1 – IBS Explained
"The spirit of a warrior is not geared to indulging and complaining,
nor is it geared to winning, or losing.
The spirit of a warrior is geared only to struggle,
and every struggle is a warrior's last battle on earth.
Thus the outcome matters very little to him.
In his last battle on earth a warrior lets his spirit flow free and clear.
And as he wages his battle, knowing that his will is impeccable,
…a warrior laughs and laughs."
don Juan Mateus
from Separate Reality
by Carlos Castaneda
2 – IBS Explained
I dedicate this book to all who are suffering from IBS.
Within are the tools you need for your journey to freedom.
3 – IBS Explained
IBS Explained
Brian C. Dobson
http://www.ibsexplained.com
 Version 1.3 | August 2013 
4 – IBS Explained
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
6
First-Aid for IBS
7
Foreword
8
Chapter One - Introduction
9
So why did I write this book?
9
What causes IBS?
9
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
10
The commonly accepted definitions of IBS
11
The ROME III definitions of IBS
12
IBS defined accurately
13
Chapter Two - A batch process model of the small intestine
15
Overview of the digestive system of a human
15
The small intestine
16
The duodenum
17
The jejunum
18
The ileum
18
The MMC (Migratory Motor Complex)
19
Summary
20
Chapter Three - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
21
Which parts of you cause IBS?
21
Control processes for the digestive system
22
Nervous system control of the gall bladder
22
Nervous system transport control in the small intestine
23
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – bile deficient; IBS-B
27
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – constipation predominant; IBS-C
29
IBS-C (duodenum stuffed)
29
5 – IBS Explained
IBS-C (jejunum stuffed)
31
IBS-C (duodenum & jejunum stuffed)
33
The King’s six IBS-C costumes
35
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – diarrhoea predominant; IBS-D
37
IBS-D (ileum stuffed)
37
IBS-D (ileum & jejunum stuffed)
39
IBS-D (ileum, jejunum & duodenum stuffed)
41
The King’s six IBS-D costumes
43
IBS-A (duodenum & ileum stuffed)
45
The King’s two IBS-A costumes
45
The King’s fifteen IBS costumes
47
Assumptions
47
The IBS fashion show
47
The simple clothes
47
The scientific clothes
48
Chapter Four - Factors modifying IBS symptoms
51
Food factors
51
Food fibre
53
Lifestyle factors
57
IBS factors
58
Factors impacting the rest of the body
62
Medical factors
64
Chapter Five - Healing Irritable Bowel Syndrome
65
ONE - Change your diet
65
TWO – Practise a relaxation therapy
66
THREE – Educate yourself
66
The correct diet for a human
67
6 – IBS Explained
Acknowledgements
 Patricia – my mother, has listened, encouraged me whenever I was
flagging, and acted on my advice. She is unique.
 Alex – my father, did the best that he could. His gift is priceless.
 Catherine – my grandmother, struggled with IBS for much of her life.
I was not able to help but I remember.
 My Ancestors – who have worked hard and done their best. Their
endeavours are appreciated. I live as a result of their efforts.
 Carol – whose ground breaking research helped me start this project.
 Wai – a scientist of the first order. She has challenged me and many
others with her simple ideas and research.
 Dr Weston A Price – a superb scientist who has been ignored by his
peers. He stands head and shoulders above them.
 Dr Jan Kwasniewski – a wise and courageous healer in touch with his
patients.
 Celine – who has encouraged me with dedication while battling IBS.
 Bill & Brenda – who have given me clues, support and put up with my
erratic behaviour with patience and understanding.
 Paul & Lois – who have given shelter through storms that threatened
to sink the ship. I am still afloat.
 Alwyn – who has given me free rein to follow my heart.
 Dr D B A Silk – who has worked a long time to understand IBS. This
should help.
 Dr E B Blanchard – his research into IBS signposts the way for seekers.
 University of Auckland – who have provided a haven, and enabled me
to search the scientific archive. I am indebted.
 The Internet – this giant garbage dump of human dreams has hidden
within it, if you look hard, a few golden nuggets. Thanks.
7 – IBS Explained
First-Aid for IBS
Start with Relaxation Therapy and eat the Easy Anti-IBS Diet
or the Easy Palaeo Diet at http://www.ibsexplained.com
Then read the rest of this book at your leisure.
8 – IBS Explained
Foreword
This book contains the results of a four decade research program. I have
tried to write as simply as possible but understanding the complex of
autonomic nervous system controllers governing the small intestine is
challenging. IBS creates a complex web of symptoms, but once you have
overcome your illness with the combination treatments of Diet and
Relaxation Therapy, it becomes a teacher instead of a torturer.
The treatment programs have been well tested.
They remove most symptoms and turn IBS into a minor complaint.
-|The theory presented here has been arrived at by observation of the
symptoms, and it may be wrong in some respects. However, it predicts
all the nuances of IBS, and is likely to be very close to the target.
-|A scientific paper has been published. You can access it via the Science
Direct Database;
The small intestine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):
A batch process model.
Medical Hypotheses (2008) 71, 781–787.
Brian C. Dobson
The theory has also been published in a book called Constipation –
Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment published by Intech in 2012. You may
download an electronic copy from;
www.intechweb.org
-|-
9 – IBS Explained
Chapter One Introduction
So why did I write this book?
Well, I did not start out to write a book. IBS-D had afflicted me since
age 14, and by age 50 it was severe. I decided to take responsibility for
my health. No-one else was able to help. I put myself on a diet of fruit
juice & raw fish, and started.
IBS is the illness that does not kill, but will not let you live.
Step one was a journal where everything was written down. The food
that I ate and the resulting IBS symptoms were recorded. Second was a
series of experiments with food. It was easy, I HAD to do it. Clues
trickled in. I put together a theory, tested it, modified it and tested it
again. I made good progress with the treatment programs. The material
for a book was in my head.
What causes IBS?
At first I could find no sensible answers. There were many people with
opinions, but they did not stack up. There were IBS papers, books and
hundreds of websites that were largely rubbish. Their often conflicting
advice was useless.
10 – IBS Explained
I started looking at the evidence. Other sufferers described their
symptoms. Clues were provided by friends, colleagues and researchers.
The work of Carol Sinclair (www.lowstarchdiet.net), Wai Genriiu
(www.waisays.com), Dr E B Blanchard, and Dr D B A Silk, was
illuminating. Eventually I arrived at hypothetical model of the small
intestine controlled by five divisions of the autonomic nervous system. If
faults occur in these controllers, symptoms identical to those of IBS are
produced. A scientific paper started the writing process.
At sixty years old, after being ill much of my adult life, I am now
completely relaxed from many years of practising Relaxation Therapy,
and slim, strong & very fit from eating the Optimum Palaeo Diet. My
personal performance continues to improve and goals formerly beyond
me are in sight. In short, I’m smoking.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS is when your guts don’t work. Constipation, or diarrhoea or both are
torturing you. The doctor tests and checks everything.
“I cannot find anything wrong” he/she says, “you have IBS”.
This is how doctors diagnose IBS. When they can find nothing amiss but
something obviously is; then you have IBS.
“Here are some pills. Take as directed and they may help. Go and read
all the advice on IBS and stop eating the foods that seem to cause
problems”.
Some of you may have steatorrhea (fat in the stool) and so the doctor
will look for gall stones to see if there is a blockage in your bile duct.
There are often no gall stones but the surgeon whips out your gall
bladder anyway. This may stop the steatorrhea but you still have the
other symptoms.
You go away and try to cope. The pills do not help much, and you are
often ill and miserable. You may have constipation, bloating, cramping,
diarrhoea, all four, or even none of these and instead, a host of other
nebulous ailments. Since your guts don’t work, you are often afraid to
eat. You may lose weight, and suffer from malnutrition. You try herb &
fibre supplements and have laxatives and/or anti-diarrhoea medicines at
hand. A host of secondary symptoms afflict you. You may have a
selection from; depression, headache, hallucinations, guts ache, lack of
energy, weight loss, skin infections, back pain, aching limbs, athlete’s
foot, ingrown nails, and other minor ailments. You are not dying but
some days you feel like you are!
11 – IBS Explained
This book explains how IBS is created by your autonomic nervous system,
and tells you how to relax and feed yourself so that your symptoms
largely disappear. You will feel great, be able to throw the medicines
away, and stop visiting the doctor. Occasionally you will slip up and eat
something you should not. The symptoms will reappear. After doing this
a few times you will soon learn that your IBS healing diet is much better
than ‘normal’ food.
The commonly accepted definitions of IBS
You may know that there are three main types of IBS. The symptoms can
vary from mild & intermittent, to severe & continuous. Everyone has a
different collection of maladies, but a selection from constipation,
diarrhoea, borborygmi (gurgling), bloating, anal irritation, and cramping
are always present. We take a brief look at each one of the three types:
1. IBS-C or constipation predominant IBS; constipation afflicts you and
there are many variations on this theme from slight to severe.
Laxatives are your best friends. You may get up, eat breakfast, and
immediately get severe bloating and/or cramping. Borborygmi
(gurgling) may tag along for the ride, together with stress, depression
and lots of other symptoms. When it is bad, you stay at home.
2. IBS-D or diarrhoea predominant IBS; You get up in the morning and
everything in your digestive system comes out fast (the morning
rush). Your BMs contain raw enzymes that attack the skin around the
anus. Borborygmi, depression and possibly cramping afflict you. Many
other minor symptoms may occur. In the middle of an important
meeting, suddenly your bowels want to go and they are insistent. You
cannot ignore them! Afterwards, you become very hungry and eat
like a horse but oh dear, it can all come out again the next morning
(or even sooner).
3. IBS-A – alternating constipation & diarrhoea IBS; I call this type
‘double-trouble’. You suffer from both constipation and diarrhoea.
They alternate irregularly. It is as if both IBS-C and IBS-D have
combined to afflict you (and they have!). Bloating, borborygmi, and
depression are your daily fare. Cramping and anal irritation are
possible. It is very unpleasant. Just add IBS-C & IBS-D together, and
you get IBS-A.
12 – IBS Explained
The ROME III definitions of IBS
Every few years a series of committees made up of medical professionals
(Gastroenterologists – or gut specialists) gets together to look at some of
the myriad diseases that afflict the human gut. They call themselves
ROME and their latest publication is called ROME III.
