Food, Nutrients, and Dietary Supplements in Management of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction, Formerly Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), formerly known as functional gastrointestinal disorders, are common across the globe. Although no adverse effects on life expectancy is observed in large studies, these disorders result in considerable health care, psychological, and social burden. There is dearth of effective "gold standard" pharmacological treatment. Hence, patients with DGBIs are more likely to try nonprescription nutritional remedies and dietary supplements to seek further relief. In this chapter, we describe nonmedicinal substances and dietary substitutes used in the treatment of DGBIs and examine existing knowledge and evidence supporting their efficacy and role in treatment.