Low-Intensity Exercise Stimulate Bowel Movements, But IBS And Other Digestive Issues Comes From A Bad Diet By Joachim Bartoll https://joachimbartoll.com/2025/03/15/low-intensity-exercise-stimulate-bowel-movements-but-ibs-and-other-digestive-issues-comes-from-a-bad-diet/ https://joachimbartoll.com/2025/03/15/low-intensity-exercise-stimulate-bowel-movements-but-ibs-and-other-digestive-issues-comes-from-a-bad-diet/Â
1.
IBS and other digestive issues primarily stem from a bad diet1 . “Low-Intensity Exercise Stimulate Bowel Movements, But IBS And Other Digestive Issues Comes From A Bad Diet”1 .
2.
A diet high in unnatural and toxic carbohydrates, seed/vegetable oils, and toxins is a major cause of obesity and IBS2 . “Well, obesity and IBS are both the results of a very bad diet low in healthy and natural animal-based foods and instead high in unnatural and extremely toxic carbohydrates, seed/vegetable oils, and toxins, so no surprise here”2 .
3.
Fiber, plant-based antinutrients and defense chemicals, seed/vegetable oils, and man-made chemicals in processed foods are significant contributors to IBS2 . “As for IBS, some of the biggest offenders include fiber, plant-based antinutrients and defense chemicals, seed/vegetable oils, and man-made chemicals often found in processed foods”2 .
4.
The author advocates for a transition to a natural species-specific carnivore diet to fully heal and thrive3 . “With that said, they should have been handed a transition diet into our natural species-specific, species-appropriated carnivore diet, which should have eliminated all the above, and all other offenders as well.”3 .
5.
Low-intensity exercise stimulates bowel movements and digestion3 . “While it is established within biology and physiology that slow movements and very low-intensity exercise/physical work stimulate bowel movements and digestion…”3 .
6.
Moderate- to high-intensity exercise can shut down digestion and bowel movements temporarily4 . “And as a note, moderate- to high-intensity exercise does the opposite, as it requires a lot of blood flow to the muscles to meet metabolic demands, and it also puts the body in a state of emergency, as in a fight-or-flight response.”4 .
7.
Frequent bowel movements (more than once a day) can indicate a bad diet5 . “Frequent bowel movements, as in more than once a day, is an indicator that your diet is extremely bad and your body is doing all it can to push the “food” out as it is toxic, low in nutrients, and damaging to the intestines.”5 .
8.
On a natural human diet (carnivore), bowel movements may occur every other day due to high nutrient absorption6 . “When following our species-specific, species-appropriate and natural human diet, bowel movements will usually happen every other day or so due to the immensely high breakdown and utilization of the food, leaving very little waste.”6 .
9.
Large and frequent stools can be a sign of a poor, toxic, and nutrient-deficient diet7 . “Having to visit the bathroom frequently and also having quite large stools is a very strong indicator of a very bad, toxic and lacking diet, where very little nutrition is absorbed.”7 .
10.
While low-intensity exercise like Pilates may improve IBS symptoms, it doesn't address the underlying dietary cause7 .... “That depends on the diet. Any slow-paced and low-intensity exercise will stimulate digestion, which can be a “good thing” if you have digestive problems. However, that is not addressing the root problem, that is not tackling the thing that is causing your digestive problems.”7 . “Instead you need to remove all the offending foodstuffs, which are anything plant-based and processed.”8 .
11.
The dietary guidelines in the study, while including some decent advice, should have been a transition to a carnivore diet3 .... “These guidelines are decent enough, especially avoiding the tremendously damaging fiber and spicy foods (spices contain very large amounts of antinutrients and defense chemicals.)”9 . “With that said, they should have been handed a transition diet into our natural species-specific, species-appropriated carnivore diet, which should have eliminated all the above, and all other offenders as well.”3 .
12.
The study mentioned used a Pilates program with two 45-minute sessions per week, which the author suggests could have been more effective with shorter, more frequent sessions3 . “This is very weird. While it is established within biology and physiology that slow movements and very low-intensity exercise/physical work stimulate bowel movements and digestion, only doing it twice a week is very little if you are to investigate the effects.”3 .