ROME III – the Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders… is a large book that
defines some disorders of the human gut and the symptoms that go with
them. You can find out more at www.degnon.org
They consider that there are four types of IBS. Here (briefly) are their
definitions:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is recurrent pain or discomfort for at least 3
days per month in the last 3 months associated with two or more of the
following:
1. Improvement following a bowel movement (BM).
2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool.
3. Onset associated with a change in appearance of the stool.
• IBS-C is hard or lumpy stools forming a minimum of 25%, and loose or
watery stools a maximum of 25%, of BMs.
• IBS-D is loose or watery stools forming a minimum of 25% and hard or
lumpy stools a maximum of 25%, of BMs.
• IBS-M (mixed) is hard or lumpy stools forming a minimum of 25% and
loose or watery stools a minimum of 25%, of BMs.
• IBS-U (unspecified) is an abnormal stool and something is wrong but
they cannot fit the symptoms into any of the first three.
I find that these definitions are not helpful, and advise that purchasing
the ROME III book will not tell you much. This is because the medical
profession does not know what causes IBS and the above definitions
reflect this.
13 – IBS Explained
IBS defined accurately
I have identified four types of IBS. I know the likely cause of IBS and can
accurately define the four types. I will be brief here as full explanations
are provided later in the book.
• IBS-C; occurs when you have constipation and NO diarrhoea. Yes, the
presence of one and the absence of the other define this type. You
may have many other symptoms as well, but these are the two that
matter.
• IBS-D; occurs when you have diarrhoea and NO bloating. You have the
morning rush but never a swollen belly. Again, a myriad of other
symptoms may occur but these two are the ones that matter.
• IBS-A; occurs when you have both diarrhoea AND severe bloating.
Diarrhoea alternates irregularly with constipation, and many other
symptoms may occur, but the first two are the ones that matter.
• IBS-B or bile deficient IBS; my research has identified a fourth type
of IBS that has not been defined before. This may be occurring when
you get steatorrhea (fat in the stool). Standard treatment for this
type of IBS is removal of the gall bladder, as insufficient bile is being
released. IBS-B occurs (most of the time), together with one of the
first three types, and it makes their symptoms much worse. BUT
steatorrhea can occur for other reasons, and this makes IBS-B
difficult to spot. If you have steatorrhea, severe IBS, or have lost
your gall bladder to the surgeon, then you may have IBS-B.
Yes, it’s quite simple (except for IBS-B), but things are about to get
complicated. I am now going to attempt to describe for you how
autonomic nervous system control faults can create all the IBS
symptoms. You may not understand my careful explanations, but even if
you cannot, all you need to do is to eat one of the diets, relax, and your
IBS symptoms will vanish.
14 – IBS Explained
15 – IBS Explained
Chapter Two A batch process model of
the small intestine
I present the Model that was created in order to explain how the
symptoms of IBS are caused. A chemical engineering background will
give you a head start! Please refer to the diagram of the human
digestive system opposite.
Overview of the digestive system of a human
We start at the orange blob labelled mouth. Here you put food & drink
in, taste it and chew it. Saliva is secreted and mixed with the food.
Saliva contains enzymes which start the digestive process. Soon you
have a semi-liquid mixture that you can swallow. This is the only part of
the digestive process (apart from the anus), where you have voluntary
control.
When swallowed, food goes through the valve at the back of the throat,
travels down the tube called the oesophagus, and then through another
valve into the stomach.
In the stomach food is turned into a soup that contains hydrochloric
acid. The acid splits complex sugars into simple sugars that can be
absorbed. More enzymes are added. The soup is churned to break up
lumps, and it is then pumped into the first part of the small intestine,
through another valve, in spurts. It is important to grasp that the
stomach operates as a pump. It squirts food soup into the small
intestine under pressure.
16 – IBS Explained
In the small intestine the acidified food soup from the stomach has
chemicals added to it that neutralize acids (bicarbonate), emulsify fats
(bile salts) and digest food (enzymes). These are mixed in and food is
transported along the intestine. Nutrients are absorbed and then the
digestive chemicals are removed and recycled to be used again for your
next meal. Yes, we are environmentally tuned!
The food soup (now digested) reaches the end of the small intestine
after about 2 days. The ‘valve at the end’ is normally closed, but in the
morning, soon after you arise, this valve opens. This is when adrenal
hormones are released to kick-start your internal systems. Overnight
when adrenal hormones fall to a baseline level it becomes tightly shut.
When the valve opens, food soup moves into the large intestine (brown).
Here over the next 1-2 days it is dehydrated and prepared for release
(with the assistance of bacteria).
Phew, was that too hard? If there was anything you did not understand,
please read it again until you do. The next sections are much more
challenging!
The small intestine
The stomach pumps spurts of food soup into the small intestine under
pressure. The small intestine then processes the food soup in batches. It
is not a continuous process but a batch process. There are three sections
to the intestine, they are;
1. The duodenum comes first. It receives spurts of food soup from the
stomach and processes them one at a time.
2. The jejunum is in the middle. It receives small batches of food soup
from the duodenum, and processes a whole meal by adding the small
batches together.
3. The ileum is the final section. It receives batches of food soup from
the jejunum, and processes a whole day’s food as one batch. It is
followed by the large intestine (colon).
17 – IBS Explained
The duodenum
The first section of the small intestine is a short tube about 25cm long
that receives acidified food soup from the stomach. The duodenum has
its own brain transport controller (I), with a unique neuro-transmitter,
and it processes food soup in small batches as it receives them from the
stomach. It has two ducts opening into it, one from the gall bladder for
delivering bile, and one from the pancreas for delivering enzymes &
bicarbonate. A valve, covering the opening of these two ducts, prevents
backflow of food soup into them. When a batch of acidified food soup is
pumped into the duodenum, special cells in its walls release these
hormones into the bloodstream;
•
•
•
Cholecystokinin (CCK); a mixture of three hormones. One travels to
the brain where it is detected by a small intestine brain controller
(CCK) that is likely to be located in the brain stem, outside the
blood-brain barrier. This controller then sends a nerve signal to the
muscle that empties the gall bladder. The correct amount of bile is
added to the food soup. Bile salts emulsify fats. That is; fats become
tiny droplets that are suspended in the soup just as they are in an
egg yolk. If this is not done then they cannot be digested, and you
will suffer from steatorrhea (fat in your stool). CCKs also stimulate
the pancreas to release lipase enzymes, and inhibit gastric
emptying.
Glucose-dependent insulinotrophic peptide (GIP); travels to the
pancreas where it stimulates the release of insulin.
Secretin; travels to the pancreas where it stimulates the release of
enzymes and enough bicarbonate to make the acidic food soup
neutral to alkaline. Pancreatic enzymes cannot digest food in acid
conditions. It also inhibits gastric emptying.
Sensory cells in the duodenum wall tell the duodenum brain transport
controller (I) that food is present. It then sends nerve signals to the
muscles in the walls of the duodenum. These mix food soup and
digestive chemicals together, by transporting them backwards and
forwards. The controller remains switched off if no sensory input is
received.
Within a few minutes you have a well-mixed, neutral to slightly alkaline
batch of food soup. The fats are emulsified and sufficient enzymes are
present to digest all nutrients. Now the controller moves the soup slowly
into the next section of the small intestine and the duodenum is ready
to receive another batch (spurt) from the stomach pump.
18 – IBS Explained
The jejunum
The second section of the small intestine is about two to three metres
long. It has its own brain transport controller (II), with a unique neurotransmitter. It receives small batches from the duodenum that are
travelling slowly, and adds them all into one larger batch. If for some
reason, the soup is traveling ‘too fast’, then the jejunum controller
refuses to accept it.
Once the soup is in the jejunum, sensory cells in its wall send nerve
signals (input) to the jejunum brain transport controller. The controller
then sends nerve signals (output), to the muscles in the jejunum wall.
These control mixing and transport in the jejunum. If no input is
received then the controller remains switched off.
In the jejunum food is digested and nutrients are absorbed. The
controller varies the rate of nutrient uptake by mixing the soup and
moving it backwards and forwards. It receives instructions from other
parts of the brain on how fast to do this. This ensures that when your
body needs energy, the jejunum can provide extra in a hurry. When you
are resting, the controller slows down nutrient absorption.
When nutrient absorption is complete the soup is at the end of the
jejunum and the controller moves it slowly into the third section.
The ileum
The third and last section of the small intestine is about four to six
metres long. It has its own brain transport controller (III), with a unique
neuro-transmitter. It receives batches of food soup from the jejunum
that are travelling slowly. If the food soup travels ‘too fast’, then the
ileum controller refuses to accept it.
Once the soup is in the ileum, sensory cells in its wall send nerve signals
to the ileum brain transport controller. The controller then sends nerve
signals to the muscles in the ileum wall. These control mixing and
transport in the ileum. If no input is received then the controller
remains switched off.
19 – IBS Explained
The controller manages the recycling of bile salts & enzymes by mixing
the soup and moving it backwards and forwards. The recovered bile salts
are sent back to the gall bladder. The recovered enzymes are sent back
to the pancreas. These digestive chemicals must be recycled as they
take a lot of resources to manufacture, and the body cannot make them
quickly enough to replace the loss of more than a small amount each
day. The soup is also partially dehydrated. When the recycling and
dehydration process is complete, food soup is at the end of the ileum
ready for release into the large intestine (colon).
The ileum cannot move the food soup into the colon until the ‘valve at
the end’ opens. The controller is not able to open this valve itself. The
enteric nervous system controls the valve. Levels of adrenal hormones
increase just after arising in the morning and the valve opens. This is
why we often have a BM first thing in the morning. Adrenal hormone
levels also increase when we are subject to stress. This is why we
sometimes lose control of our bowels when given an awful fright.
Hormone levels are lowest at night when you are asleep, and the valve
becomes firmly closed.
Once the soup is moved into the colon, the small intestine controllers
have nothing more to do with it. The enteric nervous system now takes
over, and if the food soup contains high levels of enzymes or fat, then
the colon is evacuated immediately.
The MMC (Migratory Motor Complex)
When there is no food in a section of the small intestine, its brain
controller remains switched off. The enteric nervous system now applies
a slow peristaltic wave that moves from the beginning to the end of the
empty section. This is called the MMC. It is like a street sweeper that
works after hours to clean up rubbish.
When a brain controller fails, and food is present, then the MMC moves
the food soup instead of the brain. Movement is in the forward direction
only, and there is no control of mixing or timing. The speed depends on
the type of food eaten and the state of the autonomic nervous system.
