February 17, 2025- Michigan Medicine and Cleveland Clinic researchers have found that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were more likely to experience less abdominal pain if they followed a diet guided by the results of a blood test, compared to those who followed a sham elimination diet.
The blood test in this study (InFoods IBS, Biomerica) was specifically developed for patients with IBS and determined a positive test result for each food that triggered an above normal Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response, which is a marker of inflammation in patients with IBS. The study results were published in Gastroenterology.
Irritable bowel syndrome affects about 10% to 15% of adults in the United States. Studies have shown that individuals who have IBS report a lower health-related quality of life and decreased work productivity. Individuals with IBS experience various symptoms, including abdominal pain and cramps. Some factors, such as certain foods, can worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups, according to Cleveland Clinic.