Treatment for Fructose Intolerance

Diagnosis and Dietary Management

The primary treatment for fructose intolerance is dietary restriction of fructose-containing foods, which has been shown to improve symptoms in up to 80% of patients when properly implemented and adhered to 1, 2
Dietary restriction test (2 weeks) is the simplest and most economically sound way to diagnose fructose intolerance 2
Breath testing measuring hydrogen, methane, and CO2 can be used for patients refractory to dietary restrictions 2
Fructose intolerance is common, seen in approximately 60% of patients with digestive disorders 2

Avoid or limit sugar-sweetened beverages containing high-fructose corn syrup 4
Avoid or limit foods with added fructose as sweeteners 5
Avoid or limit foods containing fructans 1
Consider a low-FODMAP diet which restricts fermentable carbohydrates including fructose 1, 2

Ensure the diet remains nutritionally balanced despite restrictions 1
Monitor for development of restrictive eating patterns 1
Implementation of restrictive diets should ideally be done with a trained gastroenterology dietitian 1
For patients with overlapping conditions like IBS, additional therapies may be needed 2
Physical activity may help attenuate some negative metabolic effects of fructose 6
If dietary management is unsuccessful, evaluate for other gastrointestinal disorders 2