Next week, I will be attending the final day of a three day course run by King’s College London on the low FODMAP diet. On completing this training I will be fully trained FODMAP dietitian – hurrah!
FODMAP is an acronym for Fructose, Fructans, Lactose, Galactans and Polyols (!) – constituents of certain foods that have been found to exacerbate Irritable bowel Syndrome or IBS.
IBS is a common problem within the UK and globally. In fact it affects approximately 10 -20% of the population globally, predominantly with a female dominance. Symptoms range from bloating and pain to constipation and diarrhoea with the effects being mildly uncomfortable to life-hindering. Whilst the pathogenesis of IBS is still not clear, the cause is believed to be a combination of biological and psychosocial factors, of which stress is thought to be a significant contributing factor.
The reason I am discussing this now is because today (29th May 2014) marks World Digestive Health Day and the low FODMAP diet is a diet that has been devised to help individuals suffering with IBS – and it has to be said, with pretty good success rates.
Short and sweet for now but more I will be writing about the low FODMAP diet in more detail on my next post!
Till next time!