I know many of you may have or know someone who has Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS, a chronic disorder that causes alternating diarrhea and constipation, affects up to 1 in 5 U.S. adults today, many of them women. Living with IBS can be miserable.

But with natural therapies, I believe you can turn around the cycle of painful symptoms, enhance your quality of life and feel better than you have in years… even if you’ve been struggling with your digestion for a long time.

From the natural perspective, prevention is always the best “cure.” While family history plays a role, poor food choices and a stressful lifestyle are key culprits in digestive problems. The same foods and whole herbs that help prevent digestive problems can also help turn around an existing problem.

Here are a few tips that I’ve found to be extremely helpful in reducing digestive symptoms:

* Junk foods and IBS do not mix. Fast foods and microwaved foods (full of chemicals), fried foods (full of fat), refined foods (low in fiber) and sugars (feed candida yeast) all aggravate Irritable Bowel. Prepare healthy meals at home whenever possible. People with IBS do much better on recipes where they control the ingredients.

* Drink aloe vera juice before meals. Aloe has a longstanding reputation for rebuilding gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing inflammation and promoting normal bowel movements. Just 1-3 tsp. daily makes a big difference.

* Think mint. Clinical studies show mint (or peppermint) can reduce gas and bloating, very common in IBS sufferers. Its ability to relax the bowel muscles make it ideal for painful bowel spasms.