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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.”
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Interesting article. I’d like to see the FODMAP diet in detail in an article.
Hi
Will sprouting grains/beans/pluses help them be more digestible with the FODMAP approach? I believe it turns the starches in to simples sugars so its more like digesting a vegetable rather than a grain.
any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Thanks
James.
James, I was wondering the same thing. I try to eat traditional foods, like lacto-fermented vegetables, soaked nuts, and soaked/sprouted grains. I know that I can have fermented dairy products, whereas ultra-pasteurized milk causes problems with me. I am curious if soaked beans and soaked grains would be safe, whereas the modern forms of them are not. Let me know if you learn anything please.
Tonja
Can you direct me to a proven FODMAP diet to overcome IBs please?
For all that are interested the low FODMAP diet was developed by Dr Sheperd in Australia. Her website http://www.sheperdwork.com.au will provide you with a heap of information, factsheets & books. Here you can also ask them any questions you may have.
)
Hope this helps
sorry that should be http://www.sheperdworks.com.au
I personally found that the best way to deal with IBS and to cure the symptoms naturally is to
1) get rid of stress. If you’re stressed, your parasympathetic nervous system which governs your digestive system can’t work properly.
And as you already explained in this post
2) Eat right. Personally, a low starch diet has given me great results! I literally felt better the next day after leaving the things out that made me sick. Kind of obvious, but you have to find out about these things first.
Maybe it’s a bit different with everybody. But it’s always good to know your options
how about someone tells me what i CAN eat… enough about the dont’s and more about the do’s!
I agree with confused, what can i eat. The list of what you cant eat is sooo long. what i need is shopping list of what i can eat
Looking into the possibility that i have fructose Mal-absorption on top of Celiac’s. Dr. Shephards web site did not help at all. If anyone finds an article of the FODMAP diet i would be interested in reading it.
I agree with Lucy and Confused a list of the things that one can eat would be good.
Umm, Claire, I don’t mean to be offensive – but daily or weekly bouts of bloating, farting, burping, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea and serious hospitalising pain, sometimes all at once – yes – even constipation and diarrhoea simultaneously – will never be fixed by maintaining an unstressed life and “eating right”. I’ve learned to leave out all raw fruit and vegies, fake sweeteners, fruit and vegie skins, seeds, nuts, whole grains – what’s left – I’ve no idea, I’m going to hear a dietician speak about it on the 8th April and might have to buy the recipe book. And the lollies.
Um Wendy, where is the dietician talk that your going to being held?
Would you be able to share the info with us as well?
many thanks
Hi wendy yeh, let us know if you get any good info. I too just dont know if i can eat anything, even the ‘safe’ stuff seems a problem .And docs who say ‘well it can be psychological ‘ should sit next to my personal wind farm with enough gas to power a small village and tell me then that im imagining it. Oh and dietitions who say eat more cereal, do you REALLY need a degree for that??
I have rung Kings College London today as on their website they have 3 booklets about FODMAPS that links to a purchase page, but you have to buy 10, i only want one, am waiting for a e-mail to find out if i can get one of each. I have tried to start the diet on my own with lots of improvement but keep making mistakes, it seems so complicated but also makes so much sence. Does anyone know where else you can get them??
Umm, having exactly the same thoughts. Too think that fruit and veg was meant to be good for you, I live on, the stuff and fish. What else can be eaten??? !!! Would be glad of any suggestions please!
Just looked at the leaflets on Kings College, I guess the reason they sell them in packs of 10 is for dieticians… maybe I’ll buy 10 of one, and sell the other 9 to make my money back! How annoying…
Here is a link to a great little chart this outlines what foods to avoid and what foods are good to eat. Hope this helps. It has certainly helped me.
http://www.healthyfo…rances-0310.pdf
Hi Jo i will buy one off you xxx. Spoke to Kings College, they are for dietitions, well im trying it off my own back at the moment,(FODMAPS) even though its very complicated and the docs are not helping me, i might get malnutrition and die but just maybe the ibs will go.
I’ve just started on an elimination diet with the help of a very enthusiastic dietician. Already I have noticed a difference. I have list of foods that I can eat and NOT eat and so far found it easy to keep to. Let’s hope I found the answer to running to the loo every 20 mins, 3,4,5 times before heading off to work.