4 THINGS YOU'RE EATING THAT MAY BE CAUSING IBS

Vitamin A Palmitate

Sounds healthy, right? I mean, it’s a vitamin! I’m sure you’ve seen it in many food products, particularly dairy. But have you noticed it’s only in fat-free and reduced-fat items? Vitamin A Palmitate is hardly ever listed in the ingredients of full-fat yogurt or cheese….and there’s a reason!

The fat extracted from dairy to make non-fat items contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help you digest and function. So when the fat is removed, you’re left with an altered product, containing none of the nutrients it once had. So food manufacturers are required to “put back” what was removed when the fat was extracted in synthetic form (not natural).

Vitamin A Palmitate has been shown to not only give digestive issues but it’s also been shown to cause skin irritation and even birth defects and may damage fertility or the unborn child! – And yet it’s still “safe” and is added to foods every day! Other health hazards include an increased risk of cancer and depression. 

Citric Acid

It can be found on almost any food label and is one of the most common food additives proclaimed as “natural” and “healthy.” Well, it sure is natural but most certainly not healthy. Many think it’s a substance derived from citrus fruit, well that used to be correct. Sadly, today’s citric acid is completely different.

Citric acid is an organic acid that is a component of all aerobic living organisms, most commonly found in citrus and acidic fruits. “Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)” is also another term and sounds normal enough that you don’t think twice about it. It’s been used as an additive in processed foods for more than 100 years as a preservative, flavoring, and an emulsifier. It acts as a great preservative and thus, is found in many canned and jarred foods to prevent spoilage. Food intolerance to citric acid may trigger gastrointestinal upsets such as abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. 

Gums

Guar gum is a fiber derived from the seed of the guar plant. In food products, it’s used as a thickening, stabilizing, suspending, and binding agent. It’s also widely used in non-food items such as lotions, creams, toothpaste, etc. to help bind and thicken a substance. Common side effects of consuming guar gum are increased gas, bloating, diarrhea, and loose stools.

Xanthan gum is a complex exopolysaccharide, meaning that it is a polymer composed of sugar residues, secreted by a microorganism into the surrounding environment. It’s produced by a plant-pathogenic bacterium – a microorganism that causes several diseases in plants. Xanthan gum swells in the intestines, causing gas, bloating, cramping, and other issues associated with IBS.

Locust bean gum is considered a “natural” food additive that comes from the carob seeds of the carob tree. Similar to guar and xanthan gum, locust bean gum is a thickening and stabilizing agent and added to similar products as the other gums mentioned. Common side effects of consuming locust bean gum are nutrient absorption being blocked, and gastric emptying rate slowing down. 

Chicory Root Fiber

Something that may be causing you gas, bloating, and severe cramping and diarrhea may be the same thing you’re consuming intentionally to help with those issues! Say hello to Chicory Root Fiber (sometimes also referred to as “inulin” or “prebiotic fiber”). Most likely you’ve seen “chicory root fiber” or “inulin” listed in the ingredients of your protein bar, protein powder, high fiber cereals, bread, and even in your supplements.

Chicory root fiber is a special type of plant-based fiber, indigestible in the human body just like all fibers. Inulin is not digested in the small intestine but instead, travels intact to the colon (large intestine) and contributing to the bulk of our stools as well as acts as food for the friendly bacteria in our guts. Inulin naturally occurs in various produce and is commonly extracted from the roots of chicory plants and added to processed foods.