Special Diets

Nutrition is a significant factor in the health of an individual. Therefore, the health outcomes of a person may rely on their nutrition, in which the digestive system plays a central role. An effective digestive system ensures optimal assimilation of nutrients and minerals to boost immunity and foster healthy physiological function. Otherwise, an individual is considered to have digestive system disorders, where they suffer irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, among others.  However, various special diets help mitigate the symptoms of such disorders to improve the quality of life.

Special Diets

There are several special diets for each digestive system disorder. For instance, a low intake of FODMAP foods is likely to soothe the symptoms of IBS. Recently, studies, randomized trials, and case studies have indicated a strong correlation between low intake if FODMAP diet and improve decrease in the symptoms of digestive system disorders. For instance, 86% of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms reported improvement after observing restrictions on the FODMAP diet (Gearry, Skidmore, O’Brien, Wilkinson & Nanayakkara, 2016). Similarly, a high fiber diet increases the bulk of stool, which is important in alleviating constipation. People with celiac disease are recommended to take gluten-free diets. This is because consumption of gluten is a risk factor to intestinal damage.

Besides, a plant-based diet or commonly known vegetarian diet is effective in delaying Crohn’s disease remission. In most cases, it takes two years after remission for the Chron’s disease to relapses. However, a vegetarian diet has shown significant positive outcomes in reducing the chances of relapse (Greger, 2012). Also, some people argue that grains cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Therefore, one may avoid grains to feel on other diets. Choosing the vegetables or grains to each or avoid may entail slowly eliminating one after another in the diet, to identify that which alleviates symptoms of digestive system disorders.

Food Content

In the low FODMAP diet, shirt chain carbohydrates such as Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols are avoided since they partially absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (Nawawi, Belov & Goulding, 2019). Such are contained in the following categories of foods, hence should be avoided: some fruits, dairy products with much lactose, some legumes, cabbage, grains, and sweeteners. A plant-based diet is synonymous with that of a vegetarian – has no animal product. High fibre foods include grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is noticeable that some foods recommended in one category may be avoided in another. This is because each diet has a major digestive system disorder, which it aggravates or alleviates. Gluten is found in both some of the animal’s flesh and plants. Overall, one may avoid eating foods that contain gluten.

Approval of Food Content

Foods may be approved or contraindicated by regulatory bodies such as the Foods and Drugs Administration in the US, and the European Union for Europeana nations. For instance, the Europian union contraindicates food additives such as potassium bromate and azodicarbonamide, which are used in baking bread and cookies. The restriction of both food additives is linking to some types of cancers (Rabin, 2018). While some foods may be termed as medical, and thus approved for certain types of disease management, the FDA does not approve of them (FDA, 2017). However, such foods are endorsed by regulators if manufacturers comply with all manufacturing practices and legislations. Also, when health concerns arise over a type of food pr supplement, the FDA may research and investigate to inform the public.

References

FDA. (2017). Is It Really ‘FDA Approved?’. Retrieved 1 July 2020, from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/it-really-fda-approved

Gearry, R., Skidmore, P., O’Brien, L., Wilkinson, T., & Nanayakkara, W. (2016). Efficacy of the low FODMAP diet for treating irritable bowel syndrome: the evidence to date. Clinical And Experimental Gastroenterology, 131. doi: 10.2147/ceg.s86798

Greger, M. (2012). Treating Crohn’s Disease With Diet | NutritionFacts.org. Retrieved 30 June 2020, from https://nutritionfacts.org/2012/09/13/dietary-treatment-for-crohns-disease/

Nawawi, K., Belov, M., & Goulding, C. (2019). Low FODMAP diet significantly improves IBS symptoms: an Irish retrospective cohort study. European Journal Of Nutrition. doi: 10.1007/s00394-019-02074-6

Rabin, R. (2018). What Foods Are Banned in Europe but Not Banned in the US?. Retrieved 1 July 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/28/well/eat/food-additives-banned-europe-united-states.html