Fast forward a couple years from the time I became stubbornly determined to find the answer (the time when I felt the doctor was mocking me). I was in the middle of the BYU dietetics program looking for journal articles on Pub Med. I stumbled across an article about research done in New Zealand on IBS which found many patients were fructose intolerant, similar to the way many people are lactose intolerant. The unabsorbed fructose irritated their bowel causing pain and other symptoms. I was onto something! I had discovered why sugary foods bothered me: Sugar contains fructose. It made even more sense to me because foods made with high fructose corn syrup bothered me more than other sweet foods. I thought I had the answer.
Fast forward a few more years to oh, lets say about two weeks ago. I was doing research on something dietetics related. I kept stumbling across the acronym FODMAP. I had no idea what that was, so I did more research and had an epiphany that changed the whole way I now view and approach bowel issues. First, let me tell you what FODMAP means and then let me tell you how it can solve your unresolved bowel issues.
FODMAPS is short for fermentable oligo, di, and monosaccharides and polyols.. Those are types of starches and sugars that have been individually linked to IBS as irritants. What does this mean? Basically IBS means our bowels are hypersensitive and easily irritated. When they get irritated it can cause pain, constipation, diarrhea and bloating like you wouldn't believe (we're talking your waist expanding two inches when you eat something that irritates it which translates into literally feeling like you've gained 5 pounds because your pants don't fit). Stress can irritate your bowels, but food is what really gets you, especially when there is no way to know what foods are triggers. FODMAPs is the answer to finding what foods bother you.
Let me explain how this works so you can continue to be amazed.
You maybe thinking to yourself, "That wasn't amazing. If anything that was TMI." If that is you let me explain the implications of such an amazing discovery using a simple equation:
IBS + FODMAPs in food = Pain, misery, and disruptions to life
IBS - FODMAP foods = No more pain, allowing you a normal life
THIS IS AMAZING! Normal life is right around the corner, all it takes is a little research and self control! Check back tomorrow and I will tell you how to find out if the FODMAPs diet is something that could help you.
Fast forward a few more years to oh, lets say about two weeks ago. I was doing research on something dietetics related. I kept stumbling across the acronym FODMAP. I had no idea what that was, so I did more research and had an epiphany that changed the whole way I now view and approach bowel issues. First, let me tell you what FODMAP means and then let me tell you how it can solve your unresolved bowel issues.
FODMAPS is short for fermentable oligo, di, and monosaccharides and polyols.. Those are types of starches and sugars that have been individually linked to IBS as irritants. What does this mean? Basically IBS means our bowels are hypersensitive and easily irritated. When they get irritated it can cause pain, constipation, diarrhea and bloating like you wouldn't believe (we're talking your waist expanding two inches when you eat something that irritates it which translates into literally feeling like you've gained 5 pounds because your pants don't fit). Stress can irritate your bowels, but food is what really gets you, especially when there is no way to know what foods are triggers. FODMAPs is the answer to finding what foods bother you.
Let me explain how this works so you can continue to be amazed.
- You eat a FODMAP containing food which can be anything from avocados, to bread to apples, to cauliflower.
- Said food goes through your intestines unabsorbed. The unabsorbed FODMAPs irritate your intestines leading to pain, diarrhea, constipation, or (insert your symptoms here).
- The undigested FODMAPs are fermented by bacteria. Generally this is a good thing that happens to everyone. However, with IBS and excessive FODMAPs, too much fermentation happens which causes major bloating and gas.
- The person with IBS is now curled up in the fetal position in pain and/or completely unable to stay away from the toilet, both of which make life difficult.
You maybe thinking to yourself, "That wasn't amazing. If anything that was TMI." If that is you let me explain the implications of such an amazing discovery using a simple equation:
IBS + FODMAPs in food = Pain, misery, and disruptions to life
IBS - FODMAP foods = No more pain, allowing you a normal life
THIS IS AMAZING! Normal life is right around the corner, all it takes is a little research and self control! Check back tomorrow and I will tell you how to find out if the FODMAPs diet is something that could help you.