Do you have bowel problems (diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, tenesmus etc)? Firstly, make sure you have tried probiotics. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8458
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects up to one in five Westerners. It is a condition that is characterized by gut symptoms including abdominal pain, intestinal gas/wind, bloating, and changed bowel habit (ranging from diarrhea to constipation). Symptoms can often be debilitating and lead to a reduced quality of life.
Recent research has now shown that symptoms can often be much improved or eliminated if the patient avoids specific sugars (a group of short-chain carbohydrates, named FODMAPs). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FODMAP
Typical recent study:
Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2014 Jun;139(24):1310-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1370108. Epub 2014 Jun 3.
Malabsorption of fermentable oligo-, di-, or monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) as a common cause of unclear abdominal discomfort
[Article in German]
Goebel-Stengel M, Mönnikes H.
Carbohydrate malabsorption is a frequent but underestimated cause of unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms like meteorism, flatulence, pain and diarrhea. By means of hydrogen and/or methane breath test after ingestion of the respective carbohydrate it can be identified and diagnosed easily, fast and reliably by successful nutritional therapy. Besides the well known complaints caused by lactose and fructose malabsorption, other fermentable oligo-, di-, or monosaccharides and polyols (akronym: FODMAP) can cause abdominal discomfort and IBS-like symptoms. In addition to lactose (dairy products) and fructose (apples, pears, mango, watermelon), FODMAPs comprise galactans (legumes), fructans (wheat, onions, garlic, artichoke) and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol and xylitol (sugar free candy, light products). A general restriction of all FODMAP components can be beneficial in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with functional gastrointestinal complaints.