13.
The study showed an increase in complete bowel movements and a decrease in fatigue, anxiety, and depression symptoms in the group that combined Pilates with dietary guidelines4 . “The frequency of complete bowel movements (without the use of laxatives or enemas) increased compared to the control group, and the severities of fatigue, anxiety, and depression symptoms decreased.”4 .
14.
The author, Joachim Bartoll, has extensive experience and bases his views on his own experiences, knowledge, and observations10 .... “Founder of the first Health & Fitness internet community Ironmag in 1996, former Editor-in-Chief for two magazines within the health and extreme sports industry, founder of Sweden’s largest discussion board Kolozzeum, writer and author for over 29 years with more than 600 officially published articles, more than 1600 self-published articles, and 8 books.”10 . “Everything you read on this website are my thoughts, views and speculations based on my experiences, knowledge and what I see daily.”11 .
15.
The author offers coaching and consultation services for those interested in transitioning to an animal-based (carnivore) diet8 .... “If you need help with any kind of health problems or transitioning from your current way of eating to our natural species-appropriate, species-specific way of eating, I’m available for both coaching and consultation.”8 . “Animal-based (carnivore) educational coaching, fat loss coaching, and consulting services on health and nutrition.”12 .
Main Themes:
Critique of a Study on Pilates and Dietary Guidelines for IBS: Bartoll analyzes an 8-week randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of Pilates combined with dietary guidelines on women with constipation-predominant IBS and overweight/obesity. He acknowledges the study's finding that Pilates alongside dietary changes improved bowel movement frequency and reduced fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
Emphasis on Diet as the Root Cause of Digestive Issues: Bartoll strongly asserts that IBS and other digestive problems are primarily caused by a "bad diet" high in "unnatural and extremely toxic carbohydrates, seed/vegetable oils, and toxins," and low in "healthy and natural animal-based foods."
Rejection of Plant-Based Foods and Fiber: A central argument is that "fiber, plant-based antinutrients and defense chemicals, seed/vegetable oils, and man-made chemicals often found in processed foods" are major contributors to IBS. He considers even the study's dietary guidelines (avoiding insoluble fiber, processed, fatty, or spicy foods, and limiting caffeine, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks) insufficient. He specifically criticizes fiber as "tremendously damaging."
Advocacy for a Carnivore Diet: Bartoll proposes a "natural species-specific, species-appropriated carnivore diet" as the only way to truly heal digestive issues by eliminating "all the offending foodstuffs, which are anything plant-based and processed." He claims this diet provides fully bioavailable nutrients and removes the "toxic load."
Nuance on Exercise and Bowel Movements: While the title highlights low-intensity exercise's positive effect on bowel movements (citing biology and physiology), Bartoll suggests the study's protocol of two 45-minute Pilates sessions per week was insufficient in frequency. He recommends shorter (20-30 minutes) sessions 4-5 times a week. He also points out that moderate- to high-intensity exercise can hinder digestion.
Interpretation of Bowel Movement Frequency: Bartoll offers his perspective that frequent bowel movements (more than once a day) with large stools are indicators of a poor diet and the body trying to expel toxins. He contrasts this with the expected bowel movement frequency (every other day or so) on a carnivore diet due to high nutrient absorption and minimal waste.
Most Important Ideas and Facts:
The studied population had overweight/obesity and constipation-predominant IBS with moderate to severe symptoms. Quote: “All of the participants had overweight or obesity as well as constipation-predominant IBS with moderate or severe symptom severity (based on the IBS Severity Scoring System).” Bartoll interprets this co-occurrence as evidence of a shared root cause: a bad diet.
The dietary guidelines in the study advised moderately sized meals, sufficient water intake, and avoidance of insoluble fiber, processed, fatty, and spicy foods, along with limiting certain beverages. Bartoll considers these "decent enough," particularly the avoidance of fiber and spicy foods.
The Pilates exercise program involved two 45-minute sessions per week with progressively increasing sets. Bartoll deems this frequency low for investigating the full effects on digestion.
