Malfermentation and IBS

The modern-day diets tend to contain lots of highly processed convenience foods that are often low in fibre. Fibre can be found in whole grains, bread, vegetables, pulses such as beans and lentils and peas, nuts, seeds and fruits. Fibre has an important role in absorbing fluid from the gut which produces soft stools that are easy to pass. Fibre also has other benefits such as reducing the absorption of cholesterol, reducing the risk of gallstones and helping to prevent piles.

We all there is little doubt that high fibre diets can be helpful for IBS sufferers, for some the high-fibre will create more wind, bloating and diarrhoea. The foods that tend to make wins and bloating words are dried fruits and nuts, baked beans and vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower. Fizzy drinks such as cola and beer can also increase wind.

Reducing bacterial activity in the bowel has been shown to help many patients. This was first realised when some patients found their IBS symptoms temporarily improved after a course of antibiotics prescribed for an infection. This suggests that bacteria in the gut can be a cause of IBS symptoms.

If you are an IBS sufferer there are basically two forms of diets that will help to reduce malfermentation. One is that all fibre diets and the other is the exclusion diet. The law fibre diets is probably the most straightforward diets for the treatment of IBS. For this reason it is normally the first diets recommended by doctors. The exclusion diets will help to find out whether you have any specific food intolerance is although it can be difficult to pinpoint the individual foods that are causing the problems. There are some foods that are more likely to be responsible for IBS symptoms than others, however the only be to decide which foods cause your symptoms is to test them individually. Before starting any diets always discuss it with your doctor. Common foods that have proven to be the source of the problems in many patients, including beef, potatoes, citrus fruits, wheat, daily products, fizzy drinks and yeasts.

Gluten is the protein found in meat and other cereals. Many people suffer from a gluten intolerance to various degrees (some patients may not even be aware of this intolerance). And in free diets will involve avoiding wheat, rye and barley, and all products containing them.

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• Dietary Treatment for IBS (dietriffic.com)
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• What Is IBS (Spastic Colon) – Symptoms, Proper Diet, Coping With Stress (healthhype.com)