Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be debilitating causing cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. IBS can affect and one’s work, sleep and relationships.

Most treatments for IBS consist of medications that are often ineffective and can have numerous side effects. A low-FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-Di-Monosaccharides and Polyols) diet is not a new treatment.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers compared the effectiveness of three different dietary approaches in patients with mixed irritable bowel syndrome. These dietary interventions included a low FODMAP diet, an IgG based elimination diet, or nutrition advice from a gastroenterologist.

This study included 73 female patients diagnosed with mixed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M). As a result, there were significant differences in the reduction of IBS symptoms found between the different approaches over an 8-week period. IBS symptoms as well as comorbid symptoms significantly improved or disappeared completely in the IgG food antibody elimination diet. These symptoms included generalized abdominal pain, abdominal pain after a meal, and abdominal pain during defecation. The low FODMAP diet did show some improvement of the IBS symptoms such as reduced mucus in the stool decreased bloating. There were no significant improvements seen by the nutritional advise by the gastroenterologist.

This study demonstrates that various dietary interventions in the treatment of IBS-M patients do not equally affect the course and outcomes of disease management and that everyone patient is unique; therefore, each dietary approach should be personalized as well.

As a result, rotation diets based on IgG food antibody elimination show significantly better results compared to other diets tested. In addition, only the IgG antibody elimination diet demonstrated significant improvements in all the monitored IBS-M symptoms as well as extra-intestinal symptoms.

It is important to note that none of the diets were shown 100% effective. By following an IgG antibody elimination diet some FODMAPs are automatically removed depending on which foods must be avoided. One possible strategy could be to start with the elimination-rotation diet and combining it with a low-FODMAP diet.

Diet is the most effective means to returning balance within the gastrointestinal system. Some patients may need a combination of botanicals, enzymes, and probiotics to optimize the gastrointestinal environment. Certain diagnostic tests may also be beneficial, including stool testing as well as food antibody testing.

The gastrointestinal tract is considered to be the body’s ‘second brain,’ it is made up of a self-contained, complex network of neurons, neurotransmitters, and proteins embedded in the lining of the GI system. It is responsible for all aspects of the digestive process, from the esophagus to the stomach and small and large intestines and may be responsible for IBS symptoms.

There are other nutrients that can support patient with IBS. For example. Perilla frutescens is an herb native to Eastern Asia that demonstrates antispasmodic, prokinetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, which help normalize and promote health bowel function and provide relief from GI symptoms. In addition, there are some specific researched strains such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 that have been shown to reduce digestive discomfort and abdominal pain in individuals with IBS.

By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS Source: Ostrowka L, Wasiluk D, et al. Igg Food Antibody Guided Elimination-Rotation Diet Was More Effective than FODMAP Diet and Control Diet in the Treatment of Women with Mixed IBS-Results from an Open Label Study. J Clin Med. 2021 Sep 23;10(19):4317.

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