Dietary Interventions and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome represents a target for new therapeutic interventions for disorders of the gut-brain axis. The concept of a microbiome-gut-brain axis has gained considerable traction. Although several diseases and disorders may reflect disruption of, or dysfunction along, the microbiome-gut-brain axis, this chapter will focus on one very common and challenging disorder long perceived as representing dysfunction along the gut-brain axis: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That the microbiome may be relevant to the genesis of symptoms in IBS is supported by clinical and experimental observations. Various therapeutic strategies have been used in IBS: diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics. With regard to probiotics, although a considerable volume of experimental data attests to their ability to address the various pathophysiologic parameters that appear relevant to IBS, the quality of clinical data is less impressive and higher quality clinical trials are needed.