The Gastroenterologist

Don’t just reach for fibre

‘The first thing anyone with digestive problems does to try to improve things is increase fibre. But it doesn’t help everyone with IBS, and there’s also a type of constipation called slow-transit constipation for which this is the worst solution – it’ll just lead to more bloating, wind and pain. If you try raising fibre and things get worse, stop. In addition, if you make any change in your diet to improve digestion and you see no change within four weeks, stop. I see too many people missing out on foods unnecessarily because they think they just need to give it more time, but if a diet change is going to help, you’ll notice within four weeks.’

Dr Anton Emmanuel, Senior Lecturer in NeuroGastroenterology, University College, London