What Is A Functional Nutritionist
Functional Nutritionists hold graduate degrees in functional nutrition and are proficient in science-based advanced medical nutrition therapy, biochemistry, counseling, education, and research.
The functional nutrition approach uses food as natural medicine to
- help restore balance to your body,
- correct nutrient deficiencies,
- heal the gut, and much more.
Not only that but functional nutrition considers every aspect of human health, diet, and overall lifestyle and provides individualized nutrition recommendations. There are no generic meal plans everything is catered to you.
For this reason, functional nutrition can do wonders for treating symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Ibs Causes Bloating And Other Stomach Issues But Can It Cause Weight Gain
For those suffering from IBS , the bloating, stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea are just some of the uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms. But can IBS also cause weight gain? Here’s what registered dietitian and gut health expert Jessie Wong, MAcc, RDN, LD, who specializes in IBS, and NYC internist and gastroenterologist Niket Sonpal, MD, had to say.
What Causes Bloating In The Stomach
Gas
Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, but too much intestinal gas means your digestion is gone awry. While you can ingest gasses by swallowing air or drinking carbonated beverages, these gasses mostly escape through belching before they reach your intestines. Gasses in your intestines are mostly produced by gut bacteria digesting carbohydrates .
If theres too much fermentation going on, its because too many carbohydrates werent naturally absorbed earlier in the digestive process, before reaching those gut bacteria. That could be for several reasons. Maybe you just ate too much too fast for proper digestion, or you might have a specific food intolerance or gastrointestinal disease. Some possible causes include:
Digestive Contents
These can include solids, liquids, and gas. Digestive contents can build up in your digestive system when there is a backup or restriction in your digestive tract or when the muscles that move digestive contents along are somehow impaired. Any build-up of digestive contents along the digestive tract will leave less room for normal amounts of gas to process through. It also leaves less room for other things in your abdomen, including circulatory fluids and fat, making everything feel tighter. Causes of build-up can include:
Hormones
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Why Does Ibs Cause A Weight Gain
There are a number of possible explanations as to why IBS might result in weight gain.
A change in diet in an attempt to reduce symptoms can be a factor. Many types of fruit and vegetables can actually act as triggers in IBS as they often contain indigestible components which undergo fermentation in the large intestine. Learn more on the FODMAP diet and how cutting out some of these foods may help to improve your symptoms.
As a result of recurring flare ups you might be tempted to replace fruit and vegetables with carbohydrate sources instead, such as potatoes or rice which can cause weight gain.
Mental factors may also have a role to play. IBS is often linked to psychological issues such as anxiety or depression which can be associated with emotional eating. Over-eating may be a result of feeling particularly down or when your symptoms have subsided and you feel happier. Read our blog on how emotions can affect our eating habits and weight.
Episodes of constipation can also cause temporary weight gain as the weight of excess waste material and water are stored and reabsorbed in the colon.
Fodmap Diet And Other Food Recommendations
Food is a known trigger of IBS. This makes it difficult for IBS patients to find suitable meal choices while maintaining their weight. The problem is that some foods which contribute to weight loss can lead to symptom flare-up. These foods include:
- Legumes: Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, but could prove problematic for IBS patients. Beans can lead to an increase in stool bulk, leading to worse episodes of constipation.
- Dairy: Foods high in fat including dairy are typically not recommended for IBS patients. Its because dairy products such as milk and most types of cheese contain lactase. This enzyme may be lacking in IBS patients, leading to indigestion and diarrhea.
- Gluten: Wheat and rye are often recommended to people hoping to lose weight because these components are hard to digest, which can keep a person full longer. On the other hand, IBS patients can be more sensitive to gluten compared to healthy individuals, leading to abdominal cramps and discomfort.
Although these foods tend to produce negative effects in general IBS cases, not all individuals will respond the same way. Before banning certain foods from your diet, we recommend keeping a food diary so you can keep track of the effects foods have on your gastrointestinal system.
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How Does Ibs Cause Weight Loss
One of the most common symptoms of IBS is painful abdominal cramping. In severe cases, this can greatly decrease the appetite of the individual. IBS sufferers may also have a concurrent eating disorder called avoidant restrictive food intake disorder .
The severe gastrointestinal symptoms can cause a person to choose not to eat to avoid exacerbating symptoms which leads to weight loss.
IBS generally does not lead to significant weight loss .
If you do notice yourself losing weight without trying, then this may be as a result of another underlying condition such as inflammatory bowel disease or Celiac disease or a psychiatric disease like anorexia nervosa or ARFID.
What Else Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider
If you have IBS symptoms, ask your provider:
- Could another condition be causing my symptoms?
- What medications can help?
- What foods should I avoid?
- What other lifestyle changes should I make?
- Can a dietitian help me?