The study found an increase in complete bowel movements and a decrease in fatigue, anxiety, and depression in the Pilates group compared to the diet-only group. Quote: “The frequency of complete bowel movements (without the use of laxatives or enemas) increased compared to the control group, and the severities of fatigue, anxiety, and depression symptoms decreased.” While acknowledging this positive outcome, Bartoll believes it only addresses symptoms and not the underlying dietary problem.
Bartoll posits that low-intensity exercise stimulates bowel movements, while moderate- to high-intensity exercise can temporarily shut down digestion. He suggests this is why Pilates was chosen for the study.
Bartoll claims frequent bowel movements with large stools indicate a "very bad, toxic and lacking diet," whereas less frequent, smaller bowel movements suggest high nutrient absorption on a carnivore diet.
Quotes:
On the cause of IBS and obesity: "Well, obesity and IBS are both the results of a very bad diet low in healthy and natural animal-based foods and instead high in unnatural and extremely toxic carbohydrates, seed/vegetable oils, and toxins, so no surprise here."
On problematic food components: "As for IBS, some of the biggest offenders include fiber, plant-based antinutrients and defense chemicals, seed/vegetable oils, and man-made chemicals often found in processed foods."
On the study's dietary guidelines: "These guidelines are decent enough, especially avoiding the tremendously damaging fiber and spicy foods (spices contain very large amounts of antinutrients and defense chemicals.)"
On the limitations of the study's intervention: "Yes, they did not get as clogged up with the new diet as with their old eating habits, and the sessions with Pilates stimulated bowel movements further, however, the low-intensity exercise will only improve symptoms when it’s executed. So, again, it would have made more sense with a bit shorter sessions and a higher frequency..."
On the ideal dietary solution: "Instead you need to remove all the offending foodstuffs, which are anything plant-based and processed. In other words, you need to transition to our natural human carnivore diet which will remove the toxic load and finally supply your body with fully bioavailable nutrients, allowing it to heal. That is the only way, and it’s truly simple and logical."
On his interpretation of frequent bowel movements: "Having to visit the bathroom frequently and also having quite large stools is a very strong indicator of a very bad, toxic and lacking diet, where very little nutrition is absorbed."
Overall Perspective:
The author, Joachim Bartoll, uses the findings of a study on Pilates and dietary guidelines for IBS as a springboard to reiterate his strong belief that a carnivore diet is the optimal and only true solution for digestive issues. He dismisses plant-based foods and fiber as inherently toxic and damaging, advocating instead for a diet consisting primarily of animal products. While he acknowledges the potential of low-intensity exercise to stimulate bowel movements, he views it as a symptomatic treatment rather than addressing the root cause, which he firmly believes lies in dietary choices.
Low-intensity exercise, such as Pilates, yoga, or slow-paced walking, can stimulate bowel movements because slow movements and low-intensity activity promote digestion. Moderate to high-intensity exercise, conversely, can divert blood flow away from the digestive system.
The dietary guidelines advised participants to eat moderately sized meals at consistent times, drink enough water, and avoid insoluble fiber, processed foods, fatty foods, spicy foods, as well as limit caffeinated, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks.
The author identifies carbohydrates, seed/vegetable oils, plant-based antinutrients and defense chemicals, fiber, and man-made chemicals in processed foods as major contributors to IBS and weight gain.
The author suggests that frequent bowel movements, more than once a day, can indicate that the body is trying to expel toxic and nutrient-poor food quickly due to a bad diet.
The author's primary recommendation is to transition to a natural human carnivore diet that eliminates all plant-based and processed foods to remove the toxic load and provide bioavailable nutrients, allowing the body to heal.
According to the author, someone following their proposed natural human diet will usually have bowel movements every other day or so due to the high nutrient absorption and minimal waste production.
The author advocates for a carnivore diet, consisting of meat, animal fats, and some organ meats, as the natural and species-appropriate diet for humans.
The author believes that moderate- to high-intensity exercise requires increased blood flow to the muscles and triggers a fight-or-flight response, which temporarily shuts down digestion and bowel movements.
The author recommends avoiding all plant-based foods (including fiber, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes), processed foods, seed and vegetable oils, and spicy foods for better digestive health.
