You may be wondering “why do people react differently to different FODMAPs?” On Instagram @AndreaHardyRD, I talk all about FODMAP tolerance and the reasons that people tolerate FODMAPs differently.
The low FODMAP diet isn’t ‘one size fits all’. ⠀
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FODMAPs are fermentable carbohydrates that either pull water into the gut, or ferment, contributing to digestive distress in patients with IBS.⠀
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There are 5 categories:⠀
– lactose⠀
– fructose⠀
– polyols ⠀
– fructans⠀
– galacto-oligosaccarides ⠀
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Our ability to tolerate them varies for many reasons!⠀
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1) not all of us maldigest certain carbohydrates – some of us may struggle to break down lactose, or absorb fructose – meaning those may trigger more symptoms in one person than another.⠀
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2) our guts all move at different speeds based on hormones, what we’ve eaten, stress, etc. there are times where FODMAPs may aggravate your gut more than others based on how quickly your gut moves⠀
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3) Visceral hypersensitivity – the perception of digestion as pain, varies from person to person, and even day to day! When I’m more stressed, my guts literally ACHE. More FODMAPS = more stretch, and more pain!⠀
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4) The gut microbiota – some of us are REALLY good at fermenting certain FODMAPs – contributing to more digestive distress⠀
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5) Could there be an immune component? Research is looking into this now! So far it’s pretty controversial and the studies often contradict one another – but more research is coming! (this appears to be in part related to our gut microbiota and gut permeability – more to come in the future!) ⠀
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How do you figure out what you tolerate? Working through the 3 phases of the Low FODMAP diet with a trained dietitian (@ignite.nutrition.inc) helps to understand how you respond to FODMAPs, so you can have the most liberal diet possible!⠀
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