Fibre from cereals (bran) and the external coats of legumes, causes
speeds that are ‘too fast’. Stress raises the levels of adrenal hormones,
and this causes the enteric nervous system to make the MMC go ‘too
fast’.
20 – IBS Explained
Summary
Understanding the control systems of the small intestine is vital. Each of
the three sections has a brain transport controller with a unique neurotransmitter. The duodenum processes food soup from the stomach in
small batches and then passes them slowly to the jejunum. The jejunum
processes a whole meal in one batch and then passes it slowly to the
ileum. The ileum processes meals from an entire day in one batch, and
then passes them to the large intestine when you get up in the morning.
The MMC sweeps the intestine when brain control is absent. There is a
fourth brain controller to manage addition of bile salts from the gall
bladder.
The jejunum and ileum controllers will only accept food when it is
travelling slowly. If it goes ‘too fast’ then they refuse to accept it. The
controllers operate only when they receive sensory input from the walls
of the intestine. When there is no input they stay switched off. The
enteric nervous system then takes over and applies the MMC. If food is
present when the MMC is in control, then cereal fibre, whole legume
fibre, and stress, cause ‘too fast’ speeds.
You can see why the sizes of each part of the intestine are so different.
The duodenum processes a single spurt from the stomach, so it is only
25cm long. The jejunum processes a whole meal and so it is 2-3m long.
The ileum holds food from an entire day, and so it is 4-6m long. The
intestine is flexible and can stretch lengthways and sideways to
accommodate more food when necessary. The batch processes can take
longer if necessary. This happens when you cram in too much food, or
eat too often.
Congratulations. If you have understood everything you will make an
excellent Chemical Engineer! But if anything is not clear please revise
Chapter Two as many times as you need to before continuing. It is
essential to fully understand how your small intestine works before
proceeding any further. You need this understanding for Chapter Three.
-|Next I expose IBS. Yes, naked IBS!
You get decades of research in one chapter. Phew.
-|-
21 – IBS Explained
Chapter Three Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Well here we are, about to strip off the clothing from the body of the
King (IBS). Yes, let’s see the Full Monty. We are going to see him naked,
in all his glory and his misery.
Which parts of you cause IBS?
*** The small intestine, pancreas and gall bladder cause IBS symptoms ***
Let’s look at a few pieces of evidence;
1. Some with IBS-C get severe swelling of the upper abdomen
commencing a few minutes after starting to eat a breakfast
containing cereal fibre. The problem is at the beginning of the
digestive system and further, it is probably at the beginning of the
small intestine. That is the most distance that the food could have
travelled in such a short time.
2. When someone suffers from IBS-D or IBS-A their BMs contain raw
enzymes, yellow-orange bile, and possibly undigested fat. Now the
small intestine should have digested all fats, and removed most
enzymes & bile salts. It is not working correctly, and diarrhoea
occurs when raw enzymes & undigested fats enter the colon.
3. Some people have much worse IBS symptoms than others do.
Difficulty digesting fats is a common symptom. The gall bladder is
not releasing sufficient bile salts.
4. Some with IBS have difficulty digesting acid foods, fats & animal
foods. The pancreas is not releasing enough bicarbonate to
neutralize acids. Protease enzymes do not work in acid conditions.
Now the doctor has possibly pushed a video camera into your small
intestine & colon, and had a look. He could not find anything wrong. It
all looks normal. So logically; the control systems of the small intestine,
pancreas & gall bladder are causing the IBS.
22 – IBS Explained
Control processes for the digestive system
In Chapter Two, the parts of the nervous system that control the
digestion were described. I will briefly summarize them;
Control of the digestive process is largely automated. There are five
controllers that do this task. They are;
•
•
Four brain controllers that oversee the functions of the small
intestine, and the gall bladder.
The network of nerves in your guts called the Enteric Nervous
System. It operates independently of the brain (most of the time). It
controls the oesophagus, stomach, all the valves and the large
intestine. It provides a backup program for the small intestine called
the MMC. This operates when the small intestine brain controllers
switch off.
Now we look at the control process in a little more detail;
The four brain controllers operate independently and each one has a
unique neuro-transmitter. This is a chemical that nerve cells within the
controller use to communicate with each other. It ensures that each
controller can perform its duties without interference from adjoining
parts of the brain.
The nervous system has lots of these neuro-transmitters. Many of them
are unknown to science. One that has been well studied is dopamine.
Absence of dopamine causes Parkinson’s disease. Many neurotransmitters are heterocyclic amines (HCAs). We will learn more about
HCAs later on in the book.
When no food soup is in the small intestine then no input signals go to
the brain controllers, and they stay switched off. When they are off, the
enteric nervous system controls the intestine. It has a maintenance role
and sweeps it clean with a special program called the MMC.
Nervous system control of the gall bladder
When sensory cells in the walls of the duodenum detect fat, they
release CCK hormone. This travels via the bloodstream to the chemical
controller in the brain, and the controller then sends output to the
muscle that empties the gall bladder. Sufficient bile is added to the
duodenum to emulsify all fats. Failure of this controller results in
insufficient bile being added and all fats are not digested.
23 – IBS Explained
Nervous system transport control in the small intestine
When sensory cells in the walls of the small intestine, detect food soup,
they send signals to the three brain transport controllers. These switch
on and produce an output signal that goes to the muscles that control
transport in the small intestine. Each brain controller sets the correct
speed for your digestive system, mixes food soup, moves it in both
directions, and does everything at the right speed & time. The enteric
nervous system takes a back seat and shuts up. Easy!
BUT if there is a fault somewhere and no sensory input gets to the brain,
or the brain does not work, or no output gets to the muscles lining the
intestine, then the enteric nervous system takes over. It applies the
MMC maintenance program, whose only direction is forward, with no
mixing or timing, at a speed set by the food you are eating and stress.
Here is a table showing the speed of the intestine, when it contains
food, and is controlled by the enteric nervous system;
Food
Cereal flours
Whole cereals
Polished cereals
Whole legumes
Speed
Too fast
Too fast
Too fast
Too fast
Split hulled legumes (dahls)
Vegetables
Fruits
Animal foods
Nuts & seeds
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
*** The speed of the MMC is ‘too fast’,
when you eat cereals and the outer coats of legumes ***
and further;
*** This ‘too fast’ speed triggers Irritable Bowel Syndrome ***
So how are the brain controllers prevented from doing their job?
24 – IBS Explained
Here are six possible ways in which this could happen;
1. Each brain controller has a unique neuro-transmitter that enables its
nerve cells to communicate with one another. If a neuro-transmitter
is missing then no output is produced by that controller. Neurotransmitters can be absent when a baby is born, or a gradual loss can
occur as the individual ages. If a neuro-transmitter is missing at
birth, then symptoms start immediately solid foods are fed. When a
gradual loss occurs, the symptoms can start at any time of life and
are intermittent at first. Later they become continuous and then
later still, severe. A neuro-transmitter deficiency is a common cause
of IBS.
2. You may have eaten toxins that have destroyed sensory cells in the
lining of your small intestine. Now your brain controller(s) receive no
input from a part (or parts) of the intestine, and they stay switched
off. Here IBS develops immediately after the digestive insult.
Because the faulty sensors can be anywhere at all, symptoms will
vary considerably from person to person, and the timing of symptom
onset will be different from neuro-transmitter deficient IBS.
Sometimes the sensory cells that release hormones from the
duodenum are destroyed. This can reduce the amount of bile
entering the intestine (IBS-B), or reduce the amount of insulin
released from the pancreas (diabetes type II), or reduce the amount
of bicarbonate released from the pancreas. Now the small intestine
becomes acidic, and enzymes cannot work. Typical symptoms are
sensitivity to food acids and difficulty digesting fats no matter how
they are eaten. This is a common cause of IBS and it is the most
difficult one to treat.
3. You may have suffered from a bowel infection that has injured
sensory cells (post infectious IBS) in the walls of the small intestine.
The consequences are similar to reason 2 above. This type of IBS is
common and it can often (over time) be repaired. I recommend a
Palaeo diet to enable your immune system to quickly heal the
damage.
4. When a baby is born, nervous system connections from the brain
controllers to the small intestine are not yet in place. These develop
within in the first two years of life. If something prevents these
connections from establishing, then the small intestine brain
controller cannot control some or all of the small intestine when food
is present. Here IBS occurs when a baby is first fed solid foods.
25 – IBS Explained
5. Nervous system connections to the small intestine enter & exit the
spinal cord through the neck region. Pressure on these nerves may
cause interruption to sensory input from the small intestine to the
brain, or interruption to motor signals from the brain to the small
intestine. Here IBS can occur intermittently. This fault may be able
to be cured by manipulation of neck vertebrae followed by treatment
with regular neck exercises and a Palaeo diet.
6. During abdominal surgery, input nerves to the brain, or output nerves
to the small intestine, may be cut. This prevents the brain from
controlling parts of the intestine. Here IBS first occurs immediately
following surgery.
7. Any other fault that interrupts communication between the brain and
the small intestine.
But (you ask);
• Why are there so many symptoms, and types of IBS?
• Why does a ‘too fast’ speed cause constipation, bloating and
cramping?
Very good questions, I could have thought of them myself!
OK, now we are going to look at each type of neuro-transmitter
deficient IBS in turn and see how each one is created, when one or more
brain controllers are unable to do their job. The key factor here is that
there are FOUR controllers and only one has to go stop working to cause
IBS. We actually get fifteen flavours of this type of IBS with different
combinations of faults.
Are you ready?
-|-
26 – IBS Explained
27 – IBS Explained
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – bile deficient; IBS-B
We are going to look at this type first, because it dramatically affects
the severity of the other types when it is present.
•
•
•
WHEN; sensory cells in the duodenum wall fail to release CCK
hormone OR;
The neuro-transmitter in the CCK brain controller is missing OR;
The nerve from the CCK brain controller to the gall bladder is cut.
THEN; The signal to the muscle that empties the gall bladder fails, and
insufficient bile is added to the duodenum.
Now the enteric nervous system releases small amounts of bile from the
gall bladder, in response to the following;
 Food volume
 Plant fibre
 Milk proteins
 Cooked animal proteins
 Fruit acids
 Some herbs & spices
BUT this amount is usually not sufficient to emulsify all the fats in your
food. Extra bile needs to be added by the chemical controller.
Any fats that are not emulsified cannot be digested. They coat the
inside of the small intestine, hinder nutrient absorption, hinder bile salt
and enzyme recycling, and give you severe indigestion. When the
undigested fats arrive in the colon, the enteric nervous system
immediately evacuates it, and you get a loose, grey BM that floats.
