When I started working with a dietitian, I had several questions about my gut health, digestion, and managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These questions later became the foundation for my personal health goals. If you’re navigating similar concerns, here’s what I learned.
What Are Digestive Enzymes and Are They Beneficial?
I frequently see advertisements for digestive enzymes on social media and other platforms. This made me wonder—what exactly are they? Are digestive enzyme supplements truly beneficial for gut health, or is it just marketing hype? More importantly, is there solid scientific evidence supporting their use for IBS and digestion? My goal was to make informed choices based on research rather than trends.
How Much Fiber Do I Need for Optimal Digestion?
Fiber is essential for digestive health, but how much do we actually need? I wanted to understand the right daily intake and the best sources. One concern I had was fiber supplements made from psyllium, a wheat-derived product. Since I was actively reducing my exposure to wheat, I questioned whether psyllium-based fiber supplements were a safe choice for someone with gluten sensitivity that triggers IBS symptoms. Understanding the right balance of fiber intake is important for anyone managing digestive health.
Should I Continue Taking Probiotics for IBS?
I had been taking a Seed probiotic for nearly a year, initially as an attempt to manage my gut health before I knew I had IBS. While it significantly improved my acne, it didn’t seem to help my digestive issues. Now that I had removed gluten from my diet, I wanted to know whether continuing a probiotic was necessary. Are probiotics effective for IBS? Is there strong evidence supporting ongoing probiotic use for gut health, or is it something I could stop? My goal was to determine whether probiotics were truly benefiting my health or just an unnecessary expense.
The Role of Vitamin D in Gut Health and IBS
As part of my assessment with my dietitian, I reviewed my vitamin levels, including vitamin D. I had recently undergone a physical with my doctor and had my levels tested, so I was curious to learn more about how vitamin D plays a role in digestion, immune function, and overall gut health. Is there a link between vitamin D deficiency and IBS symptoms? Understanding the role of vitamins in gut health can help optimize overall well-being.
Stomach Acid Levels: Do I Have Too Much or Too Little?
Online advertisements had me questioning my stomach acid levels—was I producing too much or too little? How could I determine this? Additionally, while my most severe IBS symptoms improved after cutting out gluten, I still experienced some digestive discomfort. I wanted to learn how to identify other potential food sensitivities and digestive triggers. Rather than relying on internet trends, I wanted evidence-based guidance on stomach acid balance and its effects on digestion.
Is Food Sensitivity Testing Worth It for IBS?
Food sensitivity tests are becoming more popular, but are they actually useful? I was interested in exploring food testing to determine whether it would provide insights into lingering symptoms. Is food intolerance testing an effective tool for managing IBS, or is it an unnecessary expense? With so many options available, I wanted to ensure I was making informed, science-backed choices regarding my health.
Can I Reintroduce Gluten? Understanding Gluten Tolerance
Finally, I wondered whether I could eat gluten again in the future. If so, how would I go about reintroducing it safely? What signs should I look for to determine whether my body could tolerate it? Understanding the reintroduction process could help others navigating similar dietary challenges.
Conclusion
These were the key topics I discussed with my dietitian, and in the coming weeks, I’ll be diving deeper into each of them in individual blog posts. Whether you’re struggling with digestion, considering probiotics, or managing IBS, I hope my journey can help guide you in optimizing your gut health. Stay tuned for more insights backed by research and real-life experience!
Reactions and Next Steps
What did you think about the questions that I had for my dietitian? Have you ever had similar questions?
By sharing my learning experiences, I hope I’ve sparked something positive in you. Maybe you felt like, “I’m glad I’ve never dealt with that” or “I’ve had this same issue” or “my experience is way worse”. Whatever your experience is, if you feel comfortable sharing it, please do so in the comments. I’m working hard to make this a safe and inviting space for all, so make sure to leave comments that meet the code of conduct expectations. This community and I would love to hear your stories, thoughts, ideas, and questions so that all can benefit.
If you found this post helpful and are not yet subscribed, please do so. I’ll email you occasionally to help you find a community of people who are also learning to thrive while having digestive issues. You can subscribe by adding your email to the box below and clicking subscribe.
Additional Information
At the time of writing this post, no financial compensation was derived from any of the sources, products, or people mentioned in this post. For more information about the financials of this blog, please go here.
Update history: None. Add dates when updated.
References: None.
