GENERAL HEALTH FODMAPS TM DIET How sufferers are finding relief from IBS Around one in five Australians experiences the unpleasant symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at some time. These include abdominal pain, mucus in the stools, and alternating diarrhoea and constipation. Also referred to as ‘spastic colon’ or ‘irritable colon’, sufferers have sensitive bowels that are easily irritated. It tends to affect more women than men, with symptoms commonly first appearing in early childhood. Whilst the cause remains unknown, it is accepted that environmental factors such as changes of routine, emotional stress, infection and diet can trigger an attack. A large number of dietary triggers have been associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and aggravating bowel symptoms, common ones being fatty foods, fibrous foods, alcohol and caffeine. More recently, research has identified four groups of carbohydrate based food molecules termed FODMAPs™ that are difficult to digest and absorb by the digestive system. FODMAPs™ stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols. The ability to digest FODMAPs™ varies from person to person as does the severity of physical symptoms experienced. It has been identified the natural intestinal bacteria that live in the bowel feed on FODMAPs™ as a food source and as a result produce gas and by-products. The millions of nerve endings lining the gut can be sensitive to the excess gas production triggering undesirable symptoms and/or change in bowel pattern. While it is natural to produce gas from intestinal bacteria and common for many FODMAPs™ to be poorly absorbed, not Ingested FODMAPs™ Diarrhoea can result from the osmotic effect of FODMAPs™ and increased delivery of water into the small bowel Bloating, wind, pain, discomfort, and/ or constipation can result from excess gas production and luminal distension in the large bowel everybody experiences undesirable symptoms. It is thought some people have: 1) Greater gas production in the large intestine and/or existence of more highly sensitive nerve endings in the gut. 2) Bowel muscles that are more sensitive to distension and respond by increasing or decreasing gut motility. 3) Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine (small bowel bacterial overgrowth), which have migrated from the large intestine where they normally inhabit. Dietary restriction of FODMAPS™ in people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and aggravating bowel symptoms such as bloating, wind, pain, discomfort, diarrhoea and/ or constipation may be beneficial. Trialling a Low FODMAPS™ Diet for a six to eight week period under the guidance of an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) can help determine if FODMAPS™ are being poorly digested. If symptom improvement is achieved, foods can then be re-introduced to test for main dietary culprits and tolerance level. FODMAPS™ exist in our diet as Fructans, Galactans, Lactose, Fructose and Sugar Polyols. For a list of common high FODMAPS™ foods and more information search at: http://www.med. monash.edu/cecs/gastro/fodmap/. To find a local Accredited Practising Dietitian search at: http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/findan apd/ Produced by Amanda Cini Pindara Private Hospital Dietetic Team October 2015. Resources: The Monash University Low FODMAP Diet Department of Gastroenterology, Monash University “Dietary Triggers for IBS Symptoms: The Low FODMAP Diet Approach” International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders 2010-2014. “Extending Our Knowledge of Fermentable, Short Chain Carbohydrates for Managing Gastrointestinal Symptoms” Nutrition in Clinical Practice June 2013. "A FODMAP Diet Update: Craze or Credible?" Nutrition Issues in Gastroenterology December 2012. "Evidence Based Dietary Management of Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach” Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology February 2010. SMALL INTESTINE LARGE INTESTINE GAS GAS GAS GAS GAS GAS GAS GAS 18 Pindara Magazine 2015\2016
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Six
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