Effects of Nutrition on IBS Essay

IBS sufferers are aware of their triggers and how to avoid them. Fruits and vegetables, cereals, dairy products, legumes, wine, coffee, tea, and fried foods are all common triggers (Capili, Anastasi, & Chang, 2016, p. 325). The question is, why do some foods cause such a strong gastrointestinal reaction? Obesity, food allergy or intolerance, and poorly absorbed carbs and fibre appear to be the three key elements that explain the link between nutrition and IBS (Salhy & Gunderson, 2015).

Gastrointestinal problems symptoms are associated with an increased body mass index, according to numerous studies (Capili, Anastasi, & Chang, 2016, p. 326). Ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CKK), peptide YY (PYY), enteroglucagon (oxyntomodulin), and serotonin are five types of gastrointestinal endocrine cells that assist regulate hunger (Salhy & Gundersen, 2015). The amount of each of these cells in the digestive tract is abnormal in IBS patients.

The hormone ghrelin is known as the hunger hormone because it causes an increase of hunger and, as a result, food intake. The cell density of ghrelin is increased in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) (Salhy & Gundersen, 2015).

Consequently, it can be inferred that due to an increase in ghrelin, there is increased food consumption and BMI in these patients. The other four hormones previously stated produce anorexigenic effects – meaning that they cause a decrease in appetite. As a result, an increase in ghrelin is linked to increased in food consumption and BMI in these patients. The other four hormones previously mentioned have anorexigenic actions, which means they reduce hunger.

As a result, an increase in ghrelin is linked to increased in food consumption and BMI in these patients. The other four hormones previously mentioned have anorexigenic actions, which means they reduce hunger.

“The individuals rated the frequency of symptoms as absent (never, seldom) or present (sometimes, frequently),” according to the study (Huseini et al., 2014). The symptoms were then categorised and compared into upper and lower gastrointestinal categories.

According to the results of the questionnaire, obese patients were more likely to have stomach pain and a change in bowel habits than those who were within normal weight limits. Fourteen percent of obese patients reported abdominal discomfort, compared to only twenty-five percent of healthy-weight patients; similarly, eighty-two percent of obese patients reported a change in bowel habits, compared to only 61 percent of healthy-weight patients (Huseini et al., 2014).

It can be concluded from both of these research that IBS and its symptoms are linked to nutrition and obesity. The patient first notices a change in a number of gastrointestinal hormones. From there, the patient’s hunger grows, leading to overeating of their favourite foods and an increase in weight and BMI. The prevalence of GI problems rises dramatically as one’s BMI rises.

Reference:

1. igaarden, S. C., Lydersen, S., & Farup, P. G. (2012). Diet in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the general population. BMC Gastroenterology, 12, 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-12-61
2. Varjú, P., Farkas, N., Hegyi, P., Garami, A., Szabó, I., Illés, A., … Czimmer, J. (2017). Low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet improves symptoms in adults suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared to standard IBS diet: A meta-analysis of clinical studies. PLoS ONE, 12(8), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182942
3. Medlin, S. (2012). The low FODMAP diet: new hope for irritable bowel syndrome sufferers. Gastrointestinal Nursing, 10(9), 37–41. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.wuezproxy.waynesburg.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=108030899&site=ehost-live&scope=site