Partnership working to make ‘food as medicine’ simple, effective and enjoyable

Monash University is teaming up with a US company, ModifyHealth, to improve user experience of the App.

Monash University has partnered with a United States-based company, ModifyHealth, to raise further awareness in the US of the FODMAP diet protocol and the Monash University FODMAP Diet App, which have helped millions of people manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The partnership will increase engagement with US consumers and healthcare providers, and expand awareness of the latest research and developments of the FODMAP diet protocol.

Developed by Monash University, the FODMAP diet protocol and corresponding App assist in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with IBS.  Monash research has shown IBS symptoms improve in over 75 percent of people who undertake the FODMAP diet, with research groups from all over the world demonstrating similar results. Because of this, a FODMAP diet protocol is now a recommended therapy for people diagnosed with IBS by the American College of Gastroenterology.

To assist individuals looking to benefit from the FODMAP diet protocol, Monash University developed the FODMAP Diet App. Now one of the most popular paid medical apps, it provides users with access to extensive educational information, food guides, a symptom diary, the option to create a shopping list and low FODMAP recipes. Recognizing there are nuances for each country, the partnership is unique in that it will involve an exploratory phase that may inform future App updates or developments tailored for the US market.

"We are passionate about ensuring positive outcomes by helping IBS patients properly follow a FODMAP diet protocol,” says GB Pratt, Founder & CEO of ModifyHealth. “We were proud to be the first prepared meal delivery service to earn Monash University's Low FODMAP Certification and are honored to support their efforts to improve the lives of those with IBS. This partnership is the latest step in our mission to change lives by making food as medicine simple, effective and enjoyable for providers and patients."

Recommended by physicians and dietitians, ModifyHealth's home-delivered meals, dietitian support, and digital health solutions deliver evidenced-based treatments for digestive conditions such as IBS, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), celiac disease, and chronic conditions including fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

“We are dedicated to supporting dietitians, and other health professionals to treat people with IBS. We are excited to partner with ModifyHealth to help in our continued efforts to innovate and evolve FODMAP therapy in the US,” said Dr. Peter Gibson, Professor of Gastroenterology at Monash University.

“Monash University developed the FODMAP diet and is the world leader in FODMAP testing and research. ModifyHealth brought FODMAP meal delivery to all parts of the United States. The partnership of these FODMAP pioneers will make additional resources available for IBS and FODMAP awareness and education—it’s a great day for patients," says Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD, leading FODMAP expert.

Monash University will continue providing Low FODMAP certification of foods, products, recipes and online training separately and independently from this partnership.

Follow developments:

• @MonashFODMAP
• ModifyHealth on Instagram and Facebook