The Use and Efficacy of the Low FODMAP Diet in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases

Abstract

Abstract Introduction and objective The L-FODMAP diet limits products that contain hard-to-digest carbohydrates and other substances that may affect the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases. The main objective is to eat foods with a low content of poorly absorbable carbohydrates that undergo fermentation and lead to an increase in osmotic pressure in the small and large intestine. This group includes lactose, fructose, polyhydroxy alcohols (mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol), galactooligosaccharides and fructans. The aim of this work is to review the available studies and to collect information on the use of the L-FODMAP diet in gastroenterological diseases. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge Research results show that there are benefits of using the L-FODMAP diet in patients with irritable bowel syndrome – in the group of patients on a L-FODMAP diet there was a significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms as well as an improvement in quality of life. In the remission of inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis ulcerosa and Crohn’s disease, a reduction of symptoms and an improvement in quality of life were also observed, a reduction of symptoms and an improvement in quality of life were also observed. There have been studies on the use of this diet in gastroesophageal reflux disease, but no hard evidence of its effectiveness has been found yet. Summary According to the results of recent studies, we can assume that the L-FODMAP diet can reduce troublesome ailments in some gastroenterological diseases. It is also important to remember that its use can lead to the elimination of many nutrients. There may also be a negative impact on motility and intestinal microbiota. More clinical trials are needed to provide more evidence for the use of the L-FODMAP diet in these disease entities.