Press release - Immediate release
New diet set to offer significant hope to IBS
sufferers
A new diet recently introduced to the UK from Australia looks
set to finally offer successful, long-term treatment for those
suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Supported by
substantial scientific evidence, this new form of dietary
intervention has been described as a significant advancement in the
treatment of IBS by gastroenterologist, Dr Peter Irving.
Dr Irving, Consultant Gastroenterologist at
The London Clinic and London Digestive Health, has ‘transported’
the ‘Low FODMAP’ (ref 1) diet from Australia. With a
success rate of 70% (ref 2)among those who are already
following it, the diet’s success is attributed to the restriction
of foods containing poorly absorbed sugars (FODMAPs) from the
diet.
Common foods containing FODMAPs include:
- Honey
-
Apples and pears and stone fruits, such as peaches, plums and
nectarines
-
Onion, leek, garlic and artichoke
-
Cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts – traditionally regarded
as ‘windy’ vegetables
-
Polyol sweeteners (e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol) often added to
sugar-free varieties
of gums,
mints and chocolate
-
Beans and pulses, such as baked beans, lentils and chickpeas
The diet works on the principle that not all
sugars can be successfully ‘broken-down’ and absorbed within the
small intestine. As a result, these sugars are rapidly fermented by
bacteria in the bowel which draws in fluid and produces gas. This
can cause a number of symptoms for those with a functional gut
disorder, such as IBS, including bloating, abdominal pain
and diarrhoea.
Dr Irving comments: "Most treatments for IBS
fail to improve symptoms in a significant proportion of people.
Although many people with IBS are keen to try dietary therapy, in
the past, studies of dietary treatments have either been of
variable quality or have produced conflicting results. In
contrast to this, the ‘Low FODMAP’ diet has been shown to be
effective in a high quality, placebo controlled trial and is also
supported by data from other studies investigating how it
works.”
The ‘Low FODMAP’ diet is not as restrictive as
some diets and most people find it easy to adhere to, therefore
also significantly increasing its chance of long-term success among
followers. Close consultation with a trained dietitian is of key
importance as they can provide patients with an individualised diet
plan. This plan will incorporate appropriate alternatives for ‘High
FODMAP’ foods, while also ensuring their diet remains nutritionally
adequate.
Dr Irving adds: “In the past, dietary
intervention has mainly been non-specific and often just revolved
around the removal of wheat and dairy products. However, everyone
is different and what works well for one person with a functional
gut disorder, may not work well for another. This new diet
offers a really positive outlook for sufferers of IBS and other
functional
gut disorders.”
IBS is a common functional disorder of the gut
that can cause pain, bloating, wind, constipation and diarrhoea. Up
to one in five people develop IBS at some stage in their life and
it is twice as common in females as in men. It can affect anyone at
any age, but it commonly first develops in young adults and
teenagers (ref 3).
ENDS
For more press information, to arrange
an interview with Dr Irving or a patient case study currently
adhering to the FODMAP diet, please contact Tracey Thompson or
Hannah Gee on 020 8786 3860 / pressoffice@thelondonclinic.co.uk
References:
Ref
1 Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccarides
and Polyols (FODMAPs)
Ref
2 Fructose Malabsorption and Symptoms of Irritable
Bowel Syndrome: Guidelines for Effective Dietary Management -
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2006
Ref 3
Patient UK
Notes to editors:
The London Clinic
- One of the UK’s
most established independent hospitals
- Located on Harley
Street in the heart of London’s medical community
- Long-standing
international reputation attracting leading consultants
- Highly
complex procedures in addition to routine surgery and medicine
- 24 hour
consultant-led Intensive Care Unit
The London Clinic Cancer
Centre:
-
The London Clinic is investing £80million to create a
state-of-the-art cancer centre for
its
patients, due for completion in December 2009
-
The cancer centre will provide a team of highly trained medical
professionals
-
It will house the very latest in radiotherapy and
radiosurgical technology, including three
Linear
Accelerators (LINACs): the CyberKnife® Robotic
Radiosurgery System and the
Varian
Clinac® iX Trilogy® Systems with
RapidArcTM
-
The following services, which are currently already available at
The London Clinic, will
also be
available in the new centre: sophisticated cancer screening
techniques,
chemotherapy, stem cell transplants and other specialist
haematology and
oncology services
-
7,500m2 purpose built centre
- 47 individual
patient rooms
- 22 day care
pods
- The construction
will comprise eight storeys, three of which will be below ground
level