Low Fodmap Diet For Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

ABSTRACT

A healthy diet plays an important role in our life as it protects us from various chronic and noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, etc. Consuming less salt and eating a variety of food items, saturated, sugars and trans fats are essential to maintain a balanced diet. It helps to protect us from malnutrition and certain associated conditions. Increased intake of processed foods, changing lifestyles and rapid urbanization cause a shift in dietary patterns. Nowadays people used to take foods that are high in fats, energy, salt and sugars, this type of diet leads to a number of diseases especially related to digestive health. In this article we are going to discuss a low fodmap diet and how it helps in maintaining the health of the person in case of various GI disorders especially IBS. Also in this article you will get to know about the Ayurvedic management of IBS.

INTRODUCTION

FODMAP is used as an acronym for some classes of carbohydrates that are known as fermentable short chain carbohydrates that are commonly more difficult to digest. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Low FODMAP diet means to restrict the diet that is low in these mentioned things so that if you are facing any issue related to digestive health that may not be hindered with the FODMAP diet. This helps in preventing triggers and makes it easy to repair a healthy gut flora. Let’s know more about FODMAPs.

WHAT ARE FODMAPS?

As we read earlier it is used as an acronym for certain type of carbohydrates, below are the class of carbohydrates that are considered as FODMAPs:

• Fermentable: These are the foods on which our gut bacteria used to feed on and convert this type of food into body gasses with a chemical process known as fermentation.
• Oligosaccharides: These are one of the soluble plant fibers called prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in the gut. It includes garlic, onion, lentils, beans and any of the wheat products.
• Disaccharides: The lactose is considered as one of the fermentable sugars in the group of disaccharides. Lactose is commonly present in dairy products and human milk. Worldwide lactose tolerance is most common among all intolerances.
• Monosaccharides: In this group fructose is the most fermentable sugar which is found in most of the fruits. Not all fruits include this so make choices and eat those one which are free from fructose.
• Polyols: Polyols are the alcohol sugar that are usually the artificial sweeteners and also found in some fruits.

WHY FODMAPs ARE DIFFICULT TO DIGEST?

As we studied earlier in brief about FODMAPs, now let’s discuss why this type of diet is difficult to digest. The structure of FODMAPs includes short chain fermentable carbohydrates. These foods include sugar molecules that are combined together in chains and fermented by gut bacteria for conversion into single molecules, then these molecules are able to be absorbed by the small intestine. Due to this these types of food items are difficult to digest.

IS FODMAP FOOD BAD FOR EVERYONE?

No, the FODMAP diet is not bad for everyone, in fact the digestive system is designed to process these types of food items. It is a symbiotic arrangement to feed the bacteria in the gut but some people who have sensitive gut may experience indigestion from such food items that further impact their life. In these people the byproducts produced after fermentation will cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, distention and abdominal pain. And the water that is drawn by the small intestine will cause diarrhoea and constipation if there is no water.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LOW FODMAP DIETS?

The low FODMAP food is good for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and various GI Tract disorders. Recent research shows that the majority of people with these conditions get a great benefit from this diet. This is used as an elimination diet for the short term for those who are concerned with any digestive issues. They have to eliminate the FODMAP diet from their regular diet, it will help to relieve common problems. After sometime add this food to your diet to check if they are causing any issues or not.

WHAT TO EAT IN A LOW FODMAP DIET?

Certain vegetables, fruits, proteins and grains are lower and higher in FODMAP. Some of these are ok to eat but in limited amounts, if you take in large amounts it will bother you. Just taking an example, most processed meats and legumes are rich in FODMAPs but plain cooked meat, eggs, tofu are low in FODMAP. Watermelon, apples and stone food are rich in FODMAP but somehow strawberries, grapes and pineapples are ok. A Ripe banana is rich in fructose but you may have 1/3rd part with your cereal, if not totally ripe you can have the whole. Your dietician after consultation will provide you a diet with specific guidelines.

COMMON HEALTH CONCERN CAUSED BY HIGH FODMAP DIET

• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Feeling of evacuation just after intake of meals
• Polydipsia
• Change in taste
• Nausea
• Fever
• Various GI Tract issues

One of the most common concerns faced by a person who is on a high FODMAP diet is IBS. For this purpose we are going to give you a brief description about IBS and its ayurvedic management.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the common health issues which affects the large intestine. It is a chronic condition that needs long term management. Some of the people with IBS may control their symptoms with dietary and lifestyle changes but some of them may experience severe symptoms. This condition does not lead to any of the changes in bowel tissue and does not increase the chance of colorectal cancer.

