• FODMAPs

    Fructans, not Gluten.

    Ok, just a quick recap. FODMAPs are groups of short-chain sugars and the breakdown products of carbohydrates. They are either poorly absorbed, or not absorbed at all, causing fermentation by gut bacteria and ultimately resulting in gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation. Today our focus is on fructans, an oligosaccharide. Humans lack the enzymes needed to break down these fructans into individual sugar units, even in a body without Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, due to the hypersensitivity of the gut characterized by IBS, these symptoms are felt more intensely. What foods have Fructans? Good question. Fructans can be found mainly in breads, cereals, and starches, and to a…

  • FODMAPs

    WTF… What The FODMAPs!?

    My doctor told me to eliminate FODMAPs, now what!? Does this sound familiar? FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligo- Di- Mono- saccharides And Polyols… don’t worry, there will NOT be a quiz. Basically, the small breakdown sugars in some foods (FODMAPs) are poorly absorbed, or not absorbed at all. They are: Fructans Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS for short) Fructose Mannitol Sorbitol, and Lactose FODMAPs sit in the large intestine attracting water and literally fermenting in the gut, causing: Diarrhea, constipation, or both Gas & bloating Abdominal pain & distension The 3 Phases of the low-FODMAP diet are: Elimination of all FODMAPs. Staying on a strict low-FODMAP diet for 2-4 weeks allows you and…

  • IBS

    Do I Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a frustrating diagnosis. Often times, IBS is diagnosed after a long process of testing and eliminating many other GI disorders (i.e. Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Short Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), or Diverticulitis). IBS can also share some symptom similarities with Endometriosis, a chronic condition in women where the tissue of the uterus is found elsewhere in the body, causing: diarrhea, constipation, painful stool elimination, and chronic pelvic pain. So, how do I know if I have IBS? What is IBS? IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the intestines. A change in bowel motility can affect the consistency of the stool. For…