Low FODMAP for IBS

Canada has one of the highest percentages of people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - 18% vs 11% world wide. 

Of those people with IBS, 70% say it interferes with their daily life and 48% report missing school or work due to abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. These symptoms are so detrimental to quality of life that IBS patients reported they would give up 25% of their remaining life (15 years) to live a symptom-free life. 

The clinical cause of IBS is not fully understood, however it is thought that “IBS may result from a combination of gastrointestinal motility changes, visceral hypersensitivity, low-grade inflammation, altered microbiota, and food components.”

Food specifically has become a large focus in the treatment of IBS. One food based therapy, the low FODMAP diet, has demonstrated how reduction of highly and moderately fermentable foods positively impacts the symptoms of IBS. 

FODMAPs are fermentable sugars or carbohydrates called oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides that are present in some foods. These carbohydrates are poorly absorbed in our intestines and are fermented by our gut microbiome triggering symptoms, like gas. Aside from being highly fermentable, these short change carbohydrates have an osmotic effect, meaning they draw water into the small intestine. The combination of excess gas and water causes bloating and distension in our gut. This contributes to pain and changes in bowel habits - ie diarrhea. 

Fortunately the low FODMAP diet, which is low in highly fermentable foods, has been shown to help achieve symptom relief in up to 70% of IBS patients! Simply by changing what we eat, symptoms of IBS can be improved and sometimes resolved. 

I think this is pretty cool, the food we eat shifts our biochemistry - in fact it can also shift our microbiome, and reduce inflammation. Both of these factors are thought to contribute to IBS. 

IBS can make us feel desperate, but you do not need to give up 25% of your remaining life to live symptom-free. If you are looking for help with IBS and have questions about the low FODMAP diet, schedule a free 15 minute consultation to talk with Dr. Brandon Testa, ND.