Fructose Sensitivity FAQ Sheet

Fructose Sensitivity can be controlled through dietary changes. Unfortunately, this condition is frequently mistaken for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) which plagues many individuals around the world. It can be particularly frustrating when after months of dietary issues such as acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating, and severe cramping, the only thing you hear from the doctor is a diagnosis of IBS. Fortunately, there is now a test to make diagnosis of Fructose Sensitivity more accurate.

What is Fructose Sensitivity?

There are two syndromes falling into this category; both are often initially misdiagnosed as IBS with one of these a life-threatening condition:

- Fructose Intolerance: This inherited disease prevents the digestive system from processing fructose of any kind and is extremely dangerous if not treated properly. The liver and kidneys can become damaged and a completely fructose free diet must be implemented throughout the patient's lifetime.

- Fructose Malabsorption: Affecting 30% of the population, this syndrome is not as severe as Fructose Intolerance but still creates an inability to process fructose completely. This also requires dietary modifications in order to live comfortably and patients are sometimes, incorrectly, told they have Fructose Intolerance..

What are the symptoms of Fructose Sensitivity?

Symptoms mimic those of IBS including diarrhea, bloating, acid reflux, severe cramping and even vomiting, particularly in the more severe Fructose Intolerance. This occurs shortly after meals.

Also, because food is not properly and fully digested while passing through the system, some individuals may also be at increased risk for osteoporosis or anemia.

How is it diagnosed?

Fortunately the Hydrogen Breath Test can now be used to help diagnose issues with Fructose sensitivity. This three hour test requires the individual to drink a small cup of a fructose mixture and then after a short period of time breathe into a breathalyzer machine testing the fluctuation of hydrogen levels. This is repeated several times over the duration of the test. The patient must remain awake but still during this time period.

This H2 Breathalyzer test can only assist in diagnosis. Monitoring of the diet and ruling out other issues must also occur in order to get a full picture.

What foods can affect Fructose sensitivity?

Apples, pears, grapes, raisons, peaches, plums, prunes and apricots are fruits which must all be avoided. In addition, honey, molasses and maple syrup can cause severe symptoms. For vegetables, the worst are carrots, tomatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, yams, winter squash and eggplant. Sugar cured meats or processed meats containing apples or corn or maple syrup can cause a flair-up of symptoms.

Sorbital also causes problems since this sugar is converted to Fructose during the digestive process and Maltodextrin can cause a flair-up because it is derived from corn starch, and corn is one of the offending vegetables. Also, many individuals with Fructose sensitivity have severe issues with High Fructose Corn Syrup. Products with this sugar substitute should be avoided if symptoms still occur after eliminating the other foods and sugars..

Read the labels. Avoiding these in the diet is not easy but it is possible to eat well and avoid the offending foods. Careful scrutiny of food labels will give the individual an idea which brands of which foods they can tolerate. Products containing any of the ingredients listed above, particularly in the first few items of a food product's ingredient listing should be avoided.

The above can only be used as a guideline and trial and error is sometimes required to discover the correct diet plan. Particularly for the more severe Fructose Intolerance, the diet will have to be further restricted to include almost all fruits, many other vegetables and certain meats. The doctor will provide a more extensive list to patients.

Can it be cured?

Not at this time, though with some effort, it can be controlled. Those with Fructose Intolerance will need strict and persistent dietary monitoring while those with the more minor Fructose Malabsorption may find they can simply adjust their diet to exclude their major offenders. Over time these individuals may even be able to eat some of those foods in very small quantities on a sporadic basis.

Sources:

FoodIntol. "Fructose Intolerance & Fructose Malabsorption". http://www.foodintol.com/sugar.asp
MayoClinic. "Fructose Intolerance: Which foods should I avoid?". http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fructose-intolerance/AN01574
HFI Laboratory at Boston University. "What is Heriditary Fructose Intolerance (HFI)? ". http://www.bu.edu/aldolase/HFI/