CAUSES OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

Muscle contractions in intestine, severe infection, early life stress, changes in gut microbes are the common causes of IBS. Besides this, here are some of the triggers for IBS such as high fodmap diet, beverages, dairy products, beans, milk products and carbonated drinks.

SYMPTOMS OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

It may vary from patient to patient but we are going to explain the common symptoms of IBS. Abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, bloating, change in bowel movements and mucus in stools. These are some of the common symptoms but if the condition is severe one may have symptoms such as weight loss, rectal bleeding, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea at night, unexplained vomiting and persistent pain.

Above is the brief description about IBS, now we are going to explain its Ayurvedic management.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR IBS BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a clinic with GMP certification and works under the strict regardance of holistic science – Ayurveda. All the supplements are made with ancient time tested formulas and include natural herbs and minerals. They have a wide range of supplements that consist of properties to manage and prevent almost all health concerns. All the products are free from any kind of added preservatives, synthetic materials like gums, resins, fibers, colors, etc. Due to the purity of formulations they don’t produce any kind of side effects. So for better management feel free to consume these supplements. For the purpose of managing IBS, Planet Ayurveda provides you with an IBS care pack that we are going to discuss below.

IBS CARE PACK

1. PITTA BALANCE
2. KUTAJGHAN VATI
3. DIGESTION SUPPORT
4. SANJIVANI VATI

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. PITTA BALANCE

Pitta balance is a herbo-mineral remedy by Planet Ayurveda available in capsule form. These capsules consist of standardized extract of jahar mohra pishti (An Ayurvedic calcium compound), kaharwa pishti (An Ayurvedic Calcium Compound), giloy satva (Tinospora cordifolia) and various others. In IBS there is a predominance of pitta dosha as it plays an important role in maintaining the overall digestive health. So as the name suggests, these capsules are especially formulated to balance the pitta dosha and maintain the overall digestive health.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. KUTAJGHAN VATI

Kutajghan vati is a classical ayurvedic formulation which is prepared by Planet Ayurveda under the strict observance of M.D. Ayurveda practitioners. This is a tablet formulation and consists of kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) as a main ingredient. In case of IBS one of the most common symptoms is diarrhea and Kutaj has the properties to manage diarrhea. Kutaj has properties such as astringent and bitter taste with cold potency. These properties pacify pitta dosha and reduce the frequency of stools as well as mucus.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with plain water after meals.

3. DIGESTION SUPPORT

Digestion support is one of the best ayurvedic formulations produced by Planet Ayurveda for maintaining overall digestive health. This remedy is available in capsule form which consists of standardized extract of herbs such as amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), pippali (Piper longum) and various others. The ingredients of these capsules are enriched with deepana (promotes digestive fire) and pachana (improves digestion) properties. These properties by regulating the pachak agni (digestive fire) helps in maintaining the overall digestive health.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. SANJIVANI VATI

Sanjivani vati is one of the classical Ayurvedic formulation which consists of various ingredients such as vidanga (Embelia ribes), pippali (Piper longum), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and various others. This remedy is available in tablet form and has rasayana properties which prevents the growth of free radicals and reduces the accumulation of ama dosha in the body. Ama dosha leads to aggravation of kapha dosha which causes vishama agni (vitiation of digestive fire) that is one of the major causes of IBS. So sanjivani vati by alleviating ama dosha from the body helps in the management of IBS.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

FODMAP is used as an acronym for some classes of carbohydrates that are known as fermentable short chain carbohydrates that are commonly more difficult to digest. A healthy diet plays an important role in our life as it protects us from various chronic and noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, etc. FODMAP diets include sugar molecules that are combined together in chains and fermented by gut bacteria for conversion into single molecules that’s why it is difficult to digest. People nowadays are shifting to a diet that is high in FODMAP and suffer from digestion related issues. One of the most common health concerns related to the digestive system is IBS. in this article we briefly described IBS and its Ayurvedic management. The herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda makes the management easy. These formulations are free from any kind of added synthetic material so feel free to manage your IBS with these herbal remedies. While consuming these herbal remedies if you feel any query you can contact us on www.PlanetAyurveda.com