The paper in Gastroenterology is the first to show the diet’s potential for this issue.
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea may benefit from a low FODMAP diet, according to new research.
The study of 42 participants with IBS-D found that four weeks of the diet appeared to improve colonic barrier dysfunction, which is known as leaky gut.
The authors said this was the first study to show a low FODMAP diet could improve intestinal permeability and mast cell activation in these patients.
“Diet and microbiome have been believed to be related to leaky gut, but the reasons why were not well understood,” senior author and US gastroenterologist Prashant Singh told media.
“This research illuminates the mechanism of how food can interact with gut microbiome and gut immune system to influence colonic barrier dysfunction—and validates the low FODMAP diet as a treatment option that not only improves symptoms but underlying dysfunction in IBS.”
Of the 42 participants who completed the month-long restriction diet, 34 responded – and this took the form of reduced diarrhea and abdominal pain.
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Previous research showing IBS-D patients have higher levels of mast cells and leaky gut, and this appeared to be supported by the research.
Dr Singh and colleagues fewer mast cells in the colon lining of these patients and less activation of the cells.
This was supported by an additional mouse study analysis.
They suggested patients could receive mast cell stabilisers as well as the diet, or instead of the diet for those for whom it’s not appropriate.
“Our study shows diet is not a quick fix—it’s a real solution for some patients with IBS,” Dr Singh said.