Now this type of IBS sometimes occurs on its own, but it usually occurs
together with one of the other types. The symptom severity of IBS-C,
IBS-D & IBS-A is increased when IBS-B is present.
This is one of the reasons why IBS can be just annoying in one person,
and incapacitating in another. The severely ill person will have IBS-B.
Often the doctor will recommend gall bladder removal. Bile now flows
directly into the intestine, instead of the gall bladder, and your IBS-B
symptoms may possibly cease.
Next IBS-C stripped naked…
28 – IBS Explained
29 – IBS Explained
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – constipation predominant; IBS-C
Three combinations of transport controller faults cause IBS-C, and each
combination can have IBS-B occurring in tandem with it. This creates a
total of six types of IBS-C.
IBS-C (duodenum stuffed)
When the output from the duodenum transport controller fails, and food
is present, the enteric nervous system takes over control of the
duodenum and applies the MMC. Soon after someone with this problem
starts to eat a breakfast that contains cereal fibre, the stomach begins
pumping food soup into the duodenum. The enteric nervous system now
moves the soup at high speed to the end of the duodenum, and then
tries to move it into the jejunum. The jejunum transport controller says
to itself… ‘Hot diggitty dawg, things are going way too fast here, I had
better put up a road-block’. So it contracts the beginning of the
jejunum and blocks the intestine. I call this road-block, the ‘IBS
Barrier’.
Wow! Look what happens. The stomach does not know about the roadblock and keeps pumping breakfast in. The duodenum blows up like a
football and the upper abdomen bulges out (severe bloating). The
enteric nervous system tries hard to move the soup through the Barrier
(cramping). Back pressure in the duodenum keeps the valve covering the
outlet from the gall bladder and pancreas closed, and insufficient
chemicals are added (problems digesting fats). If IBS-B occurs in
tandem, symptoms are worse!
To relieve this problem, the duodenum needs to be slowed down, and
the IBS Barrier at the start of the jejunum, relaxed. This happens
overnight (if you can wait), when the autonomic nervous system falls to
a low level. But if you change your diet, and learn to relax, then
symptoms will cease. I tell you how to do this later on.
Symptom Summary
Immediate severe bloating and possibly cramping occur in the upper
abdomen, when a breakfast is eaten that contains cereal fibre.
Difficulty digesting fats and constipation occur, but there is NO
diarrhoea. If IBS-B is present symptoms are severe. Gall bladder removal
does not stop difficulty with fat digestion, regardless of whether IBS-B
occurs.
30 – IBS Explained
31 – IBS Explained
IBS-C (jejunum stuffed)
When the output from the jejunum brain controller fails, and food is
present, the enteric nervous system takes over control of the jejunum
and applies the MMC.
Soon after a person with this problem starts to eat a breakfast that
contains cereal fibre, the stomach begins pumping food soup into the
duodenum. The duodenum processes a batch of soup and then moves it
slowly into the jejunum. The enteric nervous system now moves the
batch at high speed to the end of the jejunum.
It then tries to move food soup into the ileum but the ileum controller
says to itself; ‘Gee whizz, things are going much too fast here, I had
better put up a road-block”. So it contracts the start of the ileum and
blocks the intestine. Erecting an ‘IBS Barrier’ is just part of its job.
Look what happens! The stomach and duodenum do not know about the
road-block and keep on processing breakfast. When the enteric nervous
system moves food soup at high speed to the end of the jejunum, this
causes borborygmi (gurgling) and possibly cramping. When the enteric
nervous system tries to force food soup through the Barrier, this can also
cause cramping. The jejunum bloats a little, but this is not easy to see.
If IBS-B occurs then you get severe symptoms and difficulty digesting
fats.
To relieve this problem the jejunum needs to be slowed down, and the
IBS Barrier at the start of the ileum, dismantled. This happens
overnight, when the autonomic nervous system relaxes. But if you
change your diet, and learn to relax, then symptoms will cease. I tell
you how to do this later.
Symptom Summary
Delayed borborygmi, and delayed mild bloating in the mid-abdomen,
that is hard to detect, possibly with cramping, start a few minutes after
a breakfast that contains cereal fibre begins. Constipation occurs, but
there is NO diarrhoea. If IBS-B is present symptoms are severe with
difficulty digesting fats. Gall bladder removal fixes any fat digestion
problems.
Progress, we make progress!
32 – IBS Explained
33 – IBS Explained
IBS-C (duodenum & jejunum stuffed)
When the output from the duodenum and jejunum brain controllers
fails, and food is present, the enteric nervous system takes over control
of the duodenum & the jejunum, and applies the MMC.
Soon after a breakfast that contains cereal fibre starts, the stomach
begins pumping food soup into the duodenum. The enteric nervous
system now moves the food soup at high speed to the end of the
jejunum.
It then tries to move the soup into the ileum but the ileum controller
mutters to itself; “Gee whizz, things are going way too fast here, I had
better put up a road-block”. So it contracts the start of the ileum and
blocks the intestine with an ‘IBS Barrier’.
Look what happens! The stomach does not know about the IBS Barrier
and continues to pump in breakfast. The sound of borborygmi is
immediate. The duodenum and jejunum bloat, but this is not easy to see
(mild bloating that is hard to detect). Cramping may occur when the
enteric nervous system moves food soup ‘too fast’, and tries to force it
through the Barrier. When IBS-B occurs in tandem, severe symptoms and
difficulty digesting fats occur.
To relieve this problem both the duodenum & jejunum need to be
slowed down, and the IBS Barrier at the start of the ileum, dismantled.
This will happen overnight, when the autonomic nervous system relaxes.
But if you change your diet, and learn to relax, then symptoms will
cease. I tell you how to do this later.
Symptom Summary
Immediate borborygmi, and immediate mild bloating in the midabdomen that is hard to detect, possibly with cramping, start when a
breakfast that contains cereal fibre begins. Constipation occurs, but
there is NO diarrhoea. If IBS-B is present, symptoms are severe with
difficulty digesting fats. Gall bladder removal fixes any fat digestion
problems.
We have stripped the King’s six IBS-C costumes off!
Here they are; displayed for you to admire;
34 – IBS Explained
35 – IBS Explained
The King’s six IBS-C costumes
Opposite is a table summarizing the six types of IBS-C.
You can see that all six forms have two things in common…
1. At least one of the two brain transport controllers for the duodenum
and jejunum has failed.
2. The ileum brain transport controller is fine.
Because of this you get an ‘IBS Barrier’ that causes constipation. It is
impossible to have diarrhoea as a symptom, because the ileum
controller works.
So when you have
Constipation and NO Diarrhoea
it’s IBS-C
Even though you may have lots and lots of other symptoms,
these are the only two that matter.
-|Yeeee ha! You’ve done it.
I hope you understood, but even if you did not, to get rid of your IBS,
all you need to do is learn to relax and eat one of the diets.
Next IBS-D revealed…
Man these guys’ guts are speedy.
-|-
36 – IBS Explained
37 – IBS Explained
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – diarrhoea predominant; IBS-D
Three combinations of transport controller faults cause IBS-D, and each
combination can have IBS-B occurring in tandem with it. This creates a
total of six types of IBS-D.
IBS-D (ileum stuffed)
When the output from the ileum brain transport controller fails, and
food is present, the enteric nervous system takes over control and
applies the MMC. When a breakfast containing cereal fibre is eaten, the
stomach, duodenum and jejunum work fine. BUT about 2-4 hours after
the meal, borborygmi (gurgling) start. The food has arrived at the ileum
and the enteric nervous system now moves it at high speed to the end of
the small intestine, and then tries to move it further into the colon;
•
•
If the valve that terminates the small intestine is shut tight (this
happens at night), and the pushing of the enteric nervous system is
weak, food soup stays at the end of the ileum. When you arise the
next morning, the valve opens, and a ‘morning rush’ begins.
If the pushing from the enteric nervous system is strong enough,
food soup moves through the valve straight away, and the colon is
evacuated immediately.
Cramping may occur when the ileum moves food soup ‘too fast’ and the
colon evacuates at speed. The skin around the anus is irritated when
raw protease enzymes are present in the BM. If diarrhoea continues
unabated, then all supplies of chemicals can be lost. This makes the
symptoms worse and causes difficulty digesting fats. If IBS-B occurs in
tandem then severe symptoms and difficulty digesting fats occur
anyway. To relieve this problem the ileum needs to be slowed down,
and the valve at the end of the small intestine kept firmly shut (most of
the time). I tell you how to do these two things later.
Symptom Summary
Approximately two to four hours after a breakfast containing cereal
fibre, borborygmi start. Cramping is possible. Diarrhoea occurs a few
hours later OR next morning immediately on arising. Cramping may
happen when the colon evacuates. Irritation of the skin around the anus
is present. Continual diarrhoea & IBS-B cause severe symptoms and
difficulty digesting fats. Gall bladder removal fixes any problems
digesting fats (IBS-B), if diarrhoea is controlled.
38 – IBS Explained
39 – IBS Explained
IBS-D (ileum & jejunum stuffed)
When the output from the jejunum & ileum brain transport controllers
fails, and food is present, the enteric nervous system takes over control,
and applies the MMC.
On eating a breakfast containing cereal fibre, the stomach and
duodenum work fine, but a few minutes after the meal commences,
borborygmi (gurgling) start. Food soup has arrived at the jejunum and
the enteric nervous system now moves it at high speed to the end of the
small intestine. This may take a few hours. The borborygmi are
symphonic and cramping may occur. The enteric nervous system then
tries to move the food soup further into the colon;
•
•
If the valve that terminates the small intestine is shut tight (this
happens at night), and the pushing of the enteric nervous system is
weak, food soup stays at the end of the ileum. When you arise the
next morning, the valve opens, and a ‘morning rush’ begins.
If the pushing from the enteric nervous system is strong enough,
food soup moves through the valve straight away, and the colon is
evacuated immediately.
Cramping may occur when the colon evacuates at speed. The skin
around the anus is irritated when raw protease enzymes are present in
the BM. If diarrhoea continues unabated, then all supplies of chemicals
can be lost. This makes the symptoms worse and causes difficulty
digesting fats. If IBS-B occurs in tandem then severe symptoms and
difficulty digesting fats occur anyway.
