In a recent review in The Lancet, it was suggested that, with regard to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), "there is no easy treatment ... and no cure". Naturopathic therapists, however, report high levels of success in the longterm alleviation of the condition using whole vegetable fibre, but not bran which is "the wrong kind of fibre". As a straw poll, preliminary interviews carried out by one of the authors (SG) with three medical practitioners (two GPs and a consultant enterologist) and three naturopathic healers indicated wide differences in approaches to treatment and expectations of success. The medical practitioner mainly mentioned anti-spasmodic drugs, bulking agents and possibly mild anti-depressants, but expressed distinct lack of confidence that anything would be very effective. The naturopaths stressed dietary change, mainly centring around eating raw food, as the main treatment, and expressed confidence as to outcome, based on the experience of consultations with up to ten clients per week. When asked about the value of raw food, generally the medical practitioner did not understand the question, so the meaning of the term had to be explained. When asked about how fibre might be increased, their suggestions were fairly non-specific: for example, certain breakfast cereal and "fruit and veg". It seems likely, therefore, that patients consulting their doctors would not get advice on diet which naturopaths believe would be effective.
The Irritable Bowel: A Pathological or a Psychological Syndrome?