Adding glutamine supplementation to a low fermentable oligodimonosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet increased the ability of the diet to improve IBS symptoms, according to a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. Azita Hekmatdoost, MD, PhD, and colleagues randomly assigned adult patients with IBS to a low FODMAP diet with glutamine 15 g per day (N=22) or placebo (N=22) for 6 weeks. Endpoints included a significant decrease in the IBS symptom severity score, changes in IBS symptoms, stool frequency and consistency, and quality of life. Patients in the glutamine group experienced significant changes in total IBS severity scores (58% reduction), dissatisfaction of bowel habits (57% reduction), and interference with community function (51% reduction). An improvement in the IBS severity score of greater than 45% was noted in 88% of participants in the glutamine group compared with 60% of participants in the control group.
