The accurate identification of the most problematic foods via functional pathology testing will often provide valuable symptom relief and allow for much more effective treatment outcomes

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Symptoms vary widely from person to person, the most common being:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Alternating diarrhoea or constipation
• Mucus in the stool

According to the Australian Gastroenterology Institute, this difficult and depleting syndrome is a very common problem, with approximately one in seven people experience symptoms of this type.

There is a complex set of factors at play when a person has chronic IBS, including susceptibility, stress, diet, lifestyle, etc, and the idea of food sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not new. But what has changed is the speed and accuracy that problematic foods can be identified. Increasingly, is being recognised that there is a detectable immune response occurring, with the generation of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) by the body to foods it is struggling to tolerate. IgG is the most abundant class of antibodies found in blood serum and lymph and are active against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and foreign particles.

In irritable bowel syndrome, research has suggested that the detection of IgG food antibodies might provide a useful guide as to the foods that should be eliminated from the diet whilst gut repair and immune support is commenced. The removal of the most problematic foods will often provide valuable symptom relief and allow for much more effective treatment. Access to functional pathology testing for up to 96 different food groups’ gives highly detailed and accurate information about what the body is sensitive or intolerant to.  This includes:

• Dairy components and products
• Eggs
• Nuts, Seeds and Legumes
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Grains
• Meats and Poultry
• Fish and seafood
• Miscellaneous, such as yeast, sugar, honey, coffee bean, cocoa bean

Interestingly, with good treatment, over time most people seem to improve their ability to tolerate some or all of the foods they have had reactions to.

This kind of diagnostic test also has relevance to other chronic conditions where food sensitivity is a probable component, such as migraines, eczema, psoriasis, asthma, sinus congestion, etc. For more information, feel free to contact Judith to discuss any health concerns and treatment options.