Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by food intolerance and abdominal pain, often occurring after consuming spicy or fatty foods and beverages including coffee or alcohol.  It is a common condition which affects more women than men, and at this time there is no cure for it.  Doctors and researchers have been searching for effective treatment options to relieve the discomfort that results from IBS, and further discoveries have been made about the condition itself.

Some Causes of IBS:

• Food poisoning
• Stress,
• Reaction to antibiotics
• Genetics

Gastroenteritis is linked with IBS because it heightens the sensitivity of nerve pain fibers which can result in pain even following recovery.  IBS tends to recur throughout a person’s lifetime and it can be debilitating.   While there is not currently a cure, peppermint has been known for years to ease the discomfort associated with IBS. 

Symptoms of IBS:

• Abdominal Pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Effective Management of IBS

Peppermint has been shown to effectively relieve the pain and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that individuals who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome experience.  Recent studies have indicated that it works by reducing the pain-sensing fibers located in the intestines which can be irritated by ingesting certain foods, including chili and mustard.

Due to the success researchers have found in treating IBS with peppermint, peppermint may be integrated into mainstream medicine as a treatment option.  The fact that health care practitioners are beginning to see peppermint as a viable option for treating this condition means that further breakthroughs for IBS sufferers could be just down the road.

Recent announcements by television broadcasters indicated that taking too much vitamin D may cause heart problems.  However, the basis for this claim was a study in which 132,000 people hadvitamin D levels above 100 ng/ml.  A very small percentage (291 people out of the 132,000) experienced slightly higher occurrences of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) compared with those with lower levels of vitamin D.

Recommended Dosage

Until the Institute of Medicine recently advised higher levels of vitamin D, the recommended level had been 20 ng/ml.   Most researchers and many health care practitioners agree that 20 ng/ml is far too low and that the minimum level should be at least 30 ng/ml, and ideally levels should range from about 40 to 80 ng/ml.

Most Americans (an estimated 70%) do not have sufficient levels of vitamin D, yet broadcasters warn against takAll Postsing too much.  Doctors can perform blood tests to determine currentvitamin D levels, and for those who are deficient, supplementation is recommended.  However, for the very small minority of those whose levels of vitamin D are more than sufficient (0.22%), supplementation would not be necessary.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Those who had levels of vitamin D between 61 and 80 ng/ml experienced a substantially decreased risk of diabetes compared to those who were vitamin D deficient.  In addition, those who had levels between 81 and 100 ng/ml experienced a significant decrease in occurrences ofhypertension compared to those who were deficient.

Reduced Risks in Those With Vitamin D Levels Higher Than 60ng/ml:

• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Kidney failure
• Depression
• Strokes in those who previously suffered a stroke

For most people, it is advisable to take vitamin D supplements.  While there was not substantial evidence to conclude that high levels of vitamin D cause heart problems, those who are deficient are at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease and other serious health conditions.