Yesterday’s ‘Inside Health on radio 4 with Dr Mark Porter interviewed a dietician who gave a very good explanation of the FODMAPS, and how well it works to help IBS symptoms. FODMAPS is an exclusion diet, excluding fermentable oligosaccharides and polyols from the diet for six weeks. This change of eating habit should provide relief from symptoms, but is a very hard ‘diet’ to follow long-term. So, with the help of a dietician the eliminated foods are reintroduced one by one to see which foods it is possible to eat. FODMAPS is recommended by many GPs and gastroenterologists these days. According to the dietician on the programme, 75% of patients trying FODMAPS see some improvement.
I see a lot of patients who have been recommended to try the FODMAPS approach. Some have found it helpful, but too difficult to maintain, even for the first six weeks. Others have seen little improvement.
When I test and find the underlying cause for symptoms, [tea, coffee, dairy products, yeast, usually a food or drink frequently consumed] my clients find they can eat all the foods which they had previously found led to adverse symptoms. My suggested change of diet only needs to be followed for three months, and then the person can get back to eating problem foods in moderation. If someone following FODMAPS finds that garlic and onion leads to symptoms, they could choose [as suggested on the programme] to eat these foods sometimes, suffer the symptoms, and then get back to FODMAPS again.
92% of my clients get better from IBS on my suggested change of diet. That’s a big difference from 75% seeing some improvement on FODMAPS.
TO RECAP…A COMPARISON BETWEEN FODMAPS AND MY METHOD
- Symptomatic improvement
Fodmaps 75% see some improvement in symptoms
My advice 92% average improvement in symptoms
- Difficulty of diet
Fodmaps. Very restrictive and difficult diet for 6 weeks, careful reintroduction. Avoid certain foods indefinitely
My advice. Strict but not too difficult diet for 3 months, careful reintroduction. You can then eat problem foods, but in moderation.
- Information
Fodmaps…dietician advice or there are many books on the market the best of which is Sue Shepherd’s ‘The complete low fodmap diet: a revolutionary plan for managing IBS and other digestive disorders.’
My advice. Read ‘Food Intolerance Solutions’ for advice as to which foods are probable causes of symptoms.