To relieve this problem both the jejunum and ileum need to be slowed
down and the valve at the end of the small intestine kept firmly shut
(most of the time). I tell you how to do these two things later.
Symptom Summary
A few minutes after a breakfast containing cereal fibre begins;
borborygmi and possibly cramping start. Diarrhoea can occur later in the
day, OR the next morning immediately after arising (the morning rush).
Cramping may happen when the colon evacuates at speed. Irritation of
the skin around the anus is present. Continual diarrhoea and IBS-B cause
severe symptoms and difficulty digesting fats. Gall bladder removal fixes
any fat problems (IBS-B), but only if diarrhoea is controlled.
40 – IBS Explained
41 – IBS Explained
IBS-D (ileum, jejunum & duodenum stuffed)
When the output from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum brain
transport controllers fail, and food is present, then the enteric nervous
system assumes transport control of the whole of the small intestine,
and applies the MMC.
Immediately after a breakfast containing cereal fibre begins, borborygmi
(gurgling) start. Food soup has arrived in the duodenum and the enteric
nervous system now moves it at high speed to the end of the small
intestine. This may take many hours. The borborygmi are orchestral and
cramping may occur. The enteric nervous system then tries to move the
food soup further into the colon;
•
•
If the valve that terminates the small intestine is shut tight (this
happens at night), and the pushing of the enteric nervous system is
weak, food soup stays at the end of the ileum. When the valve
opens next morning on arising, a ‘morning rush’ begins.
If the pushing from the enteric nervous system is strong enough,
food soup moves through the valve immediately, and the colon is
evacuated.
Cramping may occur when the colon evacuates at speed. The skin
around the anus is attacked by the raw protease enzymes present in the
BM. If diarrhoea continues unabated, then all supplies of bile salts &
enzymes can be lost, and the symptoms are severe with difficulty
digesting fats. If IBS-B occurs in tandem then severe symptoms and
difficulty digesting fats are present anyway.
To overcome this problem the duodenum, jejunum and ileum need to be
slowed down and the valve at the end of the small intestine kept firmly
shut (most of the time). We find out how to do these two things later.
Symptom Summary
Very soon after starting a breakfast containing cereal fibre, borborygmi
(gurgling), and possibly cramping begin. Diarrhoea can happen later in
the day OR the next morning immediately after arising (the morning
rush). Cramping may occur when the colon evacuates. Irritation of the
skin around the anus is present. Continual diarrhoea & IBS-B worsen the
symptoms, and cause difficulty digesting fats. Gall bladder removal fixes
any fat problems (IBS-B), but only if diarrhoea is controlled.
42 – IBS Explained
43 – IBS Explained
The King’s six IBS-D costumes
Opposite is a table summarizing IBS-D.
You can see that all six subtypes of IBS-D have these two things in
common.
• The ileum brain transport controller does not work.
• When two or more transport controllers are defective, then they
control adjoining sections of the intestine.
An IBS Barrier cannot be created, so it is impossible to have bloating as
a symptom. There can be constipation caused by food factors, but no
bloating.
So the diagnostic symptoms for IBS-D are…
Diarrhoea and NO bloating.
So even though you may have lots and lots of other symptoms,
only these two matter.
-|Congratulations!
You have finished the IBS-D master-class.
I hope you understood, but even if you did not, your IBS symptoms can
be got rid of by learning to relax and eating one of the diets.
Next IBS-A… these guys have double trouble!
44 – IBS Explained
45 – IBS Explained
IBS-A (duodenum & ileum stuffed)
This type of IBS is caused by one combination of brain controller faults,
and it can also have IBS-B in tandem with it. This creates a total of two
subtypes. IBS-A is actually a combination of two types that we have
already met. These are;
1. IBS-C (duodenum stuffed) and
2. IBS-D (ileum stuffed).
There is one difference from the explanation for IBS-D (ileum stuffed).
Borborygmi will start at a different time. It now begins 2-4 hours after
the jejunum Barrier relaxes. If you read the explanations for these two
subtypes and then combine them; it’s not nice is it?
The symptoms of constipation and diarrhoea, alternate with the level of
the autonomic nervous system. If it is at a high level for long enough,
the Barrier will persist until dehydration causes constipation. If it
returns to a low level quickly, and releases the Barrier, food soup will
arrive at the end of the ileum before morning, and either; move through
the valve immediately or cause the ‘morning rush’.
Symptom Summary
Very soon after starting a breakfast containing cereal fibre, severe
bloating and possibly cramping begin. Two to four hours after the
jejunum Barrier relaxes, borborygmi and possibly cramping can
commence. Constipation and diarrhoea alternate irregularly. Irritation
of the anal area and difficulty digesting fats occur. Gall bladder removal
does not stop difficulty with fat digestion, regardless of whether IBS-B
occurs.
The King’s two IBS-A costumes
Both bloating and diarrhoea occur as symptoms. There will be
constipation too, but this can also be caused by food factors.
So the diagnostic symptoms for IBS-A are;
Bloating and diarrhoea
Even though you may have lots of other symptoms, these are the only
two that matter.
Well you have seen it all. The King is totally stripped bare.
46 – IBS Explained
47 – IBS Explained
The King’s fifteen IBS costumes
Wow! What we have here is the King’s fifteen costumes stripped off and
laid out for you to see. As the researcher, I find them fascinating. As the
seriously ill man, I would like to burn the bastard at the stake.
Instead I am asking for your help. Let’s consign his wardrobe to a
museum, and dress him in better clothes. I have designed new
costumes, and present them for you to try on, later in the book.
Note; these fifteen costumes are those of neuro-transmitter deficient
IBS. Other causes of IBS will cause different combinations of symptoms,
with different timing.
Assumptions
The hypothesis fleshed out in this chapter has been put together over
many years, from observations of the symptoms of all IBS types. It
accounts for the major symptoms, BUT I have had to make a few
assumptions. Future research will confirm or deny the hypothesis.
The healing programs you will meet later have been designed & tested
in the field, and most of the bugs ironed out. They do not depend in any
way on the hypothesis, are working well now, and will be improved in
the future.
The IBS fashion show
The simple clothes
You have IBS because your small intestine, and/or gall bladder and/or
pancreas do not work properly. Now there is nothing physically wrong
with them. You actually have an autonomic nervous system problem.
The defects are in the brain controller(s) for the intestine and gall
bladder, OR in the nervous system connections between; the brain, the
intestine, and the gall bladder, OR in the sensory nerve cells in the
intestine wall.
The doctors cannot find these faults so they give up and tell you that
you have IBS. "Sorry, cannot do anything for you mate, but it’s not going
to kill you. It’s probably all in your head". It may well be in your head
but it does not let you live either.
48 – IBS Explained
For many of us, the faults cannot be fixed, and because there are five
nervous system controllers for the small intestine and gall bladder, AND
as many as four of them can be defective, it gets complicated. Yes,
there are lots of types of IBS and lots of symptoms.
Awful eh?
But NO! You can turn all this to your advantage and learn to make
friends with IBS. You do this by relaxing and only eating foods that agree
with him. When he is your friend, he becomes very useful, but if you
fight him, he will bash you unmercifully.
The scientific clothes
The small intestine has three sections; in order, the duodenum, the
jejunum and the ileum. Each part of the intestine has a brain controller
to manage the transport of food soup. There is a fourth brain controller
for managing the addition of bile from the gall bladder.
Failure of the brain controllers can be due to;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A neuro-transmitter deficiency.
A toxic insult to the walls of the small intestine.
An infection in the small intestine.
Surgical damage to the connections between the intestine, the gall
bladder and brain.
A failure to develop the nervous system fully in infancy.
Pressure on nerves in the neck area.
Anything preventing communication between the brain, the small
intestine, and the gall bladder.
The enteric nervous system (the nerves in the gut) has a backup role. It
transports food soup when any brain controllers fail. It cannot do the
same job as the brain and instead just moves food along with a program
called the MMC. When you eat cereal fibre and fibre from the outer coat
of legumes, or eat foods not matched to your constitution, climate &
lifestyle, or get stressed, the MMC goes ‘too fast’.
When a brain controlled section follows a section controlled by the
enteric nervous system, then ‘too fast’ speeds are sensed by the brain
controller and it blocks the intestine with an IBS Barrier. It is
programmed to manage the speed of food so that it goes slowly. The IBS
Barrier causes constipation, bloating and cramping.
49 – IBS Explained
When the final section of the intestine (ileum) is controlled by the
enteric nervous system, there is no brain controlled section following it.
Now food soup is moved ‘too fast’ into the colon. The food can contain
undigested fats, and raw enzymes. These cannot be tolerated in the
colon and it is evacuated immediately (diarrhoea).
The control systems of the small intestine are parts of the autonomic
nervous system. This is influenced by stress. When stress is high the
autonomic nervous system is at a high level, and when stress is low it is
at a low level.
There are natural daily fluctuations in the level of stress. It is highest in
the morning soon after arising, causing the valve at the end of the small
intestine to open (the morning rush), and strengthening the IBS Barrier
(bloating and cramping). Stress can drop to a low level overnight, when
the valve at the end of the small intestine closes firmly, and any Barrier
relaxes.
IBS causes stress. Stress is also caused by modern lifestyles. Stress raises
Most IBS cannot be cured, BUT you can remove all of your symptoms by
relaxing and changing your diet.
?So why me. Why do I have IBS?
Well the reasons are simple;
• If you have a neurotransmitter deficiency, then your parents did not
create you with a full complement of neurotransmitter
manufacturing cells in one or more of the small intestine brain
controllers. There may be a genetic component. A diet of cereals,
legumes and junk food has then worn out the controller(s).
• You may have damaged the sensory nerve cells in the walls of your
small intestine with toxins or an infection. Now no signals get sent to
the brain controllers, so no output is possible.
• The surgeon may have severed motor nerves from the brain to the
small intestine, and/or sensory nerves from the intestine to the
brain, during an operation. Now the brain controller(s) cannot
control the intestine.
50 – IBS Explained
• Your nervous system may not have developed completely when you
were an infant. This will be due to a developmental, genetic or
environmental defect. Either your parents were genetically
defective, or malnourished, or your mother failed to breastfeed you
for long enough, or the diet that she fed you initially was poor, or
some other reason.
• Your neck vertebrae may be placing pressure on nerves connecting
the brain and the small intestine. If you suspect that this is the
problem a Chiropractor or Osteopath may be able to help. Following
treatment to realign vertebrae, you will be given exercises to
maintain their new positions. A Palaeo diet is also advisable. Your IBS
symptoms will cease following manipulation if this is the cause.
