IBS and Fructose Intolerance – By Heath Medcalf

Fructose is a kind of sugar, a single sugar, present in fruits and vegetables. Fructose is also found in some sweeteners which substitute actual sugars in the market. Does the fructose intolerance also play role in the IBS? Some studies suggest that they contribute indirectly. Fructose is processed in the liver and this process ends up circumventing the signaling system for normal appetite and thus appetite-regulating hormones aren’t triggered which leaves you feeling unsatisfied which in turn makes you eat more which will aggravate your IBS as the system isn’t able to process fast enough. Though the information provided is only fundamental, it is necessary to understand the way on which fructose intolerance may also be affecting your intestinal tract, causing symptoms like belching, pain in the abdomen, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and indigestion.

Hydrogen breath (HBT) test establishes Fructose intolerance, by measuring the quantity of hydrogen in the breath after ingesting a solution of fructose. If there is a rise in breath hydrogen it means you have fructose intolerance. The large intestine is affected by the increase in fermentation caused by the bacteria present in the small intestines and when compared to a normal person without fructose intolerance; fructose is digested by enzymes in the small intestine linings, without working its way to colon.

Research studies have compared healthy persons against those who were self-diagnosed as suffering from fructose intolerance, who have felt bloated after consuming particular kind of fruits. The results thrown by this small study on 8 patients, is interesting. The self- diagnosed persons showed increased hydrogen levels and experienced bloating and flatulence, after drinking the a solution of fructose, which was not the case with the healthy group.

Another study of a larger number of people also established similar findings. From a group of 183 people, three-quarters of them showed abdominal symptoms after ingesting the solution of fructose. They suffered immediately from flatulence, abdominal pain, bloating, belching and a changed bowel movement. The findings contribute to the knowledge that fructose intolerance in IBS worsens their situation.

Another research group tried establishing the connection between unexplained pain symptoms in the abdomen in children with fructose intolerance by giving different dosages of fructose solutions to a group of children. HBT showed positive in 13 children. When the dose size with a larger quantity of fructose was given, it found that a larger number of children tested positive. Some of these children were given a fructose restricted diet later, and according to this study, many of the children showed rapid improvement in the system after following the diet.

Similarly, adults with IBS were subjected to fructose intolerance test, the findings were surprising. One-third of IBS patients showed positive HBT result after a solution of fructose was ingested into them. A follow up assessment program after one year, where again had amazing results as a majority of IBS patients showed improvement and confirmed relief from the symptoms of belching, pain in the abdomen, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and indigestion.

About the Author

Heath Medcalf helps you understand the dynamics of IBS Trigger foods, Detailed information on the different aspects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be found at http://ibs-solutions.info

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