Understanding Fodmaps & It’s Relationship With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A low FODMAP diet is a type of dietary restriction that can help reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder. The acronym "FODMAP" stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides And Polyols, which are short-chained carbohydrates found in foods like wheat, milk products and legumes. These carbohydrates are incompletely absorbed in the small intestine but rather pass into the colon where they then get fermented by bacteria. This process causes an increase in gut motility due to osmotic effects and can lead to bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea among other symptoms that affect your quality of life.
What are FODMAPs?
FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that can be poorly absorbed. They include:
Fructose (also found in fruit), which is sometimes called “fruit sugar”
Lactose (the main sugar in dairy)
Galactans or galacto-oligosaccharides (found in beans and pulses)
Fermentable foods
Polyols - found in some fruit, vegetables & used as some artificial sweeteners
Some people find that these types of carbohydrates cause digestive problems such as bloating, abdominal pain or diarrhea.
How do FODMAPs affect IBS?
FODMAPs are react poorly in the large intestine, which means they can cause bloating and pain.
FODMAPs are found in many common foods, but some people are more sensitive to them than others.
A low FODMAP diet helps reduce symptoms in people with IBS
What is a low FODMAP diet?
The low FODMAP diet is a short-term diet that many people with IBS find helpful. It's not a long term solution. To be on the low FODMAP diet requires careful monitoring of food intake and restrictions on some foods (which are known as "FODMAPs" or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols).
In order to determine whether you can tolerate certain high FODMAP foods in your regular diet, you'll need to eliminate them completely from your meals for several weeks at a time. You'll then gradually add them back in one by one until you determine which high FODMAP foods cause symptoms for you personally.
A person with IBS can benefit from a low FODMAP diet.
A low FODMAP diet is a short-term approach that helps to manage symptoms of IBS. It’s important to understand that the low FODMAP diet is not meant to be a long-term fix, but rather a tool to identify your trigger foods.
If you have been diagnosed with IBS or are experiencing signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it may be helpful to follow a low FODMAP diet. This type of diet is intended to reduce gas and bloating in the digestive system by limiting certain types of carbohydrates found in food.
Conclusion
FODMAPs are a common trigger for IBS. If you suspect that your symptoms may be caused by FODMAPs, talk to your doctor or Naturopath about getting tested for an intolerance or allergy to them.
Book in s discovery call with Tegan & support your digestive health.
Resources:
Monash University