The main finding of the study was that the addition of Pilates to dietary guidelines led to an increase in the frequency of complete bowel movements and a decrease in the severity of fatigue, anxiety, and depression symptoms in women with constipation-predominant IBS.
Glossary of Key Terms
Antinutrients: Natural or synthetic compounds found in plant-based foods that can interfere with the absorption of nutrients.
Bioavailable: Refers to nutrients that are easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
Bowel Movements: The discharge of waste matter from the intestines; defecation.
Carnivore Diet: A diet consisting primarily or exclusively of animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy.
Dietary Guidelines: Recommendations for healthy eating patterns intended for the general public.
Dietary Toxic Load: The accumulation of harmful substances consumed through diet that can negatively impact health.
Digestion: The process by which food is broken down in the digestive system into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): A common disorder that affects the large intestine, characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
Insoluble Fiber: A type of dietary fiber that does not dissolve in water and adds bulk to stool, often associated with promoting bowel regularity.
Low-Intensity Exercise: Physical activity performed at a relatively low level of exertion, such as walking, yoga, or Pilates.
Obligate Hypercarnivores: Animals whose diet consists of at least 70% meat. The author suggests humans are naturally this type of eater.
Processed Food: Foods that have been altered from their natural state, often containing added ingredients such as sugar, salt, and artificial substances.
Seed Oil/Vegetable Oil: Oils extracted from plant seeds (e.g., sunflower, canola) or fruits (e.g., soybean, corn), which the author considers toxic.
Species-Appropriate Diet: A diet that is consistent with the evolutionary history and biological needs of a particular species. The author argues a carnivore diet is species-appropriate for humans.
Toxins: Poisonous substances produced by living organisms or through industrial processes that can be harmful to the body.
Unsaturated Fats: Types of fats, often liquid at room temperature and found in plant-based oils, which the author argues are detrimental to health.
Summary
This web page excerpt from Joachim Bartoll's official website presents an article arguing that while low-intensity exercise like Pilates can stimulate bowel movements, the primary cause of IBS and other digestive problems is a poor diet. The author heavily criticizes common dietary guidelines, particularly the inclusion of fiber and plant-based foods, suggesting these contain harmful antinutrients and toxins. Instead, Bartoll advocates for a species-appropriate, animal-based (carnivore) diet as the true solution for digestive health, believing it provides optimal nutrients and eliminates toxic substances. The page also includes information about the author's background, coaching services, and links to related articles promoting his dietary philosophy.
The primary context for discussing dietary guidelines in the source is the 8-week randomized controlled trial involving women with constipation-predominant IBS1 . In this study, all participants received dietary guidelines that advised them on several aspects of their eating habits2 . These guidelines included recommendations to:
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Eat moderately sized meals at consistent times2 .
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Drink enough water2 .
•
Avoid insoluble fiber and processed, fatty, or spicy foods2 .
•
Limit the consumption of caffeinated, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks2 .
The author, Joachim Bartoll, offers his perspective on these dietary guidelines2 . He finds them "decent enough, especially avoiding the tremendously damaging fiber and spicy foods (spices contain very large amounts of antinutrients and defense chemicals.)"2 . He also agrees with avoiding caffeine and alcohol as a matter of "common sense"2 . Regarding fatty foods, he concurs with their avoidance in this context because he believes the participants were likely consuming "processed fatty junk foods" containing toxic seed/vegetable oils (plant-based unsaturated fats)2 .
However, the author's main criticism of these dietary guidelines is that they did not go far enough3 . In his view, the participants "should have been handed a transition diet into our natural species-specific, species-appropriated carnivore diet, which should have eliminated all the above, and all other offenders as well"3 . He firmly believes that "we can only fully heal and thrive on our natural diet"3 , which he defines as a carnivore diet3 ....
This perspective aligns with the author's overarching argument, which we discussed previously [our conversation history] in the context of IBS. He posits that IBS and other digestive issues are fundamentally caused by a "very bad diet" high in substances like fiber, plant-based antinutrients, seed/vegetable oils, and processed food chemicals5 . Therefore, according to the author, any dietary guidelines that do not completely eliminate these "offending foodstuffs" are merely addressing symptoms rather than the root cause4 ....
