title: Dietary treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Food is a recognized trigger for most patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In recent years, an emerging evidence base has identified dietary manipulation as an important therapeutic approach in IBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Original and review articles were identified through selective searches performed on PubMed and Google Scholar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Randomized controlled trials have supported the use of a diet that restricts a group of short-chain carbohydrates known collectively as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). There is evidence that specific probiotics may improve symptoms in IBS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The role of a high-fibre diet remains subject to ongoing debate with a lack of high-quality evidence. The long-term durability and safety of a low FODMAP diet are unclear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A paradigm shift has led to a focus on the relationship between diet and pathophysiological mechanisms in IBS such as effects on intestinal microbiota, inflammation, motility, permeability and visceral hypersensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future large, randomized controlled trials with rigorous end points are required. In addition, predictors of response need to be identified to offer personalized therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Whittington Hospital, Magdala Avenue, London N19 5NF, UK.
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, St Mark's Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ, UK aakbar@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akbar
mesh_terms: D004035:Diet Therapy; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005285:Fermentation; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D009005:Monosaccharides; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D005632:Fructose; D013012:Sorbitol
keywords: FODMAP; carbohydrate; diet; fibre; gluten; irritable bowel syndrome; probiotics