BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) anecdotally report symptom improvement after initiating a very low-carbohydrate diet (VLCD). This study prospectively evaluated a VLCD in IBS-D. METHODS: Participants with moderate to severe IBS-D were provided a 2-week standard diet, then 4 weeks of a VLCD (20 g carbohydrates/d). A responder was defined as having adequate relief of gastrointestinal symptoms for 2 or more weeks during the VLCD. Changes in abdominal pain, stool habits, and quality of life also were measured. RESULTS: Of the 17 participants enrolled, 13 completed the study and all met the responder definition, with 10 (77%) reporting adequate relief for all 4 VLCD weeks. Stool frequency decreased (2.6 +/- 0.8/d to 1.4 +/- 0.6/d; P < .001). Stool consistency improved from diarrheal to normal form (Bristol Stool Score, 5.3 +/- 0.7 to 3.8 +/- 1.2; P < .001). Pain scores and quality-of-life measures significantly improved. Outcomes were independent of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: A VLCD provides adequate relief, and improves abdominal pain, stool habits, and quality of life in IBS-D.
BACKGROUND & AIMS:Patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) anecdotally report symptom improvement after initiating a very low-carbohydrate diet (VLCD). This study prospectively evaluated a VLCD in IBS-D. METHODS:Participants with moderate to severe IBS-D were provided a 2-week standard diet, then 4 weeks of a VLCD (20 g carbohydrates/d). A responder was defined as having adequate relief of gastrointestinal symptoms for 2 or more weeks during the VLCD. Changes in abdominal pain, stool habits, and quality of life also were measured. RESULTS: Of the 17 participants enrolled, 13 completed the study and all met the responder definition, with 10 (77%) reporting adequate relief for all 4 VLCD weeks. Stool frequency decreased (2.6 +/- 0.8/d to 1.4 +/- 0.6/d; P < .001). Stool consistency improved from diarrheal to normal form (Bristol Stool Score, 5.3 +/- 0.7 to 3.8 +/- 1.2; P < .001). Pain scores and quality-of-life measures significantly improved. Outcomes were independent of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: A VLCD provides adequate relief, and improves abdominal pain, stool habits, and quality of life in IBS-D.
Authors: D A Drossman; D L Patrick; W E Whitehead; B B Toner; N E Diamant; Y Hu; H Jia; S I Bangdiwala Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2000-04 Impact factor: 10.864
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Authors: Gary D Foster; Holly R Wyatt; James O Hill; Brian G McGuckin; Carrie Brill; B Selma Mohammed; Philippe O Szapary; Daniel J Rader; Joel S Edman; Samuel Klein Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2003-05-22 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Bruno P Chumpitazi; Emily B Hollister; Numan Oezguen; Cynthia M Tsai; Ann R McMeans; Ruth A Luna; Tor C Savidge; James Versalovic; Robert J Shulman Journal: Gut Microbes Date: 2014-01-27