Low-FODMAP diet for IBS management

Firstly I would like to talk a little about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

IBS is a common condition defined as the presence of symptoms including bloating, altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. Incredibly, nearly one in ten people in the UK suffer from IBS and it is one of the greatest causes of work absenteeism. But we don't like to talk about it, do we? When I first began practicing as a nutritional therapist, I was staggered by the number of people, both adults and children, suffering from gastrointestinal distress. In fact, digestive complaints are among the most common reasons for individuals seeking medical help in the UK.

IBS has been a daunting problem for patients and doctors for decades and we have seen many drugs and different dietary fads come and go. However, in recent years a new management approach has been gradually changing the way that the role of diet in the management of IBS is viewed in medical circles. This new approach is a diet based on sound scientific and physiological mechanisms.

The low-FODMAP diet is a revolutionary new diet plan for managing symptoms in IBS, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease and other digestive disorders. It is the first programme scientifically proven to relieve the symptoms of IBS and 70 percent of IBS sufferers who fully adopt the low-FODMAP diet report a marked improvement in their symptoms.

FODMAP stands for Formentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccarides and Polyols. When the diet is followed properly, it provides all the nutrients you need and can help you stay IBS symptom-free long-term. Combined with good medical care, including testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and fructose and lactose intolerance, the diet can be individualised and tailored to each patient.

If you are troubled by IBS there is a good chance that you could find relief in following a low-FODMAP diet.