Cereals and legumes are bad foods for humans to eat. You, your parents
and your ancestors have been eating the wrong food. The human body is
not designed for these foods. Humans are designed to eat fruits,
vegetables, nuts, seeds and animal foods.
? I am ruined aren’t I?
Yes and No. There is usually no cure, but by relaxing and changing your
diet you can get rid of the IBS symptoms. This book tells you what to do.
-|Far out… well since you are here,
I guess that there is a little understanding?
A good sleep may straighten things out if you still have blanks,
and of course you can read it all again!
-|-
51 – IBS Explained
Chapter Four Factors modifying IBS symptoms
IBS produces a vast range of symptoms, and the symptoms have a large
range of variability. You have just viewed all of the Kings costumes and
it was a bit complicated wasn’t it? Add in all the factors in this chapter
and well, complicated is an understatement.
Food factors
The speed set by the enteric nervous system in the defective part(s) of
your small intestine, depends on the type of food that you eat, and
stress.
The higher the speed, the stronger any Barrier, and the more severe the
borborygmi, bloating & cramping are. A strong Barrier produces a
complete halt for long periods, causing dehydration. This makes the
later processes of the small intestine harder to complete and they take
longer. The longer the Barrier lasts, the worse the constipation is.
At highest speeds a defective ileum pushes food through the valve at the
end of the small intestine, immediately. At lower speeds the food soup
waits at the end of the ileum until the valve opens in the morning.
Cramping occurs when a Barrier is formed with its associated bloating.
The ‘too fast’ section of the small intestine attempts to move food
though the Barrier. The faster the speed, the harder it tries, and the
stronger the Barrier becomes. Cramping occurs when the muscles lining
the intestine make a big effort to achieve the ‘too fast’ speed. Loud
borborygmi accompany this cramping. When the colon receives food
from the ileum that contains digestive enzymes and/or fat, it evacuates.
High levels of fat & enzymes cause faster evacuations that are often
accompanied by cramping.
52 – IBS Explained
Fast food
The speed of the small intestine, when the enteric nervous system is in
control, is increased by;
•
•
•
•
Eating the insoluble fibre (bran) in many cereals. Milling creates
fragments of bran, and the amount & shape of them determines the
speed. Wholemeal flours (machine ground) contain the largest
amounts of sharp fragments, and cause the fastest speeds.
Eating the insoluble micro-crystalline fibre in the outer coat of
legumes. Some legumes have lesser amounts of this fibre in them
(e.g. moong beans).
Eating too much pungent, sour and salty food in hot & wet weather.
Eating too much bitter food in cold & dry weather.
Slow food
The speed of the small intestine, when the enteric nervous system is in
control, is decreased by;
•
•
•
•
•
Cooked proteins… when you heat foods containing protein (except
dairy protein) above 40 degrees Centigrade, chemicals called
Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are formed. These have an anaesthetic
action in the digestive system.
Dairy proteins… contain opioid peptides (short chains of amino
acids), that slow the digestion. Pasteurized dairy foods are also very
cold & sweet and slow the digestion.
Gluten from cereals… contains opioid peptides that slow the
digestion.
Eating modest amounts of bitter & astringent in cold & dry weather.
Eating modest amounts of pungent food.
Bad Food
Many foods available in a modern supermarket are unfit for human
consumption. They are bred to look good, have a long shelf life, and be
available out of season. Their nutritional qualities are poor. I will use
the example of the modern varieties of apple; these have nice shiny
exteriors and keep for 12 months in a low temperature, controlled
atmosphere store. However when you cook them they stay hard for 30
minutes or more. When these apples are eaten raw they are practically
indigestible, and are likely to trigger IBS symptoms. Contrast these with
a heritage variety like Granny Smith which cooks to a soft pulp in 5
minutes or so. These can be easily digested when eaten raw, in season.
53 – IBS Explained
Unseasonal Food
Eating out of season food is likely to trigger IBS symptoms. Again I use
the example of the apple. A tree ripened Granny Smith apple will digest
easily when eaten raw in late summer/autumn soon after harvesting. If
eaten raw later in winter it is likely to cause IBS symptoms. Instead it
should be cooked and eaten hot. Then it will cause no problems.
A tree ripened banana will digest easily when eaten raw in the tropical
region where it grows. When unripe bananas are harvested, stored for
months in a refrigerator while being transported to temperate or even
arctic regions, ripened artificially, and then eaten raw, they are likely
to cause IBS symptoms.
Malnutrition
Modern diets cause malnutrition. Processed foods are low in nutrients.
Cereals, legumes, vegetables, and cooked foods eaten without sufficient
fat, depress the immune system. If IBS occurs as well then the
malnutrition is aggravated, and it produces symptoms that are many and
varied. Perhaps the worst one is trace mineral depression.
Trace minerals
When a high starch, low fat, neolithic diet is eaten, essential trace
minerals are supplied by the bacteria that digest residual starch &
protein in the colon. These bacteria turn indigestible trace minerals into
a form that can be absorbed. When IBS occurs, food may not reach the
colon in a form that can be transformed, or colonic bacteria may be
expelled before they can make trace minerals. Lack of these minerals
causes depression, malnutrition, and aggravates IBS symptoms.
Food fibre
When the enteric nervous system controls movement of food soup in the
small intestine, the transport speed varies according to the type of food
eaten. There is a range of fibre types in food. Some types stimulate the
enteric nervous system to set a ‘too fast’ speed that causes IBS
symptoms. Some types stimulate the enteric nervous system gently, the
speed is normal, and IBS symptoms are absent.
54 – IBS Explained
A table of the transport speed of foods, when the enteric nervous
system is in control of the small intestine, follows. The speed depends
on how the food is processed, prepared, cooked, presented and when it
is eaten! In other words expect a range of speeds within ‘too fast’ AND
within ‘normal’.
Food
Speed
Food
Speed
Wheat flour
Oatmeal
Barley (pearl & flour)
Rye flour
Whole brown rice
Polished rice
Corn meal
Millet meal
too fast
too fast
too fast
too fast
too fast
too fast
normal
too fast
Teff flour
Sorghum flour
Whole legumes
Split hulled legumes (dahls)
Vegetables
Fruits
Animal foods
Nuts & seeds
too fast
too fast
too fast
normal
normal
normal
normal
normal
NB. I have not tested fonio.
I have examined the insoluble fibre in some cereals and legumes with a
microscope, and here is what I found;
Cereals
•
•
•
Whole wheat flour causes severe IBS symptoms. Insoluble fibre was
extracted from whole wheat flour (machine ground), by boiling in 3%
hydrochloric acid for several hours. The fibre consisted of ‘two
dimensional’ flakes of bran with sharply defined edges, ranging in
size from 2mm to 0.01mm (see Appendix Eight, Figures 1, 2 & 3).
Whole white rice causes moderate symptoms of IBS. Insoluble fibre
was extracted from polished rice by cooking, then crushing and
boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several hours. The fibre consisted
of large ‘two dimensional’ flat sheets with sharply defined edges,
ranging in size from 2mm to 5mm (see Appendix Eight, Figure 4).
Corn grits cause no IBS symptoms. Insoluble fibre was extracted by
boiling coarse corn meal (machine ground) in 3% hydrochloric acid
for several hours. At 40x magnification the fibre consisted of three
dimensional amorphous clumps and fragments (see Figure 5). The
fibre appears to be tangled clumps of soft fibrils at 400x
magnification (see Appendix Eight, Figure 6).
55 – IBS Explained
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oatmeal causes moderate symptoms of IBS. Insoluble fibre was
extracted from oatmeal by boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several
hours. The fibre consisted of moderate quantities of 'two
dimensional' flat sheets of bran with sharply defined edges, ranging
in size up to 1.5mm (see Figure 7).
Wholemeal rye flour causes severe symptoms of IBS. Insoluble fibre
was extracted by boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several hours.
The fibre consisted of large quantities of 'two dimensional' flat
sheets of bran with sharply defined edges, ranging in size up to
1.5mm (see Figure 8).
White barley flour causes mild symptoms of IBS. Insoluble fibre was
extracted by boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several hours. The
fibre consisted of small quantities of 'two dimensional' flat sheets of
bran with sharply defined edges, ranging in size up to 0.5mm (see
Figure 9).
White millet flour causes mild symptoms of IBS. Insoluble fibre was
extracted by boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several hours. The
fibre consisted of small quantities of 'two dimensional' flat sheets of
bran with sharply defined edges, ranging in size up to 0.5mm (see
Figure 10).
Wholemeal teff flour causes severe symptoms of IBS. Insoluble
fibre was extracted by boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several
hours. The fibre consisted of large quantities of 'two dimensional'
flat sheets of bran with sharply defined edges, ranging in size up to
0.5mm (see Figure 11).
Wholemeal sorghum flour causes severe symptoms of IBS. Insoluble
fibre was extracted by boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several
hours. The fibre consisted of large quantities of 'two dimensional'
flat sheets of bran with sharply defined edges, ranging in size up to
0.5mm (see Figure 12).
Legumes
•
Split yellow peas cause no IBS symptoms. Insoluble fibre was
extracted from hulled & split yellow peas by soaking overnight,
crushing, and then boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several hours.
The insoluble material was obloid and spherical lumps, 0.1 to 0.3
mm in diameter (see Appendix Eight, Figures 7 & 8). Sharp edges
were not visible.
56 – IBS Explained
•
•
•
•
Haricot bean endosperm (internal portion) causes no IBS
symptoms. Insoluble fibre was extracted by soaking whole beans
overnight, removing the external coat, and boiling the crushed
endosperm in 3% hydrochloric acid for several hours. The insoluble
material was obloid and spherical lumps, 0.1 to 0.2 mm in diameter
(see Appendix Eight, Figures 9 & 10). Sharp edges were not visible.
Haricot bean external coat causes severe IBS symptoms. Insoluble
fibre was extracted by soaking whole beans overnight, removing the
external coat, crushing it and boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for
several hours. The fibre consisted of flat two dimensional fragments
about 1 to 5 mm in size (see Figure 11). At 400x magnification the
material is seen to be composed of densely packed crystalline rods,
about 0.03mm long and 0.01mm in diameter (see Appendix Eight,
Figure 12). The rods are orientated at 90 degrees to the surface of
the endosperm (internal part).
