A recent study (J-W Huaman et al. Gastroenterol 2018; 155: 1004-7) examined the effects of a prebiotic (Bimuno) and a low FODMAPs diet for the treatment of functional GI disorders and their effects on the microbiome.

This was a randomized controlled 4-week trial with a 2-week followup period.  Those who received the prebiotic (N=19) received a placebo diet (Mediterranean-type) and those who were randomized to a low FODMAP diet (n=21) were instructed to consume a placebo.  The prebiotic contained beat-galactooligosaccharide.

Key findings:

• Both groups had significant reduction in GI symptoms, though low FODMAPs was the only treatment helpful for flatulence/borborygmi.
• The symptom reduction persisted in the prebiotic group for the 2 -week follow-up period, whereas symptoms reappeared immediately in the low FODMAP group.
• The two treatments had opposite effects on the intestinal microbiota –the prebiotic treatment led to an increase in bifidobacteria and a decrease in Bilophilia wadsworthia.

My take: (borrowed from editorial pg 960-2): This study “may indicate that the effect of the prebiotic is mediated through its effects on gut microbiota composition, whereas the effect of the low FODMAP diets is more related to the meal composition…than to its effects on gut microbiota composition.”

Related blog posts:

• Another Study: Low FODMAP diet for IBS
• FODMAP diet -Real World Experience
• FODMAPs Advice From Harvard
• An Unexpected Twist for “Gluten Sensitivity” | gutsandgrowth
• Low-FODMAPs with or without Gluten-Free Diet in IBS …
• Mechanism for FODMAPs diet | gutsandgrowth

From two of the missions in San Antonio