Nerve stimulation may be potential therapy for leaky gut diseases

Stimulating the vagal nerve may improve
gut permeability: study

by Anne Crawford

Research by Monash Central Clinical School scientists has suggested that stimulating the vagal nerve transcutaneously improves gut permeability and could potentially counter diseases caused by intestinal barrier dysfunction or ‘leaky gut’.  

Intestinal barrier dysfunction is likely to initiate diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Crohn’s disease.

Enzyme finding is good news for vegetarians with bowel disorder

Legumes, soy milk and nuts may be back on the menu for those
suffering from IBS, thanks to Monash University research.

by Anne Crawford

 A digestive enzyme supplement may hold the key to improving the symptoms suffered by patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when they eat a carbohydrate commonly found in legumes, soy milk and nuts, according to Monash University research.

Researchers in the Central Clinical School’s Department of Gastroenterology have found that oral α-galactosidase co-ingested with foods high in galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) helps reduce symptoms. IBS is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting one in seven Australian adults, characterised by chronic and relapsing symptoms including lower abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, wind, distension and altered bowel habits.

Gut reaction right on hypnotherapy

Dr Simone Peters with one of her supervisors,
Professor Peter Gibson, HOD Gastroenterology

by Anne Crawford

As many as one in five Australians are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), enduring symptoms ranging from occasional abdominal pain to gastrointestinal problems so debilitating that they are unable to work. Monash University researchers demonstrate that hypnotherapy is on par with the popular low FODMAP diet for improvement of IBS symptoms.

30 October Public Lecture "Beating the bloat: the FODMAP diet andIrritable Bowel Syndrome"

Central Clinical School's annual public lecture for 2013 is on one of the most common complaints in our community, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and how diet can be used to control the symptoms.

Participants sought: Does combining hypnotherapy and diet therapieshelp IBS sufferers more?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 15% of the population. While doctors are good at diagnosing IBS, they don't have a very good track record in fixing the problem. An abundance of 'cures' may well be touted in books and on the internet, but few of them have any scientific basis or have been proven to be effective.

FODMAP diet research study for Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers

The low FODMAP diet is the best diet therapy to control gastrointestinal symptoms in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The restriction of FODMAPs aids in preventing these symptoms from occurring. However, some FODMAPs are known to have health benefits as they can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and bacterial fermentation can have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.