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Nutrients Nov 2023Most adverse reactions to food are patient self-reported and not based on validated tests but nevertheless lead to dietary restrictions, with patients believing that... (Review)
Review
Most adverse reactions to food are patient self-reported and not based on validated tests but nevertheless lead to dietary restrictions, with patients believing that these restrictions will improve their symptoms and quality of life. We aimed to clarify the myths and reality of common food intolerances, giving clinicians a guide on diagnosing and treating these cases. We performed a narrative review of the latest evidence on the widespread food intolerances reported by our patients, giving indications on the clinical presentations, possible tests, and dietary suggestions, and underlining the myths and reality. While lactose intolerance and hereditary fructose intolerance are based on well-defined mechanisms and have validated diagnostic tests, non-coeliac gluten sensitivity and fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol (FODMAP) intolerance are mainly based on patients' reports. Others, like non-hereditary fructose, sorbitol, and histamine intolerance, still need more evidence and often cause unnecessary dietary restrictions. Finally, the main outcome of the present review is that the medical community should work to reduce the spread of unvalidated tests, the leading cause of the problematic management of our patients.
Topics: Humans; Food Intolerance; Food Hypersensitivity; Quality of Life; Lactose Intolerance; Diet
PubMed: 38068827
DOI: 10.3390/nu15234969 -
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition... Sep 2023To describe recent advances on nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), a recently described disorder characterized by variable symptoms and frequent irritable bowel... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To describe recent advances on nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), a recently described disorder characterized by variable symptoms and frequent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like manifestations.
RECENT FINDINGS
The recent description of disease-triggering wheat components other than gluten, such as fructans and amylase-trypsin inhibitors (ATIs), definitely suggests that nonceliac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) is a better 'umbrella' terminology than NCGS. Self-reported NCWS is very common worldwide, particularly in patients seen at the gastroenterology clinic, but many of these diagnoses are not confirmed by standard clinical criteria. A biomarker of NCWS is still lacking, however, subtle histological features at the small intestinal biopsy may facilitate diagnosis. Treatment of NCWS is based on the gluten-free diet (GFD). The GFD has proven to be an effective treatment of a significant proportion of NCWS-related IBS patients. Dietary therapies for IBS, including the GFD, should be offered by dietitians who first assess dietary triggers and then tailor the intervention according to patient choice. Pioneer studies are under way to test the therapeutic efficacy of supplemental gluten-digesting enzyme preparations in patients with NCWS.
SUMMARY
Recent studies highlight interesting pathophysiological and clinical features of NCWS. Many questions remain, however, unanswered, such as the epidemiology, a biomarker(s), and the natural history of this clinical entity.
Topics: Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Malabsorption Syndromes; Glutens; Diet, Gluten-Free; Biomarkers; Celiac Disease
PubMed: 36942921
DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000925 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2023Children's Vitamin D (VitD) fortification and supplementation are diminishing due to less outdoor exercise and insufficient VitD intake (low exogenous intake and... (Review)
Review
Children's Vitamin D (VitD) fortification and supplementation are diminishing due to less outdoor exercise and insufficient VitD intake (low exogenous intake and endogenous malabsorption induced by gastrointestinal disease). Consequently, children in many developed countries suffer from VitD deficiency, which may contribute to many paediatric disorders. Our review briefly introduced the metabolic process of VitD, summarized the role of VitD in paediatric diseases such as autism, obesity, rickets and asthma. We sought to identify the link between VitD deficiency and these diseases.
Topics: Child; Humans; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Obesity; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 36495273
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2154381 -
Gastroenterology Sep 2023Belching, bloating, and abdominal distention are all highly prevalent gastrointestinal symptoms and account for some of the most common reasons for patient visits to... (Review)
Review
DESCRIPTION
Belching, bloating, and abdominal distention are all highly prevalent gastrointestinal symptoms and account for some of the most common reasons for patient visits to outpatient gastroenterology practices. These symptoms are often debilitating, affecting patients' quality of life, and contributing to work absenteeism. Belching and bloating differ in their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management, and there is limited evidence available for their various treatments. Therefore, the purpose of this American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Practice Update is to provide best practice advice based on both controlled trials and observational data for clinicians covering clinical features, diagnostics, and management considerations that include dietary, gut-directed behavioral, and drug therapies.
METHODS
This Expert Review was commissioned and approved by the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates Committee and the AGA Governing Board to provide timely guidance on a topic of high clinical importance to the AGA membership, and underwent internal peer review by the Clinical Practice Updates Committee and external peer review through standard procedures of Gastroenterology. These best practice advice statements were drawn from a review of the published literature based on clinical trials, the more robust observational studies, and from expert opinion. Because systematic reviews were not performed, these best practice advice statements do not carry formal ratings regarding the quality of evidence or strength of the presented considerations. Best Practice Advice Statements BESTÂ PRACTICE ADVICE 1: Clinical history and physical examination findings and impedance pH monitoring can help to differentiate between gastric and supragastric belching. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 2: Treatment options for supragastric belching may include brain-gut behavioral therapies, either separately or in combination, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, diaphragmatic breathing, speech therapy, and central neuromodulators. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 3: Rome IV criteria should be used to diagnose primary abdominal bloating and distention. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 4: Carbohydrate enzyme deficiencies may be ruled out with dietary restriction and/or breath testing. In a small subset of at-risk patients, small bowel aspiration and glucose- or lactulose-based hydrogen breath testing may be used to evaluate for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 5: Serologic testing may rule out celiac disease in patients with bloating and, if serologies are positive, a small bowel biopsy should be done to confirm the diagnosis. A gastroenterology dietitian should be part of the multidisciplinary approach to care for patients with celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 6: Abdominal imaging and upper endoscopy should be ordered in patients with alarm features, recent worsening symptoms, or an abnormal physical examination only. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 7: Gastric emptying studies should not be ordered routinely for bloating and distention, but may be considered if nausea and vomiting are present. Whole gut motility and radiopaque transit studies should not be ordered unless other additional and treatment-refractory lower gastrointestinal symptoms exist to warrant testing for neuromyopathic disorders. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 8: In patients with abdominal bloating and distention thought to be related to constipation or difficult evacuation, anorectal physiology testing is suggested to rule out a pelvic floor disorder. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 9: When dietary modifications are needed (eg, low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols diet), a gastroenterology dietitian should preferably monitor treatment. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 10: Probiotics should not be used to treat abdominal bloating and distention. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 11: Biofeedback therapy may be effective for bloating and distention when a pelvic floor disorder is identified. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 12: Central neuromodulators (eg, antidepressants) are used to treat bloating and abdominal distention by reducing visceral hypersensitivity, raising sensation threshold, and improving psychological comorbidities. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 13: Medications used to treat constipation should be considered for treating bloating if constipation symptoms are present. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 14: Psychological therapies, such as hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other brain-gut behavior therapies may be used to treat patients with bloating and distention. BEST PRACTICE 15: Diaphragmatic breathing and central neuromodulators are used to treat abdominophrenic dyssynergia.
Topics: Female; Humans; United States; Eructation; Celiac Disease; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Quality of Life; Constipation; Flatulence; Dilatation, Pathologic
PubMed: 37452811
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.04.039