While the study found that the dietary guidelines, even without the carnivore emphasis, did lead to some improvements (as suggested by the increased frequency of bowel movements in the Pilates group compared to the control)7 , the author maintains that true healing requires a transition to a carnivore diet3 .... He argues that this is the only way to remove the "toxic load" from plant-based and processed foods and provide the body with fully bioavailable nutrients, allowing it to heal4 .
In summary, the source discusses a specific set of dietary guidelines used in an IBS study, which the author acknowledges as having some merit, particularly in their restriction of fiber and processed foods. However, the author fundamentally believes that optimal dietary guidelines for individuals with IBS and other digestive issues should center around a complete transition to a carnivore diet, as this is the only way to address the underlying dietary causes of these conditions3 ....
TRANSCRIPT OF LM AI PODCAST
Lenny or Maria:
Lenny: It seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone's got a different opinion about the best way to eat for a healthy gut.1
Maria: Oh, yeah. Absolutely.1
Lenny: And well, you know, I'm sure like many of our listeners, I've definitely spent a good chunk of time reading about all the different ideas out there.1
Maria: Yeah, me too.1
Lenny: But today, we're going to zero in on one particular aspect of this whole diet and gut health conversation.1
Maria: Okay, sounds good.1
Lenny: And that is indigestible fiber.1
Maria: Okay,1
Lenny: we're going to try to understand how it might affect our digestive systems for better or worse.1
Maria: Interesting.1
Lenny: So, we're diving deep into an article by Yo Kartol.2
Lenny: He's got some pretty strong opinions based on a study that he analyzed.2
Maria: Okay.2
Lenny: This study looked at women with IBS and the effects of Pilates and dietary guidelines.2
Maria: Interesting.2
Lenny: But for this deep dive, we're really interested in Bartal's perspective specifically on fiber.2
Maria: Right.2
Lenny: So, his articles titled, "Lownt inensity exercise stimulates bowel movements, but IBS and other digestive issues come from a bad diet."2
Maria: Catchy title.2
Lenny: Right. So, our mission here is to break down his claims about indigestible fiber and how it might impact the gut.2
Maria: Okay.3
Lenny: And we're going to stick closely to what's actually presented in the article.3
Maria: All right.3
Lenny: Let's get started. Um, Bartal kicks things off by calling fiber one of the biggest offenders for people dealing with IBS.3
Maria: Okay.3
Lenny: And he lumps it in with things like plant anti-nutrients, seed, and vegetable oils, and all those processed chemicals we find in so many foods,3
Maria: right?3
Lenny: He argues that this bad diet and he specifically defines it as being low in animal-based foods and high in these other components3
Lenny: that this is what causes digestive issues like IBS.4
Maria: Okay.4
Lenny: He even talks about something called dietary toxic load which he says leads to toxic damage in our intestines.4
Maria: Oh, those are some pretty strong words, right?4
Lenny: Yeah, it's a pretty bold statement. What's your initial reaction to that kind of claim?4
Maria: Well, I think what's fascinating here is just how broad his argument is.4
Maria: You know, he's not just singling out indigestible fiber,4
Maria: right? He's putting it in this whole category of dietary villains, so to speak, specifically things that come from plants.4
Lenny: And he's really convinced that they're doing harm.5
Maria: Yeah. And the way he uses those terms, toxic damage, that definitely grabs your attention.5
Lenny: For sure.5
Maria: It makes you wonder if this is a common view of fiber or if it's kind of an outlier.5
Lenny: Yeah.5
Lenny: Now, the article doesn't actually go into the nitty-gritty of how indigestible fiber would physically damage the intestinal wall on its own,5
Lenny: right?5
Lenny: But he's definitely implying that it plays a role in this toxic load that comes from a diet he sees as fundamentally bad for humans.5
Maria: Yeah, it is interesting how he frames it in such a negative light.6
Maria: We often hear about fiber being protective for the gut lining.6
Lenny: That's true.6
Lenny: So, it really highlights just how much disagreement there can be in this field.6
Maria: Yeah, definitely.6
