A study from the University of Michigan Medical School and the Cleveland Clinic suggests that a diet guided by a blood test measuring immune responses to certain foods can reduce pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.
The InFoods IBS Blood Test
The InFoods IBS blood test (Biomerica) analyzes immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to 18 foods that may trigger inflammation in IBS patients. Published in Gastroenterology, the study included 238 participants across eight U.S. academic centers. Participants either followed an IgG-based elimination diet or a sham diet. It was found that 59.6% of those on the test-based diet experienced significant relief from abdominal pain, compared to just 42.2% in the control group.
Effectiveness for IBS Subtypes
The diet based on the IgG test showed particularly promising results in patients with mixed IBS (IBS-M), which includes both constipation and diarrhea, and IBS with constipation (IBS-C). In these groups, the test-oriented diet outperformed the sham diet, with 67.1% and 66% of patients, respectively, showing significant improvement, compared to 35.8% and 29.5% in the control group. As Prashant Singh, the lead author, explained, “patients often ask if it is possible to identify which foods make their condition worse – this test provides a scientifically based answer.”
Advantages Over Traditional Diets
This study addresses shortcomings of previous IgG-mediated elimination diet studies, such as insufficient test validity and lack of a control group. Unlike traditional low FODMAP diets, which restrict a wide range of foods, the test-based approach allows for the elimination of only specific foods, potentially making it more manageable for patients.
A Promising Alternative for IBS Treatment
With no FDA-approved drugs for IBS-M, this diet could offer a valuable alternative for symptom management. William Chey, chair of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Michigan, emphasized that while “this test needs further validation, it could pave the way for personalised nutrition for patients with IBS.”
This article is intended for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
