BRAN AND IRRITABLE-BOWEL-SYNDROME - TIME FOR REAPPRAISAL

Whilst following up large numbers of patients with irritable bowel syn drome we got the impression that wholemeal wheat and bran products mad e people with the condition worse rather than better. One hundred cons ecutive new referrals, all of whom had tried bran, were questioned to resolve this issue. 55% of patients were made worse by bran whereas on ly 10% had found it helpful. With the exception of fruit, other forms of dietary fibre were not as detrimental and proprietary supplements w ere found to be beneficial. All symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome w ere exacerbated by bran, with bowel disturbance most often adversely a ffected, followed by abdominal distension and pain. The results of thi s study suggest that the use of bran in irritable bowel syndrome shoul d be reconsidered. The study also raises the possibility that excessiv e consumption of bran in the community may actually be creating patien ts with irritable bowel syndrome by exacerbating mild, noncomplaining cases.