Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the colon. The most common symptoms include:

• abdominal pain and cramps,
• bloating,
• flatulence,
• urgency to defecate,
• intestinal issues - diarrhea, constipation,
• a feeling of incomplete evacuation after using the toilet,
• presence of mucus in the stool.

The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with:

1. Digestive problems. 
In irritable bowel syndrome, changes occur in the intestinal peristalsis, causing the digested food to move through the digestive system either too quickly or too slowly. When the movement is too rapid, diarrhea occurs because there is not enough time for water absorption from food.

2. Increased intestinal sensitivity. 
Some individuals may be hypersensitive to the signals sent from the digestive tract to the brain (regarding hunger, satiety, or urgency to defecate), which can manifest as mild digestive troubles.

3. Emotional stress.
Intense emotional states (stress, anxiety...) can trigger chemical changes that disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system.

4. Diet quality.
The most commonly cited problematic foods include:

• alcohol,
• chocolate,
• caffeinated beverages (tea, coffee, cola drinks, and energy drinks),
• carbonated drinks,
• fatty foods,
• fast food (cookies, chips....),
• lactose,
• food allergens.

Diet's Impact on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are managed by adjusting the diet, focusing on:

1. Limiting intolerant foods.
It is important to monitor which foods contribute to the symptoms of the syndrome. If the affected individual keeps a record, it becomes easier to gradually eliminate unsuitable foods or substances. These are most commonly:

• milk,
• fried foods,
• onions,
• garlic,
• spicy dishes,
• sources of fructose (sweeteners, sweetened drinks).

In practice, the low FODMAP diet is increasingly used in the context of addressing IBS, showing promising results.

2. Increasing fiber intake.
This applies in situations where there is a long-term deficiency in fiber intake. Adequate fiber stabilizes intestinal peristalsis, affects water metabolism in the intestines, and provides nutrition for the gut microbiota. Care must be taken to avoid too abrupt an increase in fiber volume, which can trigger a greater peristaltic response. Additionally, the relationship to FODMAP is addressed, particularly the limitation of oligosaccharides as a source of soluble fiber fractions.

3. Modifying the activity of the intestinal microbiota.
Depending on the individual needs, the focus is on:

• adequate prebiotics in the diet,
• intake of probiotics,
• use of synbiotics (supplements containing both probiotics and prebiotics).

Here, too, it is important to emphasize the relationship to FODMAP, i.e., addressing the form of the diet and subsequently the suitability of potential supplementation.