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Diet suggestions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Common diet changes that work sometimes
There are a number of dietary changes a person
with IBS can make to prevent the overreaction of the gastrocolic
reflex and lessen pain, discomfort, and bowel dysfunction.
Having soluble fiber foods and supplements, substituting milk
products with soy or rice products, being careful with fresh
fruits and vegetables that are high in insoluble fiber, and
eating frequent meals of small amounts of food, can all help to
lessen the symptoms of IBS. Foods and beverages to be avoided or
minimized include red meat, oily or fatty and fried products,
milk products (even when there is no lactose intolerance), solid
chocolate, coffee (regular and decaffeinated), alcohol,
carbonated beverages, especially those containing sorbitol or
other artificial sweeteners. Care, however, should be taken to
avoid adding foods to the diet to which the patient is allergic
or intolerant.[68]
Definitive determination of dietary issues can
be accomplished by testing for the physiological effects of
specific foods. The ELISA food allergy panel can identify
specific foods to which a patient has a reaction. Other testing
can determine if there are nutritional deficiencies secondary to
diet that may also play a role. Removal of foods causing IgG
immune response as measured using the ELISA food panel has been
shown to substantially decrease symptoms of IBS in several
studies.[69]
There is no evidence that digestion of food or
absorption of nutrients is problematic for those with IBS at
rates different from those without IBS. However, the very act of
eating or drinking can provoke an overreaction of the
gastrocolic response in some patients with IBS due to their
heightened visceral sensitivity, and this can lead to abdominal
pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation.[70]
Several of the most common dietary triggers
are well-established by clinical studies at this point; research
has shown that IBS patients are hypersensitive to fats and
fructose.[71][72]
It also appears that some foods are more
difficult for the gut as evidenced by elevated food-specific
IgG4 antibodies being present,[73][74] while others increase
colonic contractions, which may be painful, due to increased
visceral sensitivity in IBS sufferers.[75]
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