Researchers at Baptist University on Wednesday said patients with an incurable gastrointestinal disorder should reduce their intake of high-protein foods to relieve their symptoms.

The research team said about one in 15 adults in Hong Kong suffers from the condition known as diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Patients have symptoms including frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain and bloating. However, there isn’t a cure for the disease, the researchers said.

To better understand the condition, they studied stool samples from about 300 patients.

They found that a bacterium in the gut, Ruminococcus gnavus, is a major trigger factor of the symptoms in IBS-D patients.

Dr Zhai Li-xiang, who led the research, said their finding paves the way for the development of new drugs.

"Currently there are some drugs which can help alleviate the symptoms for patients of irritable bowel syndrome, but these are reported with adverse effects. We also have some drugs to alleviate the symptoms including diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain. However, these drugs only alleviate the symptoms but do not cure the irritable bowel syndrome," he said.

Zhai added that people with the disease can improve their condition, for example, by reducing their intake of high-protein foods.

“Patients with IBS-D can consider modifying their dietary patterns by reducing the intake of red meat and increasing the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits.”

The research findings have been published in the scientific journal Cell Host & Microbe.