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  • Investigating the effects of fibre supplementation for people with IBS on low FODMAP diets.

    Investigating the effects of fibre supplementation for people with IBS on low FODMAP diets.

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The effect of Fibre-fix in gut health, sleep and mental health in people with IBS and on a low FODMAP diet

The human gut has shown its power as ‘a second brain’ to modulate mood and influence sleep.  People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) who may suffer many gut symptoms such as belly pain, bloating, constipations or diarrhea, may also have associated mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. Often people with IBS need to be cautious about when and what they eat each day to minimise symptoms. A low FODMAP diet, a diet reducing fermentable fibres and sugars, appears to be an effective way to reduce foods that trigger some gut symptoms. However, some research has shown that this diet impacts gut health in the long term.

The research

The research team is carrying out a study where we provide a fibre supplement to people with IBS, who are on a low FODMAP diet. This controlled double-blinded intervention study will identify the effects of Fibre-fix (a combination of fibres) on the gut microbiota, sleep and mental health. Participants will be provided with Fibre-fix or a control fibre supplement, for a period of 3-weeks. They will receive an education package, a stool kit and a wrist-based sleep tracker during the study. Additionally, participants will be asked to provide stool and blood samples, complete online questionnaires relating to sleep, depression, anxiety and record a 3-day food intake before and after the study. Each day participants will wear the sleep tracker on their wrist and record a bowel symptoms diary. After the study, participants will receive results from their sleep, food and nutrition analysis, and body composition measurements.

Who do we need?

Adult men and women (18-65 years old) that have been clinically diagnosed with IBS who are on a low FODMAP diet.

Participants will need to be available to attend clinic visits at Edith Cowan University Joondalup campus, and be willing to consume the intervention supplement sachets each day and provide blood and stool samples.

Research team

The research team includes experts in nutrition, diet, sleep, gut health and data analysis, who will provide support and supervision throughout the study.

  • Professor Amanda Devine (School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University)
  • Dr Claus Christophersen (School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University)
  • Evania Marlow (Accredited Practising Dietitian)
  • Dr Ian C Dunican (Centre for Sleep Science, University of Western Australia)
  • Dr Johnny Lo (School of Science, Edith Cowan University)
  • Tina Yan (PhD Candidate, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University)
  • Mandy Murphy (Master student, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University)

Contact

For more information please contact:

Tina Yan
Telephone: 0448 264 864
Email: RYAN1@our.ecu.edu.au

Mandy Murphy
Email: ajmurph1@our.ecu.edu.au

Dr Claus Christophersen
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 5278
Email: c.christophersen@ecu.edu.au

Dr Ian Dunican
Telephone: 0409 680 867
Email: ian.dunican@meliusconsulting.com.au

Professor Amanda Devine
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 5527
Email: a.devine@ecu.edu.au

Student Projects

Does Fibre-fix provided to people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who are consuming a low FODMAP diet improve their gut health, gut microbiome, sleep and mental health?

Approved by ECU HREC. Ethics number: 2019-00619-YAN

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