Suffering From Irritable Bowel Syndrome? This Blood Test Could Help Avoid Triggers In Your Diet

A new study suggests that a blood test could help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) identify and eliminate specific trigger foods that worsen their symptoms. The research, published in Gastroenterology, found that patients who followed a diet based on the test results experienced significant relief from stomach pain.

How the Blood Test Works

The blood test, called inFoods IBS, detects levels of an antibody known as immunoglobulin G (IgG), which is produced when the body reacts negatively to certain foods. Higher IgG levels indicate a stronger reaction, meaning that eliminating these foods could help reduce symptoms. The test examines 18 common foods, including wheat, oats, rye, whole eggs, cow’s milk, black tea, cabbage, corn, grapefruit, honey, lemon, and pineapple.

Study Findings

Researchers from the University of Michigan analyzed data from nearly 240 IBS patients. All participants provided a blood sample to determine their potential food sensitivities. They were then divided into two groups:

- One group followed a diet-eliminating foods flagged by the blood test.

- 1The other group followed a "sham" elimination diet, where they avoided foods similar to those that triggered a reaction but weren’t identified as direct triggers.

The results showed that 60 per cent of IBS patients who followed the test-guided diet experienced less stomach pain, compared to 42 per cent in the sham diet group. The benefits were particularly noticeable in patients with IBS accompanied by constipation or a mix of constipation and diarrhoea—where symptom improvement rates were 67 per cent and 66 per cent, respectively.

A Step Toward Personalized NutritionDr William Chey, chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Michigan, believes the findings bring IBS treatment closer to a "precision nutrition" approach, where dietary recommendations can be tailored to each patient.

Many IBS patients struggle with elimination diets, which often restrict a wide range of foods, making them difficult to follow. This test could help simplify the process by identifying only a few specific trigger foods, allowing patients to manage their symptoms more effectively without relying on medications.

Dr Prashant Singh, a lead researcher in the study, explained that IBS patients frequently ask if there's a way to determine which foods are causing their symptoms. "We have patients all the time who say, ‘I know food is a problem for me. Is there any way to figure out which foods I'm sensitive to?’"

While the test shows promising results, it is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The clinical trial was funded by Biomerica, the company that developed inFoods IBS.

Dr Anthony Lembo from the Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute emphasized the importance of identifying dietary triggers in IBS management, stating that this test could offer a practical solution for patients looking for targeted dietary interventions.

With further validation, this test could become a valuable tool in helping IBS patients manage their condition more effectively through personalized dietary changes.

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