[Low Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAP) diet in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: basic principles and methodology]

Abstract

Fermentable oligo-, di-, monosacc harides, and polyols (FODMAP) are a large class of small nondigestible carbohydrates, which are poorly absorbed in the small bowel. The microscopic size, high osmotic activity, and the higher fermentation of unabsorbed FODMAPs by colonic bacteria lead to bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, low FODMAP diet appears to be promising treatment approach in the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this review, we analyzed available publications on efficacy and safety of low FODMAP diet in the treatment of IBS patients. Based on the current data we outlined basic principles and methodology of low FODMAP diet usage in clinical practice, and constructed the detailed list of low and high FODMAP products for designing a food regimen in patients with IBS.

Keywords: FODMAP; carbohydrate malabsorption; dietotherapy; irritable bowel syndrome.