Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Diverticulous & Metamucil

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Expert: Heather Van Vorous - 12/5/2004


Question
I did pose this question on your IBS Board,  I have been reasonably stable for a while but lately have minor constipation followed by loose bowels.

I have all the tests and know that I have some large diverticula and had polyps removed.  But as I understand it even with loose bowels I am to continue to take Metamucil or equivilant.  Our province here has a 24 hour help line operated by registered nurses and they advise if bowels are too loose to stop fibre until stable.

My physician in effect agrees with you.

If I wish to change my fibre supplement fom Metamucil to Fibrecon or your product will this cause any problems adjusting?

Glad to see you back on this forum again after your previous problems.  We need your expertise.

Answer
Hi - my guess is the nurses who gave you advice aren't aware of the differences between soluble and insoluble fiber, and how they affect the gut. Insoluble fiber could certainly loosen stools, but soluble fiber will not. Soluble fiber just regulates bowel function and helps resolve both diarrhea and constipation.

Psyllium (what's in Metamucil) has both soluble and insoluble fiber. Metamucil also adds a lot of unnecessary ingredients that can bother IBS (artificial flavor, color, sweeteners, citric acid, etc.). Psyllium is also pretty likely to cause bloating and gas for IBS patients.

I'd definitely switch from Metamucil to a pure soluble fiber supplement like Acacia, Benefiber, or Fibercon. You shouldn't have problems adjusting as long as you don't inadvertently increase your dose. There's comprehensive info on switching from Metamucil to Acacia here http://www.helpforibs.com/messageboards/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=d... which should help you.

And please do keep posting on the IBS boards - you'll get a wider range of info and experience than I can offer all by myself!

Best,
Heather

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Heather Van Vorous

Expertise

I can address questions regarding diet, cooking, recipes, and non-pharmaceutical supplements (soluble fiber, herbal, probiotics, etc.) for IBS. I can supply information sources about diagnostic guidelines, symptoms, and the medical pathology of IBS, but I cannot give a diagnosis or analyze test results a patient has obtained. I would prefer not to answer questions about prescription drugs and diagnostic tests. PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME YOUR SYMPTOMS AND THEN ASK ME TO DIAGNOSE YOU!

Experience

I'm the founder and CEO of HelpForIBS.com, an organization dedicated to serving people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. My goal is to offer education, support, and help that allows people with IBS to successfully manage their symptoms through lifestyle modifications.

I'm the author of Eating for IBS, the only explicit dietary guide and cookbook for people with bowel disorders. Eating for IBS then led to my second book, The First Year: IBS, a comprehensive view of the disorder and every way to successfully manage it. Together, these works have become the two best-selling, best-reviewed IBS books in America.

My writing has led to an ongoing Canadian clinical research study of the groundbreaking dietary guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Eating for IBS; this work also led to my inclusion in the 4th edition of Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare. Today's Dietitian has featured my IBS dietary guidelines, and my work has reached gastroenterologists and internists. I'm the author of "Heather's IBS Newsletter", which is free to subscribers and is published twice monthly. As a result, I've become recognized as the foremost patient-expert on IBS in America. I've personally had IBS since age 9.

I now teach classes on managing IBS through lifestyle modifications, I developed the Heather's Tummy Care line of organic medical foods for the dietary management of IBS, and I'm planning to work with corporate HR departments to offer employee IBS education programs. I host Heather Cooks!, the Seattle television cooking show for good digestive health, which is now available on DVD and also on the HelpForIBS YouTube Channel.

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Publications
Canadian Living Magazine
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Eating for IBS excerpts and recipes licensed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals



Education/Credentials
M.A. 1996
B.A. 1992


Awards and Honors
Inclusion in Marquis Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare

Eating for IBS Finalist for an IACP Julia Child Cookbook Award 2001

Eating for IBS #17 on the Library Journal's Cookbook Bestseller list for 2000






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