Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder of the bowel that causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Sherry Brescia is a health-insurance researcher who suffered from IBS and created this diet to help other individuals who suffer from this disorder. The effects of IBS make it difficult to enjoy many types of food without suffering painful digestion problems. Brescia calls her system the "Great Taste No Pain" diet. The diet purports to allow you to enjoy many foods without experiencing pain. As with any diet, you should speak with a medical professional prior to starting it.
"Great Taste No Pain" Diet
According to Brescia, the primary goal of this diet is not to lose weight but to prevent pain associated with IBS. However, you may achieve weight loss by following this diet because of the foods recommended. Weight loss may also help relieve some of the symptoms of IBS. As a sufferer of IBS, Brescia created the diet as a nonmedical solution to managing the pain associated with her condition. According to Brescia, by adopting an alkaline-based diet that avoids acidic food, you can minimize your IBS symptoms. The typical alkaline diet requires you to eat mostly vegetarian with very little protein and processed foods. However, the "Great Taste No Pain" diet is less restrictive than most alkaline diets.
The Food
The "Great Taste No Pain" diet allows you to eat virtually any type food. However, the diet also teaches you how to eat the right combinations of foods so your system stops functioning as an acidic environment. The diet allows you to eat fruits, vegetables, beef, chicken, pork and turkey, even chocolate. The only real diet modifications you have to make require you to change the combinations of foods that you eat. According to Brescia, by preparing your meals ahead of time, you can have the right alkaline-to-acid balance to achieve the optimal pH level.
Your pH
Brescia states that your pH level should remain at or above 7.35. When your pH level falls below 6.0, your body becomes acidic, making it an ideal environment for bacteria. When you have too much acid in your system, you have a medical condition known as "acidosis." According to Brescia, most individuals with IBS have a pH between 6.0 and 7.35. Through diet modification, Brescia claims you can increase your body's pH level above the recommended threshold.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS occurs when the muscles in your large intestine contract at different rates, including both faster and slower rates. These contractions manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Symptoms of IBS include constipation, sudden diarrhea, gas, cramping and varying degrees of pain. There are also different kinds of IBS including alternating diarrhea, predominant diarrhea and constipation IBS. According to "The ACP Handbook of Women's Health," IBS typically starts in the teen years or early adulthood, and this medical condition affects more women than men.
References
- "Great Taste No Pain: 112 of the Most Delicious, Delectable, Scrumptious, Yummy and Healthy Recipes"; Sherry Brescia; 2007
- "Great Taste No Pain! Manuals"; Sherry Brescia; 2000
- "The ACP Handbook of Women's Health"; Rose S. Fife, et al; 2009
