Influence of low FODMAP and gluten-free diets on disease activity and intestinal microbiota in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of a low FODMAP diet versus a gluten-free diet (GFD) on clinical symptoms, psychological well-being, intestinal inflammation, and stool microbiota in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Results Summary
The GFD significantly improved clinical and psychological symptoms in NCGS patients, reduced duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes and mucin-producing Goblet cells, and caused microbial shifts in stool samples. Both diets led to microbial changes, with greater variability in NCGS patients.
Population
Nineteen patients with NCGS and ten healthy controls.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Two weeks for each diet (low FODMAP and GFD), with a five-day transition period.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low FODMAP diet | decrease | clinical symptoms | NCGS patients | - | led to a significant improvement | #1 |
low FODMAP diet | decrease | psychological symptoms | NCGS patients | - | led to a significant improvement | #2 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | clinical symptoms | NCGS patients | - | led to a significant improvement | #3 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | psychological symptoms | NCGS patients | - | led to a significant improvement | #4 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes | NCGS patients | - | clear reduction | #5 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | decrease | mucin-producing Goblet cells | NCGS patients | - | clear reduction | #6 |
- | neutral | stool microbiota | NCGS patients and controls | - | significant microbial differences | #7 |
low FODMAP diet | neutral | stool microbiota | all participants | - | caused microbial shifts | #8 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | neutral | stool microbiota | all participants | - | caused microbial shifts | #9 |
low FODMAP diet | increase | microbial shifts on genus level and metabolisms groups | NCGS patients | - | greater variability | #10 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | increase | microbial shifts on genus level and metabolisms groups | NCGS patients | - | greater variability | #11 |
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms triggered by ingestion of gluten. However, non-gluten triggers have recently been implicated, and a FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols)-reduced diet can partially improve symptoms in NCGS. Our aim was to analyze the effect of a low FODMAP versus a gluten-free diet (GFD) on clinical symptoms, psychological well-being, intestinal inflammation and integrity, and stool microbiota. METHODS: Nineteen patients with NCGS and ten healthy controls consumed a gluten-containing standard diet before starting a two-week low FODMAP diet; after a five day transition period, participants ingested a GFD for another two weeks. The primary outcome measure was the improvement of clinical symptoms in NCGS patients under the different diets. Secondary outcomes were the determination of dietary effects on intestinal inflammation, psychological well-being, and differences in stool microbiota between NCGS patients and controls. RESULTS: The low FODMAP diet and especially the GFD led to a significant improvement of clinical and psychological symptoms in NCGS. A clear reduction in duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes and mucin-producing Goblet cells was found after the GFD in these patients. Significant microbial differences between NCGS patients and controls were noticed in stool samples at every time point. Both diets caused microbial shifts in all participants, with a greater variability on genus level and metabolisms groups in NCGS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a multifactorial etiology of NCGS, due to a functional effect caused by FODMAPs, combined with a mild gluten-triggered immune reaction, and a microbiota dysbalance. CLINICALTRIAL. GOV ID: NCT03268720.