The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has increased over the last 50 years in countries where a Western-style diet has been prominent or introduced and 20 - 65 % of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) attribute their symptoms to something in food that activates an abnormal response. However, data from dietary elimination and re-challenge studies are inconclusive. Although investigations have shown that bran may be helpful in some patients, a complete review of the literature does not reveal conclusive evidence that a high fibre diet therapy is effective in IBS. From the limited reports on probiotics, there appears to be a trend to decreasing symptoms. Despite numerous reviews on this subject, it is very difficult to give general dietary advice to IBS patients, but dietary experts may have a positive role in managing such patients. It is clear that much more prospective research is needed to study both dietary factors and probiotics in these areas.