra sensitive pain receptors in their gut, which may be directly related to low levels of serotonin.

So while it's helpful to make lifestyle changes to reduce your overall stress levels, to combat your potentially low serotonin uptake, it can also be worthwhile supplementing to promote increased serotonin production!

IBS Trigger #4 -

Unbalanced Good Vs. Bad Bacteria In The Gut

Intestinal bacteria perform important functions, including:

• Synthesizing roughly half a dozen vitamins, supplementing those that we get from our diet.
• Helping to eliminate more dangerous bacteria and pathogens like Salmonella.
• Stimulating your immune system. (Roughly 60% of the body's immune system is found in the small intestine!)

Yet medical science has been steadily piling up evidence, showing that the population of friendly bacteria in your digestive system is frequently not enough for optimal health, allowing “bad bacteria” to take over and create an imbalance.

And when these “bad bacteria” overtake your digestive system, a host of digestive problems can occur including bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, and more!

• Inflammation can occur, overwhelming your body's ability to effectively metabolize, synthesize, and absorb nutrients.
• It can lead to toxins “escaping” or “leaking” through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract into the blood stream.
• It can trigger a host of other health problems that can include, at best, weight gain, fatigue, and chronic pain... or, at worst, debilitating, life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

The solution? Consider supplementing probiotics, which medical science is proving play a critical role in helping to lower our susceptibility to various intestinal disorders... including IBS!

IBS Trigger #5 -

Irregular Contractions Of The Digestive Tract

As part of normal digestion, food is moved through your digestive tract with a series of wave-like, rhythmic contractions of the gastrointestinal tract walls, called peristalsis.

Peristalsis aids in nutrient absorption and digestion by bringing undigested material in contact with the colon walls as well as by pushing undigestable material towards the rectum.

When IBS is present, though, these contractions may be too fast (hypermotility) or too slow (hypomotility) resulting in either diarrhea or constipation, often with painful cramping.

Reducing emotional stress and avoiding trigger foods can be important steps in regulating these muscle contractions.

However, a daily supplementation of fibre, nutrients, minerals and herbals that support the normal function of the GI tract can be extremely beneficial, too, as your digestive system may be compromised to the point that you're not getting maximum nutritional benefit from your diet alone!