Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

When the low FODMAP diet does not work.

Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
March 1, 2017
Emma P Halmos
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-FODMAP diet in managing IBS symptoms and identify appropriate dietary interventions for non-responsive patients based on underlying pathophysiology.

Results Summary

The study found that a low-FODMAP diet effectively reduces symptoms in 75% of IBS patients. For non-responsive patients, tailored dietary and therapeutic interventions (e.g., antispasmodics, fiber supplements, probiotics) were recommended based on specific pathophysiological abnormalities (visceral hypersensitivity, altered motility, or microbiome).

Population

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low FODMAP diet
decrease
symptoms
patients
75%
effectively reduces
#1
low FODMAP diet
neutral
visceral hypersensitivity and/or enhanced gut-brain communication
this patient group
-
mainly targeted for
#2
antispasmodic agents, including peppermint oil
neutral
-
this patient group
-
may also recommend
#3
low food chemical diet
neutral
-
some populations
-
another dietary treatment
#4
psychological therapies
neutral
-
-
-
clinically beneficial
#5
reduction in all FODMAPs or targeted monosaccharides and disaccharides
neutral
-
patients with fast transit
-
may recommend
#6
psyllium
neutral
-
patients
-
may benefit from
#7
adequate fiber and fluid, osmotic laxatives, and stimulating agents such as caffeine, senna, and exercise
neutral
-
patients with slow or uncoordinated transit
-
comprise
#8
supplementary probiotics and prebiotics
no change
-
-
-
have weak evidence of efficacy
#9
supplementary Bifidobacterium infantis or oligosaccharides
neutral
-
-
-
may trial
#10
Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is heterogeneous. Patients need proper assessment and explanation of IBS pathophysiology and appropriate therapies. A low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet effectively reduces symptoms in 75% of patients. Best treatment for those nonresponsive will depend on the pathophysiological basis for symptom genesis, with the following possible abnormalities: (i) Visceral hypersensitivity and/or enhanced gut-brain communication: a low FODMAP diet is mainly targeted for this patient group. A dietitian may also recommend antispasmodic agents, including peppermint oil. Another dietary treatment is a low food chemical diet, although this diet is often extremely limited, and therefore, not suited for some populations. Psychological therapies are also clinically beneficial. (ii) Altered motility: in patients with fast transit, a dietitian may recommend a reduction in all FODMAPs or targeted monosaccharides and disaccharides, which are more osmotic in nature. If not effective, patients may benefit from psyllium, which has an exceptional water-holding capacity aimed to promote more formed stools. Patients with slow or uncoordinated transit are often more difficult to treat. Dietary interventions have some success and usually comprise a combination of adequate fiber and fluid, osmotic laxatives, and stimulating agents such as caffeine, senna, and exercise. (iii) Altered microbiome: supplementary probiotics and prebiotics have weak evidence of efficacy with some notable exceptions. A dietitian may trial supplementary Bifidobacterium infantis or oligosaccharides, usually as an adjunct therapy. Guidance from a dietitian will encompass dietary methods to treat IBS but additionally identify where dietary treatment is not indicated to ensure that diet is correctly used and patients are not nutritionally or psychologically compromised.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantisDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedDisaccharidesFermentationGastrointestinal MotilityHumansIrritable Bowel SyndromeLaxativesMentha piperitaMonosaccharidesOligosaccharidesParasympatholyticsPlant OilsPolymersPsychotherapeutic ProcessesPsyllium
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations25
Citations/Year3.1
Relative Citation Ratio1.18
NIH Percentile56.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.01
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements
When the low FODMAP diet does not work. | Panacea Index