Lately one of my patients asked me about fructose
intolerance and depression. I couldn’t answer the question, so I looked up
PubMed and found a study, which had been published in October 2000. Alimentary
fructose intolerance is better called fructose malabsorption.
M.
Ledochowski and colleagues published a study on: „Fructose- and
sorbitol-reduced diet improves mood and gastrointestinal disturbances in
fructose malabsorbers.” They concluded: “Fructose- and sorbitol-reduced diet in
subjects with fructose malabsorption does not only reduce gastrointestinal
symptoms but also improves mood and early signs of depression.” (1)
M. Ledochowski and (other) colleagues published a study on:
„Fructose malabsorption is associated with decreased plasma tryptophan.” They
concluded: “Fructose malabsorption is associated with lower tryptophan levels
that may play a role in the development of depressive disorders. High
intestinal fructose concentration seems to interfere with L-tryptophan
metabolism, and it may reduce availability of tryptophan for the biosynthesis
of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine).” (2)
Fructose malabsorption is diagnosed by a hydrogen breath
test as a high load of unabsorbed fructose will be fermented by intestinal
bacteria producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and more, which leads to
bloating or flatulence. People with fructose malabsorption should keep a diet
(3).
There are hints that fructose malabsorption might influence
mood, but there hasn’t been any research since the year 2001, which makes it
hard to believe that the association is relevant. Therefore gastrointestinal
symptoms should be guiding dietary measures.
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