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I've been seeing a naturopath who is Paleo-friendly but I don't feel he's investigating all the angles in tackling my chronic, fairly severe IBS. He has admitted that I know more about foods/supplements and their impact on IBS than he does. He has basically shrugged his shoulders and said my diet can't be the problem so it must be stress. I'll agree that stress is an issue for me but I don't think it's the whole picture. I would love to find someone (ideally a naturopath, for which I get insurance coverage) in Toronto who is just as up on all of this stuff as you guys are. Any leads?

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This is how I got rid of my IBS (same protocol for both diarrhea and constipation): eugenia.queru.com/2011/11/15/fixing-constipation However, if you have some mutated bacteria/yeast/worms in there causing trouble instead of a "normal" IBS/IBD/SIBO, these eat everything (not just carbs), so a diet won't work and antibiotics might be needed. So make sure you get checked out for such things regardless. – Eugenia Jan 4 2012 at 19:02
I'm looking for the same thing, but specifically someone who knows about SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and can test for it. If I find anything, I'll come back and post. You may find this podcast of value to you, was very informative for me: scdlifestyle.com/2011/08/… – waywardsister Jan 8 2012 at 15:07
I had a stool analysis in around 2002 which indicated no leaky gut. Then in 2006 a gastroenterologist administered a breath tests for SIBO which came back negative (is that reliable). Just in November I had a stool analysis by Meridian Valley which showed no overgrowth of bad flora, but I am low in some of the good ones. Should I get retested for SIBO? I am IBS-A - massive bloating, crampng, alternating constipation and diarrhea. – Renee Jan 8 2012 at 17:59

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Hi,

I'm a naturopathic doctor in Toronto and I have a significant amount of experience working with the Paleodiet and gastro-intestinal health. I'm currently working at the corner of Yonge and Davisville, but I am very much involved with The Academy of Lions - a crossfit/paleodiet-focused gym in the west end of downtown Toronto. Actually, I may be working at their new location in a few months for 1-2 days/week.

The way I approach digestive concerns such as IBS is to work with your diet as much as possible to optimize it with regards to your personal sensitivities that you may have, and also to strengthen your digestive function naturally (without the need for external digestive enzymes/HCl stomach acid). By helping your system to enhance it's own production of enzymes/HCl, it does not become dependent on supplements such as enzymes/hcl for years. I am a big proponent of supporting your own body's natural processes than on relying on external sources of things like enzymes. This type of strengthening support for your digestive system is sometimes enough to treat people's IBS symptoms without the need to make too many drastic changes in their diet.

If you are interested in learning more about my approach, I offer a complimentary 15 min consult just to meet and answer any of your questions you may have in person.

You can find my contact info at www.adaraclinic.ca

Kind Regards, Aviad Elgez, ND

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Thanks Aviad, I live near Academy of Lions, seems like the coolest place, although haven't yet seen the new location. I may be in contact with you. – Renee Jan 4 2012 at 19:43
Hi Renee, Yes, the Academy of Lions is a really great gym - they have one of the best gym-community I have ever met. It's worth visiting their new location, it's still under construction now in some sections, but it will an amazing place once it's all built. Have a great week. Kind Regards, Aviad – Aviad Elgez Jan 5 2012 at 1:04
Hi Aviad, I finally joined Academy of Lions! Going for first time today. Are you still working there at all? – Renee Apr 16 2012 at 20:12
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Well first off lets see if we can hack the issue. I'm no Naturopath Doctor, but I like to think I know a little bit.

What's your diet like?

When is your IBS at its worst?

Any known foods that seriously "trigger" it?

Any foods you are completely fine with and don't upset you at all?

Anything else you've tried, or want to add that would help?

Roland.

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Also, age, weight, body type, fitness level/ types of exercise you do... etc, the more info the better. – RolandPlain Jan 4 2012 at 13:56
And, how long have you been paleo? My IBS cleared up within a month or so just avoiding grains. – missionman Jan 4 2012 at 16:51
Thanks, Roland - I've posted a lot about my IBS on other threads, so I'm not going to repeat it here. I received a wide range of suggestions, too, but that tends to just make it more confusing. Missionman, I've been doing this 3 months, don't sense any progress. – Renee Jan 5 2012 at 1:15
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I only know of one - Natasha Turner. My 19 y/o daughter started seeing her this Fall and has seen major improvements in a number of health issues (IBS not one of them). Now...my only word of caution (besides the fact that I've never met her) is that she's also the author of a book that prescribes a specific diet. It has a lot of paleoesque elements to it, but I'm not sure where she stands on people doing their own thing. Have no idea. She recommended cutting dairy, all grains, and sugar. She's pro-meat, but not sure about paleo.

On a personal/clinical level, she sounds great.

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I used to have IBS symptoms, for a few years. It was misery.

I gradually gave stuff up, without consulting anybody, to try to cure it. Wheat was first (all grains came later), beans next, then sugar (not fruit or honey - I really mean I stopped eating sweets and drinking pop).

Now I almost never have problems. I like nuts, and sometimes if I eat too many I can get a relatively mild version of what I used to suffer from, but rarely anything and if it happens it's gone the next day and I don't have it again for ages.

If you don't know what is causing it, then ginger or peppermint are good for calming it in the meantime - obviously you want a solution though, so you have to analyse everything you eat. Some people have problems with any sort of insoluble fibre, so you might want to look at that.

Good luck, I know how miserable it can be. :-)

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Thanks! Yeah, I'm always in misery and have spent years analyzing everything I eat. Finally I was able to pinpoint what aggravates it: food. Lol. – Renee Jan 5 2012 at 1:17

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