Short-Chain Carbohydrates May Cause Chronic Bloating and Diarrhea

It was found out that certain short-chained carbohydrates can cause chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, gas or other gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals, diagnosed with:

• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional bowel disease (FBD)…

…or aggravate symptoms of:

• Lactose intolerance
• Fructose malabsorption
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying)

These carbohydrates were named FODMAPs.

continue reading Low-FODMAP Diet – Foods to Avoid in IBS & Bloating

Principles of Diet in Fructose Malabsorption

Individuals with fructose malabsorption (FM) may experience gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and bloating after ingesting fructose, sorbitol, fructans, or otherFODMAPs in amount exceeding their absorption threshold (1).

Fructose absorption threshold in FM may range from 0 to 25 grams of fructose per sitting (1).    

continue reading Low Fructose Diet in Fructose Malabsorption

What Is Fructose Malabsorption (FM)?

Human intestine can’t absorb unlimited amount of fructose, but most people can absorb 25-50 g of fructose per sitting (1). By definition, inability to absorb 25 g of fructose per sitting is considered as fructose malabsorption. Unabsorbed fructose may cause diarrhea and bloating.

Fructose malabsorption (FM) was previously known as ‘dietary fructose intolerance’ (DFI), but this term should be avoided to prevent confusion with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI).

continue reading Fructose Malabsorption – Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis