DIETARY FIBER AND DISTRESSING GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN MIDLIFE WOMEN

In this descriptive study, 20 midlife women experiencing chronic distr essing gastrointestinal (Gl) symptoms recorded Gl symptom severity in a symptom diary for a 30-day period and dietary intake in a 9-day food record. A wide variability in Gl symptom severity was noted. Signific ant negative relationships were present between dietary fiber intake a nd abdominal pain, awakening with abdominal pain, nausea, awakening wi th nausea, and awakening with rectal pain. No significant relationship s were noted between amount of caffeine or alcohol intake and distress ing Gl symptoms.