FODMAP-diet and general advice both effective for IBS

Posted on Thu, 20 Aug 15

Dietary changes based on a low-FODMAP diet and more traditional recommendations were equally effective, suggesting combined advice would be best.

Bloating, pain, distension, diarrhea and/ or constipation are collectively called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and affect approximately 1 in 4 people.

Certain foods aggravate symptoms, but these vary from person to person thus a number of different dietary approaches could work for symptom relief. In a new study researchers compared the FODMAP-diet (which restricts certain sugars and prebiotic fibers) with more traditional advice (a regular meal pattern; avoidance of large meals; and reduced intake of fat, insoluble fibers, caffeine and gas-producing foods such as beans, cabbage, and onions). 

After 4-weeks both approaches work equally well, with good reductions in IBS severity scores in 50% of people in the low FODMAP group and 46% of those in the traditional IBS diet group.

“A diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of IBS symptoms as well as traditional IBS dietary advice,” concluded the study investigators. “Combining elements from these 2 strategies might further reduce symptoms of IBS.”

My book, The Digestive Health Solution, does exactly that, by providing you with a complete food plan based on an easy-to-follow version of the low FODMAP-diet along with other dietary advice shown to quickly reduce IBS symptoms.

References: 

Böhn L, et al. Diet low in FODMAPs Reduces Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome as Well as Traditional Dietary Advice: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Gastroenterology. 2015 Aug 5. pii: S0016-5085(15)01086-0.