Moong bean endosperm causes no IBS symptoms. Insoluble fibre
was extracted by soaking whole beans overnight, removing the
external coat, crushing it, and boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for
several hours. The fibre consisted of obloid to spherical lumps, 0.1
to 0.2 mm in diameter (see Appendix Eight, Figure 13). Sharp edges
were not visible.
Moong bean external coat causes moderate IBS symptoms.
Insoluble fibre was extracted by soaking beans overnight, removing
the skin, crushing it, then boiling in 3% hydrochloric acid for several
hours. The fibre is fragments of light coloured coat with dark veins
(see Figure 14). The dark veins contain crystalline rods orientated
like the sleepers on a railway track (see Appendix Eight, Figures 15
& 16).
Classification of insoluble fibre
Currently all insoluble fibre is lumped together, but I have identified
three distinct types of insoluble fibre in food;
1. Cereal bran… sharp edged ‘two dimensional’ flakes present in most
cereals. This fibre triggers IBS symptoms.
2. Legume micro-crystalline fibre... these crystalline rods are found
in the external coats of all legumes. They trigger IBS symptoms.
3. Soft insoluble fibre… found in corn, the insides of legumes, fruits,
vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices & animal foods. This fibre
does not cause IBS symptoms.
57 – IBS Explained
Lifestyle factors
Weather
Cold and dry conditions worsen symptoms (temperate winters, arctic
regions and high altitudes), warm and wet conditions improve symptoms
(tropics, temperate summers).
Time of Life
When we are young our IBS is not so bad. As we get older, it increases in
intensity. When we are very old, it is worst.
Body Type
Some types of people suffer more from their IBS symptoms than others
do, due to their physical makeup. Those that suffer most are thin and
underweight. Substantial constitutions cope better.
Stresses and strains
These affect the amount of adrenal hormones released. High levels of
hormones cause the autonomic nervous system to be in an elevated
state. Low levels cause the autonomic nervous system to be relaxed.
Now the small intestine is controlled by five divisions of the autonomic
nervous system; four brain controllers, and the enteric nervous system.
So IBS symptoms are affected by lifestyle factors that raise and lower
the levels of adrenal hormones.
When adrenal hormones are low (a relaxed state), symptoms are less.
When adrenal hormones are high (a stressed state), symptoms are
worse. IBS symptoms cause stress and stress increases symptoms.
*** But stress does not cause IBS ***
Adrenal hormone levels rise and fall in natural cycles. They are high just
after arising in the morning. IBS symptoms start at this time. The IBS
Barrier is created (bloating, cramping) when breakfast is eaten, and the
morning rush starts when the valve terminating the small intestine
opens. During the day, if a stressful event occurs, then symptoms
increase in intensity. Overnight we relax, bloating & cramping subside,
and the terminating valve closes firmly. This coincides with a fall in
adrenal hormone levels.
58 – IBS Explained
Now here is the good part. We CAN learn to lower our adrenal hormone
levels, and keep them low. This is called Relaxation Therapy. When we
learn to relax, then IBS symptoms are minimised.
IBS factors
The small intestine is the heart of the digestion, a central part of the
body’s biochemical processing activities. When its control systems
malfunction, the effects can be wide ranging.
Duodenum
The tasks of the duodenum are to; receive food soup from the stomach,
release sufficient digestive chemicals, mix them in, emulsify fats, and
transfer the food soup to the next section at the correct speed and
time.
1. A hormone called Glucose-dependent Insulinotrophic Peptide (GIP) is
injected into the bloodstream when food enters. This stimulates
insulin release from the pancreas. Insulin is needed to move the
sugars (that are about to be digested), into cells. If this task is
compromised then symptoms similar to type II diabetes may be
present.
2. A hormone called Secretin is injected into the bloodstream when
food enters. The pancreas releases enzymes and bicarbonate into
the duodenum in response to this hormone. Human digestive
enzymes will not work in acid conditions, and alkaline bicarbonate is
needed to neutralize stomach & food acids. If insufficient
bicarbonate is released, acid foods will cause indigestions, enzymes
do not work, undigested fats will be present, and it may be
necessary to suppress stomach acid production with drugs. To treat
this problem I suggest a vegan low fat, low acid diet that can be
digested by colonic bacteria. The Easy Anti-IBS Diet can be suitably
modified.
3. Hormones called Cholecystokinin (CCK), are released into the
bloodstream when food enters;
i. CCK stimulates the CCK brain controller for the small intestine.
A nerve signal is then sent to the muscle that empties the gall
bladder, and bile is pushed into the duodenum. Bile salts
emulsify fats so that lipase enzymes can digest them.
ii. CCK also stimulates the pancreas to release lipase enzymes into
the duodenum. If insufficient lipase enzymes are released, some
fat cannot be digested.
59 – IBS Explained
4. It mixes enzymes & bile into the food soup, and emulsifies fats.
However back pressure from a jejunum Barrier can close the valve
covering the ducts from the gall bladder and pancreas, and
insufficient bile, enzymes & bicarbonate are added. Later, when the
Barrier relaxes, the jejunum will receive food soup that is possibly
acidic and contains fat that is not emulsified. It cannot digest this
and will try to move it into the ileum as quickly as possible. If
dehydration has occurred in the duodenum, the jejunum will have to
work much harder to move the indigestible mess along, and a long
period of painful indigestion will cause severe distress.
Insufficient chemicals, ‘too fast’ speeds, no mixing, and no timing,
equals severe indigestion!
Jejunum
The tasks of the jejunum are; to mix food soup so that nutrients are
digested & absorbed at the correct rate, and to move food soup to the
next section at the correct speed (slow) & time.
1. A jejunum Barrier means that dehydration can occur in the
duodenum and food soup becomes too thick. When the Barrier is
released later in the day, nutrient uptake is slowed, the soup needs
to be retained longer, and constipation is aggravated.
2. Back pressure, and/or IBS-B, or other problems in the duodenum,
may result in insufficient bicarbonate, bile and/or enzymes in the
food. It cannot be digested, may be acidic and may contain fat that
is not emulsified. The jejunum will move the indigestible soup
rapidly to the next section.
3. In a defective jejunum there is no mixing, the rate of nutrient
uptake is dependent on diffusion, and it cannot be varied. Food soup
can travel rapidly to the end of the jejunum, possibly with
cramping;
i. It then sits behind an ileum Barrier so that dehydration, and
mild, hard to detect, bloating occur. Cramping may occur when
the jejunum tries hard to move food soup through the Barrier.
ii. The uptake of carbohydrates is insufficient when it is cold, and
this may cause frozen fingers, toes and face (Raynaud’s
disorder). The uptake of nutrients is too fast when it is hot and
this may cause overheating.
iii. When the ileum is defective as well, food soup can move
straight into the ileum and uptake of nutrients is minimal.
60 – IBS Explained
No mixing, no timing, ‘too fast’ speeds,
insufficient chemicals, and impaired absorption of nutrients,
equals malnutrition and severe indigestion!
Ileum
The tasks of the ileum are; to mix food soup efficiently so that bile salts
& enzymes are recovered & recycled, to dehydrate the soup and ready it
for release into the colon, and to move it into the colon at the correct
time.
1. An ileum barrier causes dehydration in the jejunum. This makes the
job of the ileum more difficult as the soup is too thick when it
finally enters the ileum. Chemical recycling is slowed and
constipation becomes worse as the ileum must retain the soup for a
longer period.
2. If problems in the duodenum cause the food soup to contain
undigested fat, the ileum will move the soup rapidly to the end of
the small intestine, possibly with cramping. It may then enter the
colon the next morning (the morning rush), or be pushed into the
colon immediately.
3. A defective ileum moves food soup into the colon too soon. The soup
may be acidic, and contain raw enzymes & undigested fats. The
colon evacuates immediately when this happens.
4. A defective ileum cannot mix the food soup and efficiently control
recycling of chemicals, so food soup that still contains high levels of
bile salts & enzymes is pushed into the colon, and diarrhoea occurs.
Continual diarrhoea depletes the body’s supply of these chemicals,
and they cannot be manufactured quickly enough to compensate for
the loss. If the stocks of chemicals become too low there will not be
enough to digest the next meal.
5. Excessive loss of bile salts (made from cholesterol) causes a
cholesterol deficit. Cholesterol is made only slowly so organs that
contain a large amount of stored cholesterol have to surrender
some. The brain is where most cholesterol is located and when the
body removes cholesterol from the brain, this causes hallucinations.
No mixing, no timing, ‘too fast’ speeds, and loss of digestive chemicals,
equals severe indigestion and possibly hallucinations!
61 – IBS Explained
Colon
The large intestine receives a new batch of food from the ileum in the
early morning, dehydrates it, conditions it, and releases it from the anus
the next morning. If the new batch of food from the ileum is acidic, or
contains high levels of raw enzymes, or undigested fats, then the colon
gets rid of it immediately. The higher the levels of fat, enzymes and
acid, the faster the evacuation is.
Development of symptoms
1. I used to be able to eat whatever I liked but now food often makes
me ill. What is happening to me?
a. When you were born you had enough neuro-transmitters in your
small intestine brain controllers, but now neuro-transmitter
production is not sufficient. Your parents did not make you with
a full complement of neuro-transmitter manufacturing cells and
you have gradually worn out what you had. Here IBS creeps up
like a stealth bomber and then drops a payload of nasty
symptoms on you. Symptoms are at first intermittent, then they
gradually increase in frequency and intensity over many years,
until one day you suddenly realize that you have a big problem!
b. A neuro-transmitter deficiency in the small intestine brain
controller can gradually develop over many years. I will use my
illness (IBS-D) as an example. Symptoms began at age fourteen.
From then on they happened irregularly until about age 45.
Sometimes there would be an interval of as much as year or two
between occurrences of symptoms. By about age 45 however,
the ‘morning rush’ was with me every day. By about age 50
severe IBS was killing my life.
2. I have intermittent IBS symptoms, occurring at all sorts of odd times.
There seems to be no pattern to them. I get diarrhoea but seldom a
‘morning rush’. I get constipation but it is not severe, and I have no
bloating. Why is this?
a. When neck vertebrae are out of alignment, they can place
intermittent pressure on nerves connecting the small intestine
and the brain. IBS can occur anytime and alternate unpredictably
between IBS-C & IBS-D.
62 – IBS Explained
3. I got severe food poisoning on an overseas trip and was hospitalized
for 2 weeks, now I have IBS symptoms every day. What has happened
to me?
a. Damage to nerve sensors in the walls of the small intestine from
a toxic insult like food poisoning, will trigger symptoms
immediately.
