Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, strikes people of all ages and can cause both physical symptoms and psychological distress. For some sufferers, certain foods can trigger an episode and fatty foods are often to blame. While there is no cure for IBS, sufferers who respond negatively to fatty foods may be able to find relief through simple dietary changes.
IBS
IBS occurs when the intestines operate too quickly or slowly, sending partially-digested food through at an inappropriate rate. IBS can cause pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea in sufferers and different people experience different types and degrees of symptoms. The specific cause of IBS remains unknown, but certain aspects of diet can trigger episodes in specific individuals.
Fatty Foods as a Trigger
Meals that are high in fat, such as dishes with creamy sauces, or fatty fried foods can trigger an episode of IBS in susceptible individuals. In particular, many IBS sufferers notice an increase in abdominal cramps and diarrhea after eating fatty foods. The trans fats found in baked goods can also trigger IBS for some people. Even healthy monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats may cause an episode of IBS if eaten in excess. This includes foods like avocado, nuts, olive oil and canola oil. You can determine if this is the case for you by eliminating high-fat foods and going on a low-fat diet for a few weeks and then reintroducing them slowly to see if your symptoms return.
Solutions
If you find that fatty foods are a trigger for you, eliminating them from the diet is the first step to reducing your IBS episodes. Simply eliminating fatty foods, however, may not be enough to eradicate IBS. Slowly increasing the amount of soluble fiber in your diet can also help relieve symptoms. Try adding a few grams of fiber daily in the form of high-fiber foods such as oatmeal, apples, beans and prunes. Alternately, you can take fiber supplements, such as psyllium husk. You should also eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of two or three large meals.
Considerations
Some people have more than one trigger for IBS. If you have already cut fatty foods out of your diet and are still experiencing occasional episodes, you might consider trying to eliminate other potential trigger foods and see if your body responds positively. Caffeine, alcohol, dairy products, wheat and chocolate might be additional trigger foods that could affect your IBS. Keep in mind that eliminating triggers is not a cure, however, so you might still experience symptoms even while on a low-fat diet.
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