Low-Fodmaps diet (similar to Specific Carbohydrate diet)

[Jane]

low-Fodmaps diet (similar to Specific Carbohydrate diet)

I read this article in the Wall Street Journal about a low-Fodmaps diet. The theory behind the diet is that people with IBS have trouble absorbing some carbohydrates in the small intestine. Large molecules of these food then travel to the colon where they are attached by bacteria and ferment creating IBS symptoms like gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

This diet sounds similar to the specific carbohydrate diet.

I have no hope that it will cure crohn's, but I wonder if following the diet will help with any symptoms.

Has anyone tried to eat low-Fodmaps?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...3880581820726.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_emailed

 

[NewbieMom]

A Dietitian spoke to us about FODMAPS as my son returns to solid food from a liquid diet. She said much of the academic research was being done in Australia. (I believe Sue Shepherd, website www.shepherdworks.com.au , who has written cookbooks on eating in the ways her research suggest is helpful). I have been researching this tonight. As I understand it, the theory is that certain types of fermentable carbohydrates are poorly absorbed by the small intestine and thus become quick food for bacteria, causing increased gasiness, etc.

The dietitian gave us some lists of foods to avoid which I believe came from Patsy Catsos, a dietitian and author with a website http://ibsdietplan.org/category/fodmaps/ and a book (IBS - Free at Last!). Catsos's site references IBS a lot, but I found a research paper on the ShepherdWorks site on Crohn's.

I think Catsos's book focuses on doing a FODMAPS elimination diet.

As my son goes back on to solid food we are looking at the "Allowed" Foods as one source of what foods we introduce first, but aren't doing a proper elimination diet.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Thanks for sharing this. I never heard of this diet before. I find it a bit odd that they would consider an apple or pear or mushrooms foods to avoid while sugar is considered a suitable food though. Avoiding corn syrup makes sense for everyone though so I guess as long as you are really focusing on eating "real foods" from the allowed list you should hopefully be in better shape than following the Standard American Diet (assuming you avoid your trouble foods from past experience).

 

[NewbieMom]

Our nutritionist had a lot to say on sugars. Will try and remember what of her advice came from the FODMAPS research. She said to avoid too much fructose (and since apparently apples are high in fructose, we are not adding them in as solid foods right away). I think having too many cherries is an issue too (believe too much fructose can have a laxative effect?). We also aren't supposed to have artificial sweeteners.

 

[Ellie1]

I don't know about this one, but the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is very effective; It cured my sister with severe Crohn's and she's been off all drugs and fine for three years.

There is also Wolfgang Lutz's Low Carbohydrate Diet that is less restrictive but takes longer.

 

[dahlfacepoet]

I'm currently on a low fodmap diet. It's very restrictive and seems to have a lot of success with IBS sufferers, but I'm doubtful, so far.

 

[newlymarriedtocrohns]

This is the first "official" diet hubby's GI doctor has suggested, but a lot of the description makes it sound like it is more specifically designed for IBS. Does the same philosophy apply to Crohn's disease as well? Hubby has Crohn's, not IBS, so I'm curious why the doctor suggested this.

Ellie1, would you suggest SCD instead of the FODMAP?

 

[Mystygal]

Since my diagnosis mid year, I have been eating largely according to the Low FODMAP dietary plan as outlined by Sue Shepherd of Monash Medical Centre in Victoria, Australia. Reading online, as you do, I was immediately aware that many of the restricted or no go foods on this diet were ones which gave me trouble whenever I ate them - symptoms included severe bloating, gassiness & the associated pain & severe abdominal cramping with my torso looking distorted beneath the skin as if my intestines were twisting or deforming somehow.
I have managed to avoid recurrence of these symptoms since following this diet but as I am also medicated I can't say that the diet is the definitive thing. I always thought that I had some weird sort of food intolerance & just tried to avoid my 'trigger' foods. I am seriously thinking about having the diagnostic tests done to confirm if Low FODMAP is an appropriate diet & to see if it is, if I have to follow it rigidly or if I am more tolerant of certain foods than others.
And, for those wondering, yes my GI does know that I am following this diet - he's not perturbed but he admits that many people find its restrictiveness too hard.

 

[Catherine]

One of things I like about this diet is the dietian from The Shepherd Centre we saw prior to Sarah dx with Crohn's reply to my email after her dx that diet will not help with imflammation caused by Crohn's but may help with reducing bloating etc.

 

[Charleigh]

Though I have heard of this diet, I have not really read on it too much. I do know that Specific Carbohydrate Diet is working well for my son. I encourage anyone interested in diet to get the book on this. It is called Breaking the Vicious Cycle. Very easy to read and it just makes sense.

 

[newlymarriedtocrohns]

Charleigh, thanks for the book suggestion. I've been curious about the SCD diet, but have heard that it can be quite daunting and complicated. I'll have to get to the library and read up on it.

Mystygal, so glad to hear that it's working for you and you're feeling better! Maybe the FODMAP can help to find hubby's trigger foods. Thanks!

 

[mnsun]

From todaysdietician: "FODMAPs include fructose (eg, high-fructose corn syrup, agave syrup, honey, apples, pears); lactose (milk, yogurt); fructans (wheat, barley, ry, onions, garlic); galactans (legumes); and polyols (sugar alcohols, mushrooms, cauliflower, avocados, stone fruits)."

"In cases of steatorrhea, the presence of excess fat in the stool, the use of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil and MCT oil or supplementation with ox bile can facilitate the digestion and absorption of fatty acids and liposoluble nutrients."--not sure if ox bile is similar to animal sourced pancreatin, my comment.

The article,"Treatment and Management of SIBO", by Aglaee Jacob is pretty good. They say small intest bacteria overgrowth interferes with absorption of all fat soluble vitamins (a, d, e, k) as well as omega 3s, coQ10, B12, iron and beta carotene.

They offer supplemention with MCTs, ox bile, Omega 3s, L-glutamine, zinc, and vitamin A, as well as avoiding gluten/gliandin, starches and sugars, as ways to heal the intestines while avoiding FODMAPs above.

Pretty reasonable guide if you're in a bad situation if you ask me.

 

[Charleigh]

Charleigh, thanks for the book suggestion. I've been curious about the SCD diet, but have heard that it can be quite daunting and complicated. I'll have to get to the library and read up on it.

I will not lie, it is not an easy diet to implement, especially at first. You get used to it though. Also, we do not make the yogurt as E has zero toleration for dairy products and we don't want to risk it. We hope that eventually he can tolerate a few things "off diet" like potatoes.

 

[KWalker]

My Breaking the Viscous Cycle Book came in today!! I will be starting the SCD diet on the first week on January. The day depends on when I return home from Christmas. I originally thought the diet was going to be absolutely insane, and of course its going to take some work but you can still eat meat, fruits/veggies, etc. I find for me it basically just cuts out the processed foods because my main diet consists of legal foods anyways