I've heard a lot on the forum that people use marshmallow to slow down the digestive tract.
What is it about marshmallows that help with this? I thought marshmallows, with high sugars, would speed up the digestive tract and make people have to go to bathroom more, resulting in more bowel movements?
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I'd guess it's the gelatin in marshmallows that helps. In any case, sugar can make J-pouchers more prone to a bacterial imbalance, and thus pouchitis or SIBO, but a sweet snack won't cause an immediate problem for most. Most don't even change their sugar consumption.
I have heard the same thing. My daughter has Jpouch with temp bag, take down this Wed. Her dietitian suggested Rice Krispy treats (homemade). I asked about the sugar and she said the rice and thickening effect kind of balance out the sugar. I started reading about marshmellow which I found out is a root. It is said that it can help treat UC because it coats the intestines. Never heard this from either Drs or Naturopaths she has been to. You can buy capsules in the health food stores. I´m not sure if it would have the same ¨thickening¨effect as actual marshmellows but it´s something that I was thinking of having my daughter try since her output is quite liquid.
Good luck.
I believe you are talking about 2 different things here: marshmallows, the treat that you toast over campfires, and the root of a plant also known as Marshmallow.
Having a ileostomy before take down surgery for J-pouch I was told to eat marshellows ten to fifteen minutes before changing bag it did work for me. It slows down digestion. I wasn't told by doctors I was told by someone on this general discussion page. Now that it has come up again I have to try it again now that I have j-pouch. I have forgotten about that. There is so much to learn and doing your own research helps. Everyone is not the same but if it helps one person that is a good thing.
As Grace mentioned, when I had the temp ileo, I would eat a handful of marshmallows 10-15 minutes before I had to change the bag. It worked very effectively.
The same strategy hasn't worked to slow digestion now that I have a jpouch.
Yeah I just don't understand how it works because marshmallows are sweet and usually sugar speeds up the GI track?
I've had a j pouche for a year now and have noticed when I get tired towards the end of the day I tend to get diarrhea. If I take three or four marshmallows before a meals it really helps to slow things down. I was told about marshmallows by the stomal therapist. They work for me and a good alternative to Lomitil (gastro stop)