- Should I see a gastroenterologist?
- When will I start to feel better?
- Am I at risk for other health conditions?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Living with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can be challenging. IBS symptoms, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, gas and bloating, often interfere with your life. But IBS is manageable. Though there is no cure, you can control and improve symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes. If you have stomach symptoms that arent going away, talk to your healthcare provider. Together, you can find an IBS treatment plan that works for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/24/2020.
References
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How Ibs Causes Weight Gain
Weight change from IBS is likelier to result in weight loss. For irritable bowel syndrome patients, this could be caused by the inefficient nutrient absorption from food and urgent bowel movements that can come right after eating. The discomfort may be associated with food, which could prevent patients from eating.
While uncommon, IBS patients can also experience weight gain which involves a few factors. These include:
Does Being Constipated Make You Tired
Fatigue often goes hand in hand with constipation. This can signal that your constipation might be the underlying cause of another medical problem. Your constipation can also cause fatigue because of malnutrition. When your colon is holding on to toxic waste, your body has a harder time absorbing nutrients from food.
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What Is The Link Between Ibs And Weight Gain
As I mentioned, we do not know the exact link between IBS and weight. This is likely due to the complexity of weight in itself.
However, you may be interested to know that there are some differences in appetite regulating hormones in people who have IBS.
5 of the hormones are abnormal in people with IBS: ghrelin, cholecystokinin, peptide YY, enteroglucagon and serotonin .
Weight Gain Vs Bloating
Bloating is a common symptom of IBS and could be interpreted as weight gain. While the actual cause of bloating is still unknown, excessive gas does not actually cause bloating.
Other causes could be impaired motility , bacterial growth in the small intestine, and sensitive abdominal walls to name a few.
Its fairly easy to differentiate bloating from weight gain: bloating often lasts for 1-5 days and is centered on the stomach, while weight gain is apparent in all areas of the body and usually does not recede on its own.
Bloating also has the following characteristics:
- Commonly described as increased abdominal pressure
- Often gets worse immediately after meals
- Stomach can start flat out in the day and get bloated at night
- Usually subsides overnight
It is one of the more manageable symptoms of IBS. Below are some tips for dealing with bloating:
Also Check: How To Increase Bacteroidetes In Gut
How Does Ibs Cause Weight Gain
Some people with IBS are only able to eat certain foods to avoid worsening their symptoms. These foods can sometimes be nutritionally void and high in calories.
Regular or over-consumption of foods like this can lead to individuals eating more calories than they require. Over time, this will lead to weight gain.
IBS symptoms can be very severe and impact your ability to perform daily tasks. For this reason, many people find it hard to exercise sufficiently.
Exercise is important to maintain a good state of physical and mental health and combating the excess calories.
Leading a sedentary life is known to lead to weight gain. Some IBS sufferers may find that running triggers symptoms such as bouts of diarrhea. If this is the case, there are many other forms of exercise that you can partake in. If you love running, decreasing the intensity and duration or slowing the pace may help reduce symptoms.
There is research suggesting that being overweight can exacerbate IBS symptoms. It is theorized that this is due to hormones found in the digestive tract.
There are several hormones responsible for weight regulation in the body, and are commonly seen at abnormal levels in people with IBS. They also play a role in hunger regulation, which can lead to overeating.
IBS can also lead to severe bloating. This can make people look or feel as though they have gained weight, even though this might not necessarily be the case.
Will I Need A Colonoscopy
Depending on your symptoms, medical history and other factors, your provider may recommend a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to examine your colon in more detail. These two outpatient procedures are similar. The difference is that a sigmoidoscopy examines just the lower half of the colon. A colonoscopy examines the entire colon.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy can help evaluate bowel disorders, rectal bleeding or polyps. Your provider will:
Heres what you can expect during a colonoscopy. Your provider will:
Often, providers can make an accurate diagnosis and even deliver treatment using a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a much less invasive procedure compared to an abdominal operation.
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Ibs And Weight Gain: What You Need To Know
IBS is a condition that presents a little bit differently in everyone.
Some people will gain weight while others will find themselves losing weight. It is a fairly common condition, affecting an estimated 20% of U.S. adults.
If you are suffering from IBS, you are not alone. With the correct diet and lifestyle changes, it is a manageable condition.
IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, is a condition affecting the digestive tract, with abdominal pain associated with constipation or diarrhea. Other symptoms of IBS include bloating, nausea, trapped gas, and flatulence.
It is not known exactly what causes IBS, and currently there is no cure. There are theories that IBS develops as a result of impairments in the normal interaction/signaling between your brain and your gut.
The condition is known to be exacerbated by stress and anxiety.
The treatment for IBS is all about management. Trigger foods for IBS flare-ups should be identified and eliminated. Unfortunately, everyone is different. Some may have 1 or 2 trigger foods, while others have many.
