Participants sought: Female volunteers wanted for study on endometriosis and IBS

Participants sought for endometriosis
and IBS study

Monash University is conducting a study to understand the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis.

A little background 

Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 Australian women and many of these women also suffer from IBS and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. bloating, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhoea). Currently, we do not know what causes the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with endometriosis.  

To express your interest, take the screening survey (via QR code) or see below for more detail and contact information. 

Sugarcane fibre helps IBS patients on a low FODMAP diet

Dr Dan So is lead author on a paper which is
the first to test sugar-cane fibres for IBS patients
on a low FODMAP diet. Link

A low FODMAP diet is used to manage symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) but does not typically improve bowel habits. Specific types of fibre can improve bowel habits, but their tolerability in IBS and the suitability of coadministration with a low FODMAP diet is unknown.

Dr Daniel So recently completed his PhD in the Central Clinical School's Department of Gastroenterology, and now works with Atmo Biosciences in addition to being an affiliate research dietitian in the department. His PhD explored how specific types of dietary fibre could be used to provide clinical value in patients with IBS. 

Dr So is lead author on this paper, the first to evaluate the benefit that a novel fibre, sugarcane bagasse, could offer to patients with IBS, as an adjunct to a low FODMAP diet.

Media mentions: IBS and hypnotherapy on ABC 7.30 report

Prof Peter Gibson, head of the Department of Gastroenterology, CCS and Dr Simone Peters, PhD graduate from the department, talk about hypnotherapy and its value for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Dr Peters said that it worked equally well as the low FODMAP dietary intervention. See full clip of the 27 April 2017 7.30 Report - ABC feature: www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2017/s4660149.htm

Gut reaction right on hypnotherapy

Dr Simone Peters with one of her supervisors,
Professor Peter Gibson, HOD Gastroenterology

by Anne Crawford

As many as one in five Australians are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), enduring symptoms ranging from occasional abdominal pain to gastrointestinal problems so debilitating that they are unable to work. Monash University researchers demonstrate that hypnotherapy is on par with the popular low FODMAP diet for improvement of IBS symptoms.

23 Feb Low FODMAP workshop for IBS sufferers

The Monash Department of Gastroenterology are offering an educational workshop for individuals with IBS. It is a group consulting session run by Monash FODMAP research dietitians who can answer your questions and give you an overview of current research. Please note this group education session is suitable for individuals with a diagnosis of IBS only.

• Date: Tuesday 23 Feb 2016
• Time: 6.30pm arrival for 7pm start. 7-9pm
• Venue: The Alfred Centre, Level 5 lecture theatre
• Cost: $50 tickets

Tickets can be purchased here: ecommerce.med.monash.edu.au/product.asp?pID=662&cID=2
See more about the workshop at www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/fodmap/seminars.html

Video of the week: The FODMAP Grand Tour Down Under (animation)

Low FODMAP diet for IBS, Department of Gastroenterology, Central Clinical School

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 15% of people worldwide. Characterised by lower abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, wind, distension and altered bowel habit (ranging from diarrhoea to constipation), the condition causes considerable discomfort and daily disruption for the sufferer. Researchers at Monash University have developed a diet strategy to manage IBS symptoms known as the low FODMAP diet. This diet is the product of extensive research which has quantified the FODMAP content of hundreds of foods, described the mechanism by which the diet works and shown that a low FODMAP diet improves symptom control in approximately three out of every four people with IBS. Join us as we go on a journey (almost like 'Fantastic Voyage'!) to understand the physiological effects of FODMAPs and the dramatic effects of a low FODMAP diet in people with IBS.

See more about Low FODMAP diet research and products at Monash:

• Website: http://bit.ly/1vXL2tQ
• App: http://bit.ly/1PKfK3Y
• Booklet: http://bit.ly/1yFzqxg
• Video link for reference:  https://youtu.be/Z_1Hzl9o5ic

Participants sought: Investigating the use of oral enzyme supplements in IBS

Interested in the latest IBS research? This study is investigating the use of an oral enzyme supplement to reduce the effects of one type of FODMAP, galactooligosaccharides, found naturally in foods.

You may be eligible to take part if you:

• Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Are aged 18 – 70 years
• Do not have any other gastrointestinal disease (e.g. coeliac disease)
• Living in Melbourne, Australia

We are currently looking for both male and female participants.

Contact
To participate or to find out more information please contact Ms Caroline Tuck:

• Phone: (03) 9903 0264
• Email: caroline.tuck@monash.edu
• Study link: www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/clin-trials/ct-tuck.html

Low FODMAP certification program launched by Monash University

Spelt grain has lower FODMAPs than
modern wheat cultivars

One in seven Australians suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but a new app and certification scheme launched by Monash University will help them find foods they can comfortably eat - and the ancient grain spelt appears to be part of the solution.

