The study, presented at Digestive Disease Week 2022, was conducted in about 300 patients with IBS. The patients were divided into three treatment categories: low carb, low FODMAPs, or a medication treatment plan. Food was delivered to patients in the dietary intervention groups. IBS symptom severity was assessed before and after the 4-week intervention period.
All three interventions reduced symptom severity, but the two dietary interventions resulted in a greater positive change in symptoms compared to the medication intervention. Both the low carb and low FODMAPs diet proved equally effective in reducing symptoms.
This is an important reminder that dietary intervention for IBS and other digestive conditions is in many cases a very effective first-line therapy – and sometimes the only therapy needed.