Maria: So, let's move on to fermentation now.6
Lenny: Okay.6
Maria: We know this process can lead to gas production which can be super uncomfortable.6
Lenny: Oh, yeah.6
Maria: The article mentions that the dietary guidelines in this study advised women with IBS to steer clear of insoluble fiber7
Lenny: and Bartol agrees with this guideline which suggests he's linking insoluble fiber to some of those unpleasant digestive symptoms.7
Maria: Okay.7
Maria: So based on what he's written, what can we infer about why he might hold this view?7
Lenny: Well, if we consider his overall stance on diet,7
Lenny: right,7
Lenny: it seems like he's coming from a place where he believes the human digestive system isn't really built to handle insoluble fiber very well.7
Maria: Okay,8
Maria: the article doesn't dive into the specific biochemistry of fermentation that's happening in the colon,8
Maria: but the fact that he's on board with avoiding insoluble fiber for IBS, that tells us he recognizes its potential to make people feel pretty crummy.8
Lenny: Makes sense.8
Maria: Gas and bloating are so common with IBS.8
Maria: And we know that those are often a result of gut bacteria going to town on those indigestible carbs, like some types of insoluble fiber. So, we can kind of connect the dots and infer that this association is a big part of his thinking.8
Lenny: Yeah. So even though he doesn't spell out the exact mechanism, right,9
Lenny: his agreement with that dietary guideline really points to this link between insoluble fiber and those IBS symptoms.9
Maria: Okay, that lines up with his argument that an animal-based diet is the ideal.9
Lenny: Yeah, definitely.9
Lenny: Now, let's shift gears a bit and talk about the colonic microbiota.9
Maria: Okay,9
Maria: you know, that community of bacteria living in our gut.9
Lenny: Mhm.9
Maria: So, can indigestible fiber really mess with the balance of that delicate ecosystem.9
Lenny: That's a really good question.9
Lenny: I mean, it's a super complex area.9
Maria: Oh, it is.10
Maria: The source doesn't give us specifics on how this might happen, but Bartol clearly has strong opinions about what a healthy gut microbiome should look like.10
Lenny: Yeah, this is where his core assumptions really come into play.10
Lenny: He's a big advocate for what he calls a species specific carnivore diet.10
Lenny: He believes that's the best thing for our gut health.10
Lenny: And from that perspective, he sees plant-based foods, including fiber, as being toxic.10
Maria: Wow.10
Maria: And he believes they mess with what he considers the natural healthy balance of our gut bacteria.10
Lenny: So, he's basically saying any plant material is disrupting things.11
Maria: Pretty much.11
Maria: He even goes so far as to say that going to the bathroom more than once a day is a sign of a bad diet.11
Maria: Yeah. He thinks it's the body's way of trying to get rid of all those toxic foods.11
Lenny: That's interesting.11
Lenny: This really suggests he thinks any significant amount of indigestible fiber is going to push the gut microbiome out of whack, moving it away from that ideal carnivore state. He's talking about.11
Maria: Yeah, that is a pretty specific interpretation.11
Lenny: It is.12
Lenny: Especially when you consider that a lot of researchers highlight the good things fiber does for our gut bacteria.12
Maria: Yeah, it's a different perspective for sure.12
Lenny: Makes you wonder about what the research really says about how often we should be having bowel movements.12
Maria: It does.12
Maria: Now, I want to address something that you sometimes see floating around online.12
Lenny: Okay.12
Maria: You know, in those less credible corners of the internet.12
Lenny: Yeah, I know the places you mean.12
Maria: Exactly.12
Maria: So, does eating too much indigestible fiber cause those, you know, epic genetic changes.12
Lenny: Epic genetic changes.13
Maria: Yeah. Like permanently altering our genes, right?13
Maria: And I've really combed through Barl's article and and there's just nothing in there about genetic changes being linked to fiber intake.13
Lenny: A little bit.13
Maria: Nope. Not even a little bit.13
Maria: Whether it's a little fiber or a ton of fiber, it's just not mentioned.13
Lenny: Okay. So, that one we can put to rest then.13
Maria: Yeah. His arguments are all about the more immediate effects of what we eat on our digestion and the overall envirment. ment in our gut,14
