MBDC IBS Blog




Physical Exercise Helps IBS!

By Charles Gerson, M.D.

While physical exercise is recommended to everyone as an important health habit with both physical and mental benefits, it is difficult to find proof of those benefits. In a recent research publication, the effect of a specific cardio-vascular exercise program on severity of IBS symptoms was studied in a rigorous protocol.

The effect was striking. Moderate to strenuous exercise for 20 to 60 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week for 12 weeks resulted in significant reduction in symptoms. Results were significantly better than a randomized control group who continued their normal activity. You can read our review of the study here.

What do we think? There are many ways in which patients with IBS can be helped. At the MBDC, we prefer to use non-prescription methods, as much as possible. What better way is there than a commitment to increase physical exercise. And who knows, maybe some of the improvement is from the psychological benefits of exercise, an added bonus.