Abstract
Purpose : To determine whether there is a significant relationship between the consumption of alcohol, purines and boron, and the incidence of irritable bowel syndrome or frequent diarrhoea. Design : Statistical survey of diets. Materials and Methods : 120 individuals, seeking help with chronic health problems, were assessed for their intake of purines, alcohol and boron, which are dietary items that use body stores of vitamin B2 and molybdenum. They stated whether they had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or frequent diarrhoea. The proportions with different types of diet who had symptoms were compared. The group was extended to 578 individuals, and the calculations repeated, both for the whole group, and for males and females separately. Statistical significance was assessed, using a chi-squared test. Results : In all three groups, those with higher intakes of alcohol, purines and boron had a higher prevalence of IBS or frequent diarrhoea. The relationship was found to be significant. Conclusions : Reducing alcohol, purines and boron in the diet of patients with IBS or chronic diarrhoea may be a cost-effective treatment. A randomized study would be helpful to assess the results of such an intervention.