Low-FODMAP Diet for IBS Sufferers Explained
So, plain old IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is something which most of us are familiar with. It can be caused by a number of factors including wheat, rye and barley, fatty and spicy foods, products with high lactose, certain fruits and vegetables, etc. For those of you who don’t know, Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal di
sorder which is common among adults in Australia, America and most parts of Europe and Asia. The condition is mainly characterized by chronic and relapsing symptoms, such as:
Lower abdominal pain and discomfort
Bloating
Wind
Distension and altered bowel habit
Since the symptoms of IBS are many, diagnosis should always be carried out by a qualified medical practitioner before treatment can begin. The FODMAP Diet
While carbohydrates have got a bad rap for hundreds of years as being the main cause of various digestive disorders, recent studies have revealed that following a low FODMAP diet can have a significant impact on IBS patients. Well, to start off, the acronym stands for;
F ─ Fermentable
O ─ Oligosaccharides, which basically means short chain carbohydrates
D ─ Disaccharides (lactose)
M ─ Monosaccharides (fructose)
A ─ and
P ─ Polyols (Sorbitol and Mannitol)
In recent times, the FODMAP diet is gaining traction and rightly so. FODMAPs are mainly found in everyday foods such as, milk and ice cream, apples, pears, watermelon, honey, wheat, onions and garlic, legumes and prunes, sugar-free gum, and mints, just to name a few. FODMAPs have shown to have a cumulative impact on gastrointestinal symptomssimply because research has shown that they all share one specific characteristic, which is, they are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, consequently producing symptoms of IBS. Patients that are on a FODMAP diet go without consuming any FODMAP-rich foods, which includes, wheat, apples, pears, plums and peaches, along with the onion family and artichokes for eight weeks. Windy foods, such as, cabbage and beans are also avoided, as are sweeteners, which are commonly found in chewing gum, chocolate, and sugar-free varieties of mint. In a recent study, over 75% of IBS patients showed an improvement while on the FODMAP diet. Research also backs the fact that ingesting FODMAPs exacerbate symptoms in most people with IBS, while dietary restriction of FODMAPs improves their symptoms. FODMAPs aren’t for Everyone
As it is with all forms of treatment, everybody is different. Similar to gluten, some people respond negatively to a high level of FODMAPs, while in others, high levels of FODMAPs result in no ill effects. This means that while some people will notice an incredible improvement by reducing their FODMAPs intake, there will be those who don’t. It’s always best to discuss any changes you wish to bring to your diet, especially if you are suffering with IBS. If you are considering a low-FODMAP diet, talk to your doctor or dietitian first before making any drastic changes to your everyday routine. The internet is filled with great articles by credible sources, so use them to find out the information you need on IBS and the FODMAP diet.