Can probiotics help treat IBS?
carbohydrates that act as food for probiotic bacteria. They pass through the gastrointestinal tract undigested, which stimulates the growth and/or activity of certain ‘good’ bacteria in the large intestine.
While all prebiotics are considered ‘fibre’, not all fibre has prebiotic effects.
When it comes to the management of IBS a popular and scientifically proven dietary treatment is the FODMAP diet. FODMAPS are a collection of short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols found in foods naturally or as food additives. FODMAPS include fructose (when in excess of glucose), fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), lactose and polyols (for example, sorbitol and mannitol). Because certain FODMAPS have prebiotic effects, namely GOS and fructans, a low FODMAP diet restricts the intake of prebiotic fibres. Prebiotics are found in bananas, onions, garlic and artichokes to name a few foods.
If you have been advised to follow a low FODMAP diet by a qualified health professional for IBS, studies and our experience show that this can be highly beneficial. However, work must continue to be done on the gut and digestion to help improve its function, as a low FODMAP diet is not considered a ‘lifetime’ or a curative diet. A prebiotic-rich diet is considered beneficial for the general population (without IBS), and there are concerns that the restriction and/or elimination of these are not beneficial for gut health long-term.
Diets rich in prebiotic fibres may encourage a healthy balance of gut bacteria strains, potentially benefiting digestion and the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Email your questions for Dr Libby to ask.drlibby@fairfaxmedia.co.nz. Please note, only a selection of questions can be answered.
When it comes to nutrients the right balance is key as too much of a particular nutrient can often be just as detrimental as too little. Bone broth is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and for an adult, can be a wonderful addition to a diet filled with nutrient-dense real foods. It is very easy to make and I would certainly encourage you use organic bones.
If you are breastfeeding, taking good care of yourself and consuming a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods is a beautiful way to help nourish your baby, as your nutritional stores can impact the nutritional composition of your breast milk.