Are My Ibs Symptoms Affecting My Weight
Do you suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome ? IBS in women and men is so common that it affects 1 out of 10 people in the United States each year. Symptoms of IBS can range from mild to severe and include things like cramping, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. One wrong move, and you may find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation. But IBS symptoms can also affect your weight.
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The Fodmap Diet For Ibs
Another option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight and minimize IBS symptoms is a low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo-di-monosaccharides and polyols. The sugars found in these foods tend to be more difficult for people with IBS to digest and they often worsen symptoms.
The diet involves avoiding or limiting foods that are high in FODMAPs, including:
- fructans, found in wheat, onion, and garlic
- fructose, found in apples, blackberries, and pears
- galactans, found in beans, lentils, and soy
- lactose from dairy products
- polyols from alcohol sugars like sorbitol and fruits like peaches and plums
Reading food labels carefully and avoiding these additives can help you reduce the likelihood that youll experience stomach symptoms related to IBS.
Examples of IBS-friendly, low FODMAP foods include:
- fruits, including bananas, blueberries, grapes, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries
- lactose-free dairy
- lean proteins, including chicken, eggs, fish, and turkey
- vegetables, including carrots, cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, kale, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes
- sweeteners, including brown sugar, cane sugar, and maple syrup
Those on a low FODMAP diet may eliminate some higher FODMAP foods and slowly add them back in to determine what foods can be safely eaten.
Can Digestive Health Conditions Make It Hard To Lose Weight
Though most digestive health conditions cause weight loss, a few can lead to weight gain or bloating.
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Everyday Health: It makes sense that there are connections between digestive health and weight loss because some digestive conditions cause people to unintentionally lose weight. Are there any digestive health conditions that actually make it more difficult to lose weight?
While most gastrointestinal conditions are associated with weight loss, a notable exception includes severe liver disease and liver cirrhosis. In severe liver disease, patients can look very thin but gain weight because the liver normally makes an important protein known as albumin. As liver disease progresses, it can no longer make much albumin. Since albumin keeps water and other liquids in the bloodstream, its loss results in leaking of fluid from the blood to the belly and legs, causing these parts of the body to increase in size, sometimes by a lot. Even though advanced liver patients appear very ill along with thin faces and arms, they actually gain weight due to the fluid in the legs and abdomen. While weight gain is rare, some patients with duodenal ulcers receive relief by eating more to neutralize the acid made by their stomach, although this appetite rarely leads to weight gain.
Kenneth Brown, MD
Christine M. Esters
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Sutha Sachar, MD
Albert Snow, ND
AA Starpoli, MD
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The Easiest Way To To Optimize Cholesterol In Your Body Is To Consume These Foods:
- Cod liver oil
- Eggs
- Butter & Ghee
Give these suggestions a try and make sure to let me know how they are working out. This is a healing collaboration and were working together to make the best simple resources for people to overcome their IBDs and other Autoimmune Diseases.
If your looking to improve your IBD and change your life, check out my free healing guide.
Can Bloating Cause Weight Gain
While bloating itself is not a direct cause of weight gain, it can lead to an increase in waist size and contribute to feelings of fatigue and discomfort.
If you are experiencing regular bloating, make sure to monitor your food intake and see if there are any specific foods that seem to trigger the problem.
Additionally, be sure youâre drinking plenty of water and get regular exercise to help reduce the IBS symptoms.
If bloating is causing weight gain or distress, seek medical advice for potential treatments.
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Weight Gain Is Much More Common Than You’d Think
If you are someone struggling with your weight as an IBD patient, I really hope you know you arent alone. It is so much more common than you think and I know social media and even doctors do a terrible job at portraying it the way it should be. Because Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis are invisible illnesses, it stinks beyond words that oftentimes we arent believed if we dont look like we are on the verge of death.
I hear you and understand.
I’d love it if you could share some of your thoughts or experiences in the comments section below. Did this resonate with you at all? Is it something you struggle with? Let’s show others they aren’t alone and we are all in this together!
Balance And Optimize Hormone Levels
What do hormone levels have to do with gaining weight? Think of a teenager going through rapid growth spurts during puberty, or a pregnant woman who gains weight during pregnancy. The increase in growth is not merely due to caloric increase. Its the bodys way of using hormones to increase body weight when the conditions apply. Early in my healing journey I thought I could simply double or triple my calories and I would gain weight. This approach was mostly unsuccessful as it put lots of stress on my already compromised gut. I ended up feeling worse, and my symptoms usually flared up.
Eventually my gut healed and my weight normalized. I noticed that I would gain weight quickly when I ate nuts, yogurt, and olive oil. I experienced more energy, and felt happier. This video made me understand why these foods helped me gain weight.
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