4. I had a stomach operation last year and since then IBS has been
giving me hell. What’s wrong?
a. Severing of nerves connecting the brain to the small intestine
during surgery to the abdomen will result in the immediate
appearance of symptoms.
5. I have had IBS ever since I can remember. My mother says that I had
it when I was only a few months old. Why?
a. If an infant does not develop nervous system connections from
the brain to the small intestine soon after birth, or is born with a
neuro-transmitter deficiency in the small intestine brain
controller, then IBS occurs as soon as solid foods are fed.
Factors impacting the rest of the body
The autonomic nervous system faults that directly cause IBS symptoms
also produce indirect symptoms in the rest of the brain & nervous
system.
The small intestine brain controller is part of the body’s interconnected
network of autonomic regulation systems. These systems keep you in
balance and ready to rumble. When IBS occurs, the rest of the network
does not receive feedback from the small intestine controllers AND
when instructions go to the controllers from the network, there is no
response. As a result many biochemical processes cannot be correctly
regulated.
Cholesterol and hallucinations
Those who have IBS-B, IBS-D & IBS-A can suffer from hallucinations.
These are multi-coloured kaleidoscopic patterns starting near the centre
of the visual field and radiating outwards. They can occur at any time,
last for up to an hour, and are followed by headaches and poor brain
performance over the next 12 hours or so. If a headache is present on
arising, then it is likely that hallucinations have happened during sleep.
63 – IBS Explained
This symptom is caused by the failure of the body’s cholesterol
regulation system.
Cholesterol is a vital nutrient. It is used in the brain & nervous system,
in cell walls, in bile salts, and in hormones. The body makes cholesterol
but only slowly. Cholesterol is found in raw animal foods. Raw egg yolks,
raw fish roes, raw shellfish, and raw animal organs (brain, liver) are
good sources. Raw meats, raw fish and raw milk contain smaller
amounts.
Cholesterol is used to make bile salts which are stored in the gall
bladder. This removes it from circulation. The bile salts then emulsify
fats in the first and second sections of the small intestine. Later in the
third section (ileum) they can be recycled. The ileum brain controller
manages this recycling process. When circulating cholesterol level is
low, most bile salts are recycled. When circulating cholesterol level is
high, extra bile salts are allowed to escape via the stool.
•
•
A defective ileum brain controller can no longer manage the
recycling of bile salts, and large amounts can be lost. The body
marshals all its available cholesterol to make more bile salts. The
brain has to supply some of this and the shortage causes visual
hallucinations.
When the CCK controller is defective, and too much raw cholesterol
is eaten, the body is unable to quickly reduce cholesterol by
excreting bile salts in the BMs. Instead it is moved into organs like
the liver and brain. A high level in the brain produces visual
hallucinations.
This side effect can be overcome by adjustments to diet.
Full instructions are given later in the treatment programs.
Malnutrition
Humans have large hungry brains that require lots of nutrients,
delivered at the right time. We have already met the ‘trace mineral
deficiency’ depression that is caused when IBS impairs bacterial
digestion in the colon, but the malnutrition caused by no timing, no
mixing, and problems with fat digestion, results in the brain not
receiving most of the nutrients it requires at the right time. It lets you
know about this with symptoms like depression and headaches.
All other parts of the body, including the immune system, are also
affected. Literally dozens and dozens of illnesses can occur due to this
malnutrition. Many are minor, but major ones occur too.
64 – IBS Explained
Medical factors
Diagnosis
The doctor has diagnosed your illness as IBS. Now doctors do not know
(yet) what causes IBS. So they end up diagnosing IBS when they cannot
find another reason for your symptoms. There is nothing wrong with
your digestive system and yet it does not work!
The doctor might be wrong. You may not have IBS, or you may have IBS
with complications, or you may have a disorder that produces symptoms
similar to IBS. So if your symptoms do not fit into one of the types of IBS
I have described, then you should ask your doctor to do further tests.
But the treatment programs in this book can help even if you have some
other illness. I recommend a Palaeo Diet, but if you cannot digest fats,
even when they are emulsified, then a vegan, low acid, low fat version
of the Easy Anti-IBS Diet is indicated.
The easy anti-IBS diet
Q. I am eating the Easy Anti-IBS Diet and my symptoms have subsided,
BUT I have noticed that my physical performance is lousy and mental
tasks like maths have become difficult. What mistakes am I making?
a. This diet uses cooked proteins to slow down your defective small
intestine and remove IBS symptoms. The compounds that do the slowing
are called HCAs (heterocyclic amines). These are created by heating
proteins (except dairy) above 40 degrees Centigrade.
Most HCAs are not digested and are expelled in your BMs, but some are
absorbed into the body. Unfortunately they mimic neuro-transmitters
and interfere with nervous system function.
To stop this, eat one of the high fat Palaeo diets. If you eat sufficient
fat with cooked proteins, the fat soluble HCAs are moved into the
lymphatic system, where they are rendered harmless.
-|Well, I did warn you, it’s a complicated mess.
But you have now reached the important part of the book.
This is where you find out how to fix yourself up!
65 – IBS Explained
Chapter Five Healing Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Three steps to freedom
ONE - Change your diet
I have developed anti-IBS diets. When you eat one of these, IBS will
become a lot quieter and if you add step TWO, symptoms will almost
vanish. They are;
1. The Easy Anti-IBS Diet; for those of you who just want to get better,
and are not worried about your performance, this is the one. It has
some side effects but they are much less of a problem than IBS. You
can eat most foods except cereals, whole legumes and gluten. A
modified version of this diet can be eaten by those who have
problems with their pancreas.
2. The Easy Palaeo Diet; this is a high performance ‘first aid’ diet for
those who are very ill and need to stabilize themselves. It is a fat
burning diet, and you can buy all the food in the supermarket. Plant
fibre is kept to an absolute minimum. Once you have subdued IBS I
suggest you ‘graduate’ to the Optimum Palaeo Diet.
3. The Inuit Palaeo Diet; this is a high performance diet based on the
diet of the Inuit people from Alaska, Canada and Siberia. It is a fat
burning, hunter-gatherer diet, and you can buy all the food in the
supermarket. Plant fibre is kept to an absolute minimum and it
contains very little sugar.
66 – IBS Explained
4. The Optimum Palaeo Diet; this is a high performance diet for those
who want the best from themselves. It has no side effects. It is a fat
burning diet. You can buy the food in the supermarket, but the local
farmers’ market is a better source. It combines the Inuit diet, with
man’s original African diet of fruit, nuts, seeds and animal foods.
TWO – Practise a relaxation therapy
Most modern people are stressed. Their lifestyle habits frighten their
bodies, and they operate with high adrenal hormone levels much of the
time. When they get IBS, this stress makes the symptoms much worse.
This is because a high level of adrenal hormones pumps up the
autonomic nervous system, and IBS is a disorder of this system.
Relaxation therapies teach the body to operate so that adrenal hormone
levels are lower. They reduce the intensity of IBS symptoms and when
combined with an anti-IBS diet, practically eliminate them.
These therapies take a few months of daily practice to learn, and then
you reinforce them with a regular practice several times a week. After
many years, your relaxed state will be become permanent, and you will
be able to cease the therapy.
When you permanently rid your life of stress and eat one of my diets,
there is no fear, no IBS, and everything you do is fun.
THREE – Educate yourself
Use this book to find out how your digestive system works, how the
autonomic nervous system causes IBS, and how to successfully treat your
symptoms. Then you will be empowered and free from IBS forever.
67 – IBS Explained
The correct diet for a human
Humans are fruitarian apes. Our digestive system is designed to digest
raw fruits, raw nuts & seeds, & raw animal foods. We cannot digest
cereals, legumes, vegetables, and cooked proteins eaten without
sufficient fat. When we eat these foods, they are digested by bacteria in
the colon instead.
About ten thousand years ago we decided to eat a Neolithic diet and use
the colon to digest our food. Our ancestors over hundreds of millions of
years, never, ever used the colon in this way, and we do not possess a
digestive system designed for it, or the biochemical processing
necessary to cope with the results.
One of the results is IBS.
The toxins in these Neolithic foods and the toxins released by the
bacterial digestive process in the colon, cause most of our illnesses.
They depress our immune system, stunt our growth, reshape our
skeletons, weaken our muscles, handicap our children, fill our prisons &
mental asylums, and cut short our lives.
This ‘new’ diet we have adopted is unsustainable. If we continue to eat
it we will eventually become incapable of reproducing ourselves. The
number of caesarean births will continue to rise, and the number of
handicapped children will skyrocket. After decades of vaccination
combined with Neolithic junk food, we will become so weak that
common micro-organisms will easily defeat our depressed immune
systems.
Wai Genriiu’s research (www.waisays.com), has identified man’s natural
diet. I will briefly summarize her findings for you…
Homo sapiens (that’s us) evolved from a long line of apes. Our ancestors
lived in tropical Africa, in forests/jungle and savannah/grasslands. They
had hands to climb trees, pick fruit & nuts, and legs to run after game.
They were hunter-gatherers. This was in the very recent past, mere
seconds ago in the day of our evolutionary history.
We can see how our ancestors lived by looking at the diet and lifestyle
of our closest relative, the chimpanzee. Our cousins have a digestive
system similar to ours. It is the digestive system of a fruitarian. We and
the chimpanzee cannot make vitamin C and a number of B vitamins
needed to digest protein. These nutrients are found in fruits.
68 – IBS Explained
Chimpanzees eat fruits, nuts and seeds, supplemented with insects, and
the occasional larger animal. These are all eaten raw. We should be
eating a similar diet.
We are not herbivores, omnivores or carnivores;
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Herbivores have long, tough digestive systems. They have either
multiple stomachs, or a caecum (hind gut), to ferment vegetable
material.
Omnivores have digestive systems that can safely ferment plant
material and digest animal foods.
Carnivores have short, delicate digestive systems, designed only for
animal foods, and their bodies can manufacture vitamin C, & the B
vitamins needed to process a high protein diet.
Humans are fruitarians;
•
We have a digestive system that can digest raw fruits, raw nuts &
seeds and limited amounts of raw animal foods. Our bodies cannot
make Vitamin C, and the B vitamins needed to process animal foods.
We can get these by eating raw fruit. We also struggle to make
sufficient cholesterol and C20+ unsaturated fats, to build our huge
brains. These can be obtained by eating raw animal foods.