Dr. Will Bulsiewicz

So in theory, if you cut fiber, you may feel better.

There's research with a dietary approach called the low FODMAP diet, which is something that we've discussed before on the show.

So FODMAP is an acronym.

It's super nerdy.

I'm going to put it out there, but you don't have to memorize this.

Yeah.

So FODMAP, F-O-D-M-A-P, fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.

Basically what this is saying is these are carbohydrate-based foods.

that are fermented by our gut, by our gut microbes.

And in the process of fermenting them, they produce gas.

And you know what gas can do?

Gas can distend.

Gas can activate those nerves that are very sensitive.

So the low FODMAP diet, the concept is if we reduce these specific fermentable things, then we may actually make it easier on our gut microbes, make it easier on those sensitive nerves, and the result is that you feel better in terms of your irritable bowel syndrome.

The data are clear.

People who follow this dietary pattern, if you have IBS, will generally experience an improvement in their gut symptoms.

But there's a key with this, which is that, and this is something that you actually experienced.

You were told, okay, go low fiber.

And then ultimately, when you followed the ZOE program, you found actually an approach that's focused on abundance.

and variety is a superior choice.