A new study led by Dr. Sanna Nybacka from the Institute of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden has compared different dietary treatments and medical interventions for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study, conducted at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, included 294 individuals with moderate to severe IBS who were randomly assigned to receive a low FODMAP diet, a low-carbohydrate diet, or an optimized medical treatment.
After four weeks, the study found that 76% of participants on the low FODMAP diet, 71% on the low-carbohydrate diet, and 58% on medical treatment experienced a reduction of 50 or more in the IBS Severity Scoring System. The study suggests that both dietary interventions and medical treatments can effectively reduce the severity of IBS symptoms, with the dietary interventions showing greater effectiveness.
The results of the study suggest that dietary modifications could be considered as an initial treatment for patients with IBS. However, more research is needed to personalize therapies for individuals with this digestive disorder. The study did not report any serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths.
The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the treatment options available for individuals with IBS and highlight the potential benefits of dietary interventions in managing symptoms of this common digestive disorder.