The Monash University Low FODMAP Certification Program certifies foods that are low in a group of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the digestive system - Fermentable, Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono-saccharides And Polyols (FODMAPs). See:

• Story
• Low FODMAP certification program details
• 15/4/2015 ABC news video clip with Dr Jane Muir.

FODMAP in the long term

Department of Gastroenterology researchers have authored a study which looks at fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols and their role in irritable bowel syndrome.

Low FODMAP and preventing the next fad diet

Dr Jane Muir and Prof Peter Gibson have written an article about the emerging story of dietary fibre and gut health. The article notes that the evidence is strengthening for the role of a low FODMAP diet in managing IBS, but researchers are concerned that it doesn't become the next gluten-free fad.

Participants sought: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and dietary salicylates

Volunteers are sought by the Department of Gastroenterology, Monash University for a dietary study and research study entailing respectively the consumption of a diet low or high in natural salicylates for 4 weeks (all meals provided), and a diagnostic salicylate test. Salicylates are chemicals that occur naturally in many plants to protect the plants against insects and diseases.

Is gluten a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in people without celiac disease?

Gluten: appears not to affect
non-celiac IBS sufferers

The avoidance of wheat- and gluten-containing products is a worldwide phenomenon. While celiac disease is a well-established entity, the evidence base for gluten as a trigger of symptoms in patients without celiac disease (so-called ‘non-celiac gluten sensitivity’ or NCGS) is limited. Department of Gastroenterology (DoG) researchers review the evidence and conclude that, "On current evidence the existence of the entity of NCGS remains unsubstantiated." See full text of article.

Video: IBS & the low FODMAP diet - CCS public lecture 30 October 2013

Video: 1:19:08

Professor Peter Gibson is Head of Department of Gastroenterology at Monash University. On 30 October 2013, he presented to a full house on the problem of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and gut symptoms in general and about the world-wide fascination with dietary cures. He describes the controversy surrounding wheat intolerance, the most current research and outlines the new dietary approach, the low FODMAP diet, that is changing the way doctors and dietitians help people with IBS to manage their problem. The lecture was part of 2013 Melbourne Knowledge Week. Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByszVbFBPtY

Monash Uni Low FODMAP Diet app launched for Android users

An Android version of the highly successful Monash University FODMAP smartphone application is now available, see link.

Last December the FODMAP app for the iPhone platform was launched by the research team at the Department of Gastroenterology at Monash University, providing accurate information about foods that trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the first time using this technology.

"Beat the Bloat: IBS & the low FODMAP diet" 2013 CCS Public Lecture packed out

Peter Gibson in conversation

Professor Peter Gibson, HOD Gastroenterology, gave Central Clinical School's public lecture on 30 October 2013 on "Beating the Bloat: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the low FODMAP diet". The event attracted a large audience. In brief, research shows that once the low FODMAP diet is followed for a certain period, symptoms will settle down for a high proportion of people, and there can be a careful reintroduction of higher FODMAP foods to ensure good nutrition including micronutrients.

Consumer driven crops: the growing gluten-free harvest for IBS sufferers

Gluten free food has become a way of life for hundreds of thousands of Australians, and their dietary needs are driving the market. Dr Jane Muir, Head of the Nutrition Translational Science group in the Department of Gastroenterology, was interviewed for the ABC television program 'Landline', broadcast Sunday 6 Oct 2013. She said that it may not be gluten so much as a type of carbohydrate called fructans which was causing the problem. Older wheat types such as spelt had lower fructans levels and did not cause such a problem for those with irritable bowel syndrome. Transcript: http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2013/s3863244.htm.

Participants sought: Use of glucose in IBS fructose malabsorbers to assistfructose absorption and eliminate symptoms

Participants, both healthy and with IBS, are sought to investigate whether glucose helps in fructose absorption, thereby eliminating symptoms of fructose malabsorption. See Research study page or contact Caroline Tuck, email caroline.tuck@monash.edu, ph +61 3 9903 0264. For more Department of Gastroenterology trials, see www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/clin-trials/index.html.

30 October Public Lecture "Beating the bloat: the FODMAP diet andIrritable Bowel Syndrome"

Central Clinical School's annual public lecture for 2013 is on one of the most common complaints in our community, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and how diet can be used to control the symptoms.

Participants sought: Does combining hypnotherapy and diet therapieshelp IBS sufferers more?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 15% of the population. While doctors are good at diagnosing IBS, they don't have a very good track record in fixing the problem. An abundance of 'cures' may well be touted in books and on the internet, but few of them have any scientific basis or have been proven to be effective.

FODMAP diet research study for Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers

The low FODMAP diet is the best diet therapy to control gastrointestinal symptoms in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The restriction of FODMAPs aids in preventing these symptoms from occurring. However, some FODMAPs are known to have health benefits as they can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and bacterial fermentation can have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.