New research suggests a personalized diet based on a blood test may significantly reduce abdominal pain in IBS patients.

A Michigan Medicine and Cleveland Clinic study found that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experienced less abdominal pain when following a diet based on Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses to specific foods. The trial, published in Gastroenterology, compared 238 participants on either an IgG-based elimination diet or a sham diet.

Results showed that 59.6% of those who avoided IgG-identified trigger foods met the FDA standard for pain reduction, compared to 42.2% in the sham group. Benefits were most pronounced in patients with IBS-C (constipation) and IBS-M (mixed constipation and diarrhea), with 67.1% and 66% response rates, respectively.

Unlike broad elimination diets like low FODMAP, this IgG-based approach allows patients to remove only a few specific trigger foods, making it easier to follow. Researchers emphasize that while further validation is needed, this study marks progress toward a more personalized, precision-based approach to IBS treatment.

Reference: Singh P, Lembo A, Chey W, et al. IgG-based elimination diet for IBS symptom management. Gastroenterology. 2024.