1. Low Carb Diet and gastrointestinal
diseases
21/12/20141
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Reijo Laatikainen, Authorized Nutritionist, MBA
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2. Page 2
Low Carb Diet & _
gastrointestinal health
Note. The figure bases on scarce RCT & epidemiological data and on theoretical models.
*) Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Fiber
intake
Constipation

Colorectal
cancer
Diverticulosis

Intake of
FODMAP
carbs 
IBS
symptoms 
Prebiotic
effects of
FODMAP

Fat intake

GERD  in
theory. In
practise not?
NAFLD*
Gallstones 
Fructose
intake 
NAFLD 
IBS
symptoms
Gallstones 
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3. Key observations
• There is an urgent need to study the effects of low carbohydrate diet on
gastrointestinal health
• Many RC trials have shown increased incidence of constipation
• Theoretically, incidence of diverticulosis might increase also
• IBS symptoms may be alleviated, especially in diarrhoea predominant IBS
• Theoretically, symptoms of dyspepsia may worsen due to high fat intake
• Theoretically, symptoms of GERD may worsen due to high fat intake.
However, one intervention trial showed opposite outcome
• High fat intake may increase risk of gallstone whereas low intake of fructose
may decrease it
• Effects on NAFLD are contradictory
• Effects on IBD are unexplored
21/12/20143
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