A new diet recently introduced to the UK from Australia looks set to finally offer long-term treatment for the one in five Brits who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

IBS is a common functional disorder of the gut that can cause pain, bloating, wind, constipation and diarrhoea. Up to one in five people develop IBS at some stage in their life and it is twice as common in females as in men. It can affect anyone at any age, but it commonly first develops in young adults and teenagers.

This new form of dietary intervention called the ‘Low FODMAP’ diet has been described as a significant advancement by leading gastroenterologists. With a success rate of 70% among those who are already following it, the diet’s success is attributed to the restriction of foods containing poorly absorbed sugars or ‘FODMAPs’ from the diet.

Common foods containing FODMAPs include:
• Honey
• Apples and pears and stone fruits, such as peaches, plums and nectarines
• Onion, leek, garlic and artichoke
• Cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts – traditionally regarded as ‘windy’ vegetables
• Polyol sweeteners (e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol) often added to sugar-free varieties of gums, mints and chocolate
• Beans and pulses, such as baked beans, lentils and chickpeas

The diet works on the principle that not all sugars can be successfully ‘broken-down’ and absorbed within the small intestine. As a result, these sugars are rapidly fermented by bacteria in the bowel which draws in fluid and produces gas. This can cause a number of symptoms for those with a functional gut disorder, such as IBS, including bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Dr Peter Irving, Consultant Gastroenterologist at The London Clinic and London Digestive Health, has ‘transported’ the ‘Low FODMAP’ diet from Australia. Dr Irving comments: “Most treatments for IBS fail to improve symptoms in a significant proportion of people. Although many people with IBS are keen to try dietary therapy, in the past, studies of dietary treatments have either been of variable quality or have produced conflicting results. In contrast to this, the ‘Low FODMAP’ diet has been shown to be effective in a high quality, placebo controlled trial and is also supported by data from other studies investigating how it works.”

The ‘Low FODMAP’ diet is not as restrictive as some diets and most people find it easy to adhere to, therefore also significantly increasing its chance of long-term success among followers. Close consultation with a trained dietitian is of key importance as they can provide patients with an individualised diet plan. This plan will incorporate appropriate alternatives for ‘High FODMAP’ foods, while also ensuring their diet remains nutritionally adequate.

Dr Irving adds: “In the past, dietary intervention has mainly been non-specific and often just revolved around the removal of wheat and dairy products. However, everyone is different and what works well for one person with a functional gut disorder, may not work well for another. This new diet offers a really positive outlook for sufferers of IBS and other functional gut disorders.”

Related articles by Zemanta

• Soluble fibre ‘effective for IBS’ (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Soluble Fiber, But Not Bran, Soothes Irritable Bowel (nlm.nih.gov)