A Diet Low in FODMAPs Reduces Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and A Probiotic Restores Bifidobacterium Species: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In a placebo-controlled study of patients with IBS, a low FODMAP diet associates with adequate symptom relief and significantly reduced symptom scores compared with placebo. It is not clear whether changes resulted from collective FODMAP restriction or removal of a single component, such as lactose. Co-administration of the multistrain probiotic increased numbers of Bifidobacterium species, compared with placebo, and might be given to restore these bacteria to patients on a low FODMAP diet. Trial registration no: ISRCTN02275221.