The Evidence for Reducing Carbohydrates

Dr. Sue Shephard experienced regular and debilitating intestinal gas and because of that, her research led to her coining the term and development of the FODMAP diet in 1998.  FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.  These short chain carbohydrates are incompletely absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and then become easily fermented by gut bacteria.  The resulting gas causes severe bloating and IBS symptoms.  FODMAP’s also increase fluid to the large intestine and can cause diarrhea. 

Others have had similar observations about carbohydrates.  Elaine Gottshall wrote a book called Breaking the Vicious Cycle even earlier in 1994, after her daughter who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in the 1950’s was saved from the surgical removal of her large intestine.  By following the diet prescribed to her by Sidney Haas M.D., her daughter recovered and Elaine went on to attain degrees in biology, nutritional biochemistry, and cellular biology.  Her diet called The Specific Carbohydrate Diet, only allows monosaccharides.  Disaccharides and polysaccharides are not allowed

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