Facebook Pixel

Low FODMAP Diet: What Is It and What Does it Do?

By HERWriter
 
Rate This
a low FODMAP diet, what it is and what it does Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Thinkstock

You may have heard of a low FODMAP diet, and wondered, not just whether it might be right for you, but also wondered what in the world it is.

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.

Well, perhaps that definition doesn't clarify things much.

That name contains a list of indigestible sugars that are found in many foods. Some people will experience IBS symptoms from these foods because their guts are sensitive to them.

Many foods that should be avoided or reduced in a low FODMAP diet are certain fruits, sweeteners, grains, vegetables and milk products.

According to Emedicine.net, a diet low in FODMAPs can bring some relief to many people who have irritable bowel syndrome reducing symptoms.

The diet is not considered a cure but it can ease the pain, gas, bloating and other IBS symptoms.

If you've been seen by a doctor and have been found not to have other conditions such as celiac disease, ovarian cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, you might want to consider a low FODMAP diet.

These carbohydrates ferment in the digestive process because they're not broken down sufficiently or absorbed in the small intestine. They then remain in an undigested state as they move through the bowel. Colonic bacteria ferment.

The unhappy result is bacterial overgrowth, bloating and gas.

Women going through menopause may be prone to increased bloating and gas, according to Dr. Christiane Northrup. Many women will find themselves unable to tolerate many foods they'd been able to eat without problems all their lives.

For some, a low FODMAP diet might be an answer.

Webmd.com recommended that you eliminate all foods containing lactose, fructose, fructans, sugar alcohols and galactans for a week or two to determine whether or not a low FODMAPS diet is for you. You may find relief comes with a matter of days.

To determine which if any of those initially eliminated foods are alright for you, reintroduce one at a time. This way you will be able to discover which foods are problems for you and which are acceptable.

A gluten-free diet is often a good idea since wheat contains fructans.

A low FODMAP diet has been developed at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. It was successful in a placebo-controlled trial. Researchers deemed this diet as being more successful in controlling IBS symptoms than other alternatives.

This diet entails eliminating FODMAP foods for eight weeks. This allows time for the gut to recover from symptoms.

Research from King's College, London, England also approved the diet. It has been used at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London.

Sources:

Very Restricted Diet May Reduce Symptoms of IBS. Emedicinehealth.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=151253

Your Gut: A Delicate Garden? Drnorthrup.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
http://www.drnorthrup.com/blog/2012/07/your-gut-a-delicate-garden

Finding the Right Diet for IBS. Webmd.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/features/finding-right-diet-ibs?page=2

Trying to beat IBS? Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2173597/FODMAP-food-plan-Cut-c...

Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger

Reviewed August 17, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN

Add a Comment3 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I think that the treatment of Eczema should be foremost on our minds at this day and age. Epiceram has the right idea.
[email protected] | http://epiceram-us.com/patient.html

December 16, 2013 - 3:43pm

This Comment

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Probiotic made my day.They help !!! and have so much to offer ,what I don't understand is why Doctors instead of meds don't study this and try to understand the up side.
http://www.ibs-guide.info

March 14, 2013 - 12:01am

This Comment

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Before this article I had no Idea what a FODMAP was. Understanding the importance of one's body is vital to longevity. Looking at the number of things that will have to be elimenated from your diet may contribute to your overall better health. The Weight Loss section to this site will assist you in complimenting your overall health goals. Another site i review is http://harrisreview.com . This site also assists women in making better decisions about their health.

August 17, 2012 - 11:17pm

This Comment

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment
Jody Smith
Champion
HERWriter View Profile Send Message

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Get Email Updates

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Guide

Christine Jeffries
Empowered

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!