Intestinal Dysbiosis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: exploring nutritional approaches as therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, the relationship between the gut microbiota and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been extensively studied. Scientific evidence suggests that intestinal dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance in the diversity and abundance of gut microorganisms,  factor in the pathophysiology of IBS.The aim of this article is to review the recent literature on the impact of intestinal dysbiosis on Irritable Bowel Syndrome, with an emphasis on evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Methodology: The current study was a narrative review of the qualitative literature on the impact of intestinal dysbiosis on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This type of review was chosen due to its ability to comprehensively address the issue at hand, allowing for an in-depth theoretical and contextual discussion. Results: Studies show that reducing foods rich in FODMAPs significantly improves IBS symptoms, particularly in patients with intestinal dysbiosis. This protocol involves the temporary reduction or elimination of foods high in FODMAPs to improve symptoms associated with IBS. Furthermore, supplementation with soluble fibers, such as psyllium, helps to alleviate constipation in IBS by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and improving stool consistency. Conclusion: The combination of nutritional and pharmacological interventions has shown promising results, but longitudinal studies are needed to deepen the understanding of the causality between dysbiosis and IBS symptoms, as well as to determine the durability of these interventions.