Functional bowel disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are very common. In fact IBS affects about 10% of people and 70 per cent of those suffering are women.  While for some these symptoms are mild, the truth is that for many these digestive symptoms have a profound effect on quality of life. It can impact your mental and emotional health, sleep, eating patterns and overall feelings of vitality. There are many interconnected factors involved in IBS symptoms and its pathophysiology is complex which means what works for one person may not work for another.  However dietary strategies and nutritional interventions have a profound impact on symptoms and quality of life. In this talk Christine Bailey will briefly provide an overview of IBS and its pathophysiology before focusing on the key dietary factors to consider, nutritional support for alleviating symptoms and the role of nutritional supplementation.