Using binders for IBS

While binders are a great support for people suffering from IBS, they don’t get as much attention as popular products like probiotics, antimicrobials or prokinetics.

Binders are commonly used to remove toxins, including environmental toxins like mold mycotoxins and heavy metals from the GI tract.

In order to leave the body, toxins travel through the liver and then to the small intestine in the bile.  If toxins are not bound to anything, most of them will get reabsorbed in the gut. Binders will decreasing toxic reabsorption. Which will make most people feel better.

Not only are binders great for gut detox, but in some people they can help decrease bloating. Especially if the bloating is caused by pathogenic die off, or inflammatory reactions/sensitivities.

They are amazing detox support, especially helpful if you have eaten something that disagrees with you.

For example, if your immune system reacts to gluten, and you get “glutened” at a restaurant, the best way to decrease the inflammation and symptoms is by taking binders.

A gluten digesting enzyme, like Wheat Rescue, is a great precautionary measure when eating out with a gluten intolerance, and if you do get gluten, taking binders will lessen the damage to the gut lining (leaky gut).

How do binders work

Binders work by binding toxic substances in the gut and bile and escorting them out of the body.

They can also ease detox/die off symptoms from antimicrobial killing protocols.

They do this by binding to the endotoxins that the dying pathogens release. These endotoxins can cause bloating and inflammation.

Some binders can be used to balance hormones. Flax seeds are great for detoxing estrogen from the blood, especially when the liver is too sluggish or overwhelmed to do it.

Below are a list of different types of binders below. Each one has its unique benefits and precautions.

Best of the binders

Serum bovine immunoglobulins (SBIs)

I use SBIs with my clients to support low mucosal/gut immunity (low Sig A). Sig A is essential for fighting off pathogens and protecting the gut.

SBIs support the immune system as well as helping clean up the endotoxins produced by overgrowing and pathogenic organism in the gut. They bind to and help clean up the LPS endotoxins excreted by too much bad bacterial.

SBIs are best to use if you have low Sig A (secretory IGA) and an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria in the gut.

You can find out the status of your Sig A through a functional stool test like the GI Map. I order this test to help me clients pinpoint the root cause of IBS and digestive issues. Sig A is one of the most important markers on the test.

If Sig A is too low, we need to bring it before starting any killing protocol. Not only does this insure a higher likelihood of success but also cause fewer die off symptoms and less discomfort.

My favorite brand of SBIs is MegaIGG200 and can be found at this dispensary. You have to create an account and search for it. While this product is dairy free it should be avoided by those with beef allergies.

Flax seeds

Fiber is a great binder. Flax seeds are one of the best food-based binders. They help bind excess estrogen and are great for detoxing mold toxins.

Flax seeds contain a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber so if you are sensitive to insoluble fiber (some people with IBS are) then it’s best to consume flaxseed in small quantities or avoid them all together. Pectin, found in apples, plum and citrus is also a very good food-based binder.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a blue-green algae that can help remove heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, and mycotoxins from the body.

Chlorella is particularly good at binding to toxic metals instead of essential minerals.

It is particularly supportive to the liver and liver detox.

Charcoal

This inexpensive, all purpose binder has been used for decades. The best source comes from coconut shells.

Activated charcoal comes from wood, peat, or coconut shells ‘activated’ through heating. This creates little holes within the charcoal that trap toxins.  Because charcoal isn’t absorbed by your body it takes unwanted toxins with it when it passes through the GI tract.

While activated charcoal binds toxins, it can also bind vitamins and minerals. That is why it is best consumed on an empty stomach.

Also supplementing with trace minerals is a good idea if using charcoal long term.

This is the binder most commonly used to counteract effects of consuming foods you are sensitive to.

Clay: bentonite and zeolite

Bentonite and zeolite are two clay-based binders commonly used for binding mold biotoxins and heavy metals.

Bentonite clay comes from volcanic ash. Zeolite is a very strong binder and great from removing heavy metals.

Clays are more selective to binding toxins than charcoal, but can still bind to nutrients.

GI Detox is my favorite binder that contains clays in combination with charcoal. Use one to two capsules twice a day on an empty stomach for detox.

Fulvic and Humic Acids

Humic and Fulvic Acids are made of decomposed plant matter, essentially dirt. And are powerful at detoxifying glyphosate, a ubiquitous pesticide that can cause leaky gut.

When I did a parasite cleanse, I used a product called “Biotoxin Binder” from Cellcore Biosciences to help ease die off symptoms. Those herbs were strong and got rid of my parasites and I didn’t have too many die off symptoms while doing it thanks to the biotoxin binder.

Binders are a missing piece of most antimicrobial protocols, to help clean up the dead bugs and endotoxins so they don’t get reabsorbed into the body.

Die off symptoms can manifest as fatigue, flu like symptoms, headaches, mood swings, constipation, diarrhea or bloating.

Biotoxin binder contains humid and fulvic acid, molybendnum, broccoli sprouts and yucca root. You can find it here and use this code to create an account. HVDCBKCJ

The downside of binders

Because binders can bind to nutrients, they should also be taken away from food.

Take them at least 30 minutes before, or 1 hour after eating or taking any supplements or medications.

Binders can also cause constipation. They are sometimes used to address severe cases of diarrhea.

Ways to avoid this side effect is to drink plenty of water when you take them and/or use magnesium citrate to help keep the bowels moving.