Maria: not about these long-term genetic modifications.14
Lenny: Oh, that's good to know.14
Lenny: So, based on this source, the answer to that question is a clear no.14
Maria: Makes sense.14
Maria: Now, the article does touch on other points of view briefly.14
Lenny: Okay.14
Lenny: Even though Bartal is pretty critical of them.14
Maria: Yeah.14
Maria: He mentions examin.com14
Maria: and the dietary guidelines from the study that we talked about, the ones that recommended avoiding insoluble fiber for people with IBS.14
Lenny: Yeah.14
Maria: So, this suggests that even within more mainstream nutrition advice. There's a recognition that some types of fiber might not sit well with everyone.14
Maria: Yeah. Especially those who already have digestive issues, right?14
Lenny: So, what do you make of that?15
Maria: Well, I think it's really interesting how Bartal positions his own recommendations against these more conventional guidelines.15
Maria: He agrees that limiting insoluble fiber for folks with IBS is a good idea,15
Maria: but he basically says those guidelines don't go far enough.15
Maria: In his view, the real solution is n't just to cut back on certain plant-based things like insoluble fiber, but to ditch them almost entirely by adopting a full-blown carnivore diet.15
Lenny: That's quite a leap.15
Maria: It is.16
Maria: He thinks that's the most logical and effective way to tackle digestive problems.16
Lenny: So, he's saying get rid of all plants16
Lenny: eventually.16
Maria: Yeah. He believes they all contribute to this toxic load he keeps talking about.16
Lenny: Wow. Okay. So, we're seeing a pretty big difference in dietary philosophies here.16
Maria: Yeah, definitely big difference.16
Maria: So, just to sum up based on what we've read, In this article,17
Maria: Bartl's argument is that indigestible fiber is a major culprit when it comes to digestive problems like IBS.17
Maria: And he especially sees it as a problem when it's part of a diet that's full of plant-based and processed foods.17
Maria: He believes it contributes to this toxic load that can damage the intestines.17
Maria: Although he doesn't really explain exactly how fiber itself would cause that damage.17
Lenny: Yeah.17
Maria: He agrees with the advice to avoid insoluble fiber if you have IBS.17
Maria: Probably because he can it to fermentation and all those uncomfortable symptoms that come with it.17
Lenny: Makes sense.17
Maria: And he also thinks that eating any significant amount of fiber throws off the balance of our gut bacteria.18
Lenny: Yeah.18
Lenny: And remember, he believes a carnivore diet is the way to keep those bacteria happy.18
Maria: Right.18
Maria: And importantly, this source doesn't say anything at all about indigestible fiber causing any kind of genetic changes.18
Lenny: Good point. It's important to clarify that.18
Maria: Yeah, for sure.18
Maria: So, I think that's a really good summary of Bartal's perspective.18
Lenny: I think so, too.18
Lenny: And, you know, it's crucial for our listeners to keep in mind that everything we've discussed today is based solely on this one article.19
Maria: Exactly.19
Maria: We haven't brought in any other sources or perspectives.19
Maria: And that brings us to our final thought19
Maria: for our listeners.19
Lenny: Okay.19
Lenny: So, we've heard Barl's pretty strong stance on19
Lenny: indigestible fiber.19
Lenny: He sees it along with a bunch of other plant-based foods as a main driver of digestive issues.19
Maria: Yeah.19
Maria: But this is obviously different from the more common dietary advice we often hear,19
Maria: right? The advice that emphasizes the benefits of fiber.19
Lenny: Exactly.19
Lenny: So given these contrasting viewpoints, what kind of research or information would help you personally figure out the connection between what you eat and how your gut feels?20
Maria: That's a great question20
Maria: because let's be real, it's a complex and individual thing.20
Lenny: Oh, absolutely.20
Lenny: There's no oneizefits-all answer. N20
Lenny: so this deep dive is just a starting point.20
Maria: Yeah, it gives us something to think about.20
Lenny: It's food for thought as you navigate the world of diet and gut health.20
Maria: I like that food for thought.20
Maria: So, thanks for joining us. on this deep dive.20
Lenny: It's been a fascinating discussion.20
Maria: I agree. Until next time.20
Lenny: See you then.20