If you have irritable bowel syndrome or similar symptoms, including bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation and flatulence, get tested for fructose malabsorption, with the help of your doctor. This condition is characterized by the inability to absorb fructose, which causes fermentation of this sugar by the bacteria in your intestines and result in unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition to the gastrointestinal distress associated with fructose malabsorption, other symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog and depression also appears to be linked to this condition.
Depression
The prevalence of depression is higher than ever and this condition can deeply affect your quality of life. Some of the symptoms experienced with depression include sadness, unhappiness, loss of interest in normal activities, decreased concentration, fatigue, loss of energy and unexplained physical problems, such as back pain and headaches, according to MayoClinic.com. Depression can be caused by an imbalance in the hormones or neurotransmitters, or a dramatic life event.
Link Between Fructose Malabsorption and Depression
Tryptophan is an important amino acid involved in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical responsible for making us feel happy. However, studies have shown that fructose malabsorption creates lower levels of tryptophan, as published in 2001 in the "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology." The authors of this study believe that fructose, as well as lactose, can interfere with tryptophan and result in a depressed state.
Treating Depression with Diet
If you have been diagnosed with fructose malabsorption and suffer from depression you can significantly improve symptoms by following a low-fructose diet. In a study, 53 fructose malabsorbers assigned to a fructose- and sorbitol-reduced diet saw their depression scores decrease by 65.3 percent after four weeks, in addition to improving their bloating and regulating their stool frequency, as published in the 2000 issue of "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology."
Dietary Strategies for Fructose Malabsorption
To follow a fructose-reduced diet and improve fructose malabsorption and depression, consult a registered dietitian specialized in gastrointestinal disorders. Foods to avoid generally include apples, pears, watermelon, mango, peaches, prunes, cherries, honey, high-fructose corn syrup, dried fruits, fruit juices, avocado, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms and sugar-alcohols. In addition to these foods, lactose in milk, yogurt and fresh cheese as well as fructans from wheat, rye, legumes and some vegetables inlcuding onions, leeks, garlic, shallots and cabbage, can also be problematic for fructose malabsorbers, as explained in the 2006 issue of the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."
References
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Fructose Malabsorption is Associated With Early Signs of Mental Depression; M. Ledochowski, et al.; June 1998
- "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology"; Fructose Malabsorption is Associated with Decreased Plasma Tryptophan; M. Ledochowski, et al.; 2001
- "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology"; Fructose- and Sorbitol-reduced Diet Improves Mood and Gastrointestinal Disturbances in Fructose Malabsorbers; M. Ledochowski, et al.; 2000
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Fructose Malabsorption and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Guidelines for Effective Dietary Management; Susan J. Shepherd and Peter R. Gibson; 2006
- MayoClinic.com: Depression
