Intake of fiber and micronutrients in patients with IBS.

Background and aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Overweight and poor nutrient intake has been described in these patients. The aim of the study was to estimate nutrient intake in IBS, and to relate symptoms with nutrient intake and weight.

Methods: Patients with IBS diagnosed according to Rome IV, without other severe diseases, completed a study questionnaire, IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS), and food diaries for 3 days. Mean intake of each nutrient per day was calculated. Recommended or adequate intake was a cut off for normal or low/high intake.

Results: In total, 155 patients, 130 (83.9%) women, 42 (32-55) years old, weight 69.2 (63.0-82.9) kg, were included. Fiber intake was low in 91.0% of participants, whereas sodium intake was high in 71.6%. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc were reduced in ≥60% of participants. Half of the participants had a low intake of ≥11 of the 19 micronutrients measured. Most prominently, 85.8% had a low intake of vitamin D and 91.6% of selenium. 50.3% were overweight, and weight correlated with energy intake. Extraintestinal symptoms were associated with weight/BMI but not nutrients.

Conclusions: Patients with IBS are often overweight with a low intake of fiber and several micronutrients but a high intake of sodium. Effects of micronutrient deficiency on gut microbiota, intestinal integrity, and immune system need to be further studied.