People on the low Fodmap diet for irritable bowel syndrome often complain about the lack of flavour in our food, though I completely disagree with that. Most herbs and spices are permitted and they are what usually flavour our food, but in today’s video, I want to address the role of garlic-infused oil in our diet. It comes with a warning. Transcription of Low Fodmap Garlic-Infused Oils We all know that garlic and onions are a problem for those of us with irritable bowel syndrome. They contain fructans and these fructans in garlic and onion are not absorbed by anybody in the population. But they don't feel the symptoms the way we do with our sensitive guts so we have to avoid them. But so many cuisines today are based on onion and garlic from Indian, to Italian, to Mexican. They all seem to have it. Asian foods - Thai foods, Vietnamese foods are all based on, at least, garlic. So, if we want that flavor, we turn to infused oils because the fructans in garlic and onion are not … [Read more...] about Low Fodmap Garlic-Infused Oils
Marijuana and IBS
Marijuana is still a controversial subject but if you are in a country or state where it is legal, then you may find it beneficial when you are going through a rough patch and having a flare up. Watch my video to find out how it can help you. Transcription of Marijuana and IBS Welcome to this video. Today I'm going to talk about marijuana and the effect it can have on IBS. Obviously marijuana is a controversial subject and it's still illegal in many places of the world and in many states in the US, although more and more places are legalizing it for medical use especially. There's been a fair bit of research around marijuana and IBS. And there is some good news. Certainly it's not a cure. We know there is no cure for IBS. But cannabis has a couple of effects on the digestive system which are useful especially if you are having a flare up. For those with IBS with diarrhea, it can decrease the mobility of the bowel. So this is not going to work for those with constipation, who … [Read more...] about Marijuana and IBS
IBS and Alcohol
Alcohol is beneficial for relaxation, and we know stress plays a major part in our IBS symptoms. However, alcohol is also a gut irritant and could worsen symptoms. I do feel there is a happy medium though, and I explain the ins and outs of alcohol consumption on the low Fodmap diet in this video. Transcription of IBS and Alcohol Today, I'd like to talk about IBS and alcohol. Alcohol is a gut irritant. It's toxic, and anything that's toxic that goes into our digestive system is going to cause some kind of reaction. As we know, our digestive systems overreact to stimuli, so it also overreacts to alcohol. So, the very best situation is to drink none at all. Now, that might not be a reality because some people really benefit from the occasional drink to relax them. And as we know, stress is really bad for IBS, so anything that can relax you has a beneficial effect. So, what alcohol can you drink? You can drink wine as long as it's dry - red or white. Wine, as we know, is made up … [Read more...] about IBS and Alcohol
Which Flours are Low Fodmap?
The low Fodmap diet for irritable bowel syndrome is complex, and one of the confusions can be around gluten-free versus low Fodmap. In particular, which flours are safe for us? Can we have any gluten-free flour or are some of them high Fodmap? In this video, I clear up this question. Transcription for Low Fodmap Flours Welcome to your weekly video. Today I'm going to talk to you about flours and which ones you can use and which ones you can't. Of course, I'm talking about the flours you use in baking, not in those that grow in the garden. Now there are several flours that we can use and several that we can't use as well. Normally when you go gluten-free, you have to use a flour mix - a few different ones together which have different properties. Otherwise, you're not going to get an end product that sticks together because the gluten in wheat flour is what makes it stick together, so we have to substitute that. If you buy a gluten-free flour - a processed one from the … [Read more...] about Which Flours are Low Fodmap?
The Causes of Itching
Itchy skin can drive us crazy and we would do anything to get to the bottom of the cause. It’s very easy to get fixated on what you think may be the cause and to not look more widely for the real culprit. In this video, I discuss two different kinds of itching and the possible causes of each kind. Transcription of The Causes of Itching Today I want to talk about itching. There can be two sorts of itching. There's the itching where you feel it on your skin and you get some relief from scratching it, and there's also an internal itching. I want to talk first about the external itching, and of course there are a myriad of reasons why you could have itching - including the medications you're taking, many of them have side effects of itching. In fact, I remember once when I had a really bad back, I was taking Ibuprofen every day for several days and I broke out in a rash. There's also external causes like plants and the pollen in the air. The fabrics you wear touching your skin … [Read more...] about The Causes of Itching
Fodmap Malabsorption versus Intolerance
Some confusion exists around the terms malabsorption, intolerance and allergy. They are quite different and in particular, we should never confuse Fodmap intolerance with Fodmap malabsorption. One is very serious while the other is much less so. In this video, I explain the difference between the three terms. Transcription of Fodmap Malabsorption versus Intolerance Today I want to talk to you about the difference between malabsorption, intolerance and allergic. There can be a little confusion around these. We malabsorb FODMAPS, which means we absorb a certain amount but not beyond that certain amount, and that's individual for all of us. I've had some questions in the club about things like mouthwash that has sorbitol in it or other products. I think meat being cured with celery juice was one, and anyway, we can have a quarter of a stalk of celery. But when there's just those traces of something that's on the not permitted list, that's going to be fine because we will absorb … [Read more...] about Fodmap Malabsorption versus Intolerance
