At the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE), I attended an excellent lecture by Dr. Satish Rao from the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. His topic was primarily dietary fructose intolerance (DFI). Consumption of fructose in the US is on the rise, yet our capacity to absorb fructose in the small intestine is limited, and varies from person to person. Dr. Rao explained that dietary fructose intolerance is far more prevalent than commonly recognized, and can explain gas, pain, bloating and diarrhea in some individuals. He recommends individuals be tested for dietary fructose malabsorption. His group's research shows that reducing the amount of free (or excess) fructose in the diet can improve fructose intolerance symptoms.
He referred to FODMAPS in his talk. FODMAPS stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides and Polyols. Fructose is the "M" or monosaccharide in FODMAPS. When malabsorbed in the small intestine, it proceeds to the colon. Fructose is osmotically active (capable of pulling fluid into the colon) and rapidly fermentable by the colonic flora, causing gas and bloating.
Those wishing to perform a fructose-only elimination diet could use my upcoming book IBS--Free at Last! to do so. The book includes menus and a shopping list that are low fructose (in addition to being low FODMAPS overall). There are lists of allowed fruits, which do not contain excess fructose. Extensive label reading tips are provided, since fructose in many forms is a common food additive. Write to me at patsycatsos@gmail.com if you would like me to notify you when my book is available in print!
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