Effect of a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet on fasting small intestinal motility

Abstract

Background: Changes in diet can alter gastric and small intestinal (SI) motility. The effects of a vegetarian diet on fasting SI motility are unknown. Methods: Manometric studies were performed in 9 lacto-ovo vegetarians (7 women) and 9 omnivores (7 women) of similar age and body mass index. On each study day, manometry was used to assess SI motility for 5 h, or 3 complete cycles of the interdigestive motor complex (IDMC). Lacto-ovo vegetarians were studied once; omnivores were studied twice, on their usual diet, and after consuming a 14–day lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. Diet diaries were kept for 5 days prior to each manometric study. Data were analysed for dietary composition and for cycle length and duration of each phase (I, II and III) of the IDMC. Results: Dietary intake did not differ between chronic vegetarians and chronic omnivores apart from a trend to higher . bre intake (29 ± 3 versus 20 ± 3 g/day; P = 0.058). Omnivores eating a vegetarian diet showed a trend to decreased alcohol consumption (P = 0.068), but did not increase their . bre intake (20 ± 3 versus 21 ± 3 g/day). Neither cycle length nor duration of each IDMC phase differed between chronic vegetarians and chronic omnivores. After 14 days of a vegetarian diet, omnivores had a reduction in cycle length (128 ± 19 versus 86 ± 12 min; P = 0.02), with a non-signi. cant reduction of Phase II (99 ± 20 versus 50 ± 8 min; P = 0.066). Conclusions: A chronic vegetarian diet has no major effect on fasting SI motility; but acute dietary change may alter the cycle length and component phases of the IDMC