Losing weight involves changing food habits. This not only includes reducing calories but also consuming food that may upset you like high fibre food. People with irritable bowel syndrome struggle to lose weight as they find it difficult to stick to the recommended diet for weight loss.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects predominantly the digestive system. People who have this condition can experience abdominal pain/cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation and flatulence. In addition, people can also have tiredness, back pain and the urge to pass urine frequently. IBS is usually a lifelong problem with variable symptoms and tends to vary in duration.
The exact cause for IBS is not known, however, studies in morbidly obese people have shown that it could be due to the interplay of
- Psychological distress
- Dietary factors
- Altered gut microbiomes
- Hormones
- Inflammation
There is no specific test for IBS but it is important to rule out other conditions including coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease before a diagnosis of IBS is made. There is no definite cure for IBS.
Why do people with IBS struggle to lose weight?
IBS can result in weight loss or weight gain. People, who are overweight and have IBS, struggle to lose weight. There are several reasons why losing weight is difficult with IBS.
Some of the reasons for people with IBS gaining weight is mentioned below:
- Preference to high calorie food which does not cause IBS symptoms
- Reduction in fibre intake
- Eating meals at the wrong times due to bloating and altered bowels
- Changes in the gut hormones
How can your clinic help me, if I have IBS?
Some of the reasons, why people with IBS struggle to lose weight has been mentioned above. However, there are several other reasons and everyone has a different reason, which needs to be analysed and managed.
In addition to providing specific advice on diet, our specialist team will support you in determining your hunger pattern, hormonal problems and also arrange a food intolerance test to determine if you have associated food intolerance along with IBS. This will help you avoid certain food or ingredients which is troubling you.
Our team of specialists will provide a personalised plan to support your needs.
If you have IBS and are having problems losing weight, contact us for more details on our specialist weight management programme using email [email protected]
IBS AND WEIGHT LOSS
IBS can result in weight loss or weight gain. People, who are overweight and have IBS, struggle to lose weight. There are several reasons why losing weight is difficult with IBS:
- Preference to high calorie food which does not cause IBS symptoms
- Reduction in fibre intake
- Eating meals at the wrong times due to bloating and altered bowels
- Changes in the gut hormones
If you have IBS and are having problems losing weight, contact us for more details on our specialist weight management programme using email [email protected].
Watch our video on IBS and Weight Loss
