Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel rhythm. There is no cause for it.
The Foodcare team would like to draw attention to the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and food intolerances. More and more scientific evidence shows that both pathologies occur in more and more patients.
Irritable bowel syndrome
According to specialists in Allergology, irritable bowel syndrome can be associated with multiple factors, such as psychological, genetic or hormonal; but there is increasing evidence linking it to food intolerances. There are mainly two:
- Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which is not the same as celiac disease. The fundamental basis of diagnosis is a diet similar to that of celiac disease.
- Fructose intolerance. About 30% of the population suffers from fructose intolerance, which could also explain the high number of cases of people with irritable bowel. Fructose, in our opinion, is the key element of this syndrome and exclusion diets achieve the resolution of symptoms and discomfort.
In fact, in many patients with irritable bowel syndrome, a food intolerance mainly to fructose is confirmed; at the same time they suffer from an allergic process and/or atopy in a percentage close to 65%.
There is evidence that both food allergy and atopy could be relevant processes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Food intolerance behind irritable bowel syndrome
In our opinion, the key lies in the intestinal microbiota. Imbalances in the intestinal flora are associated with food intolerances, which in turn, are behind irritable bowel syndrome, justifying part of its symptoms.
There is much research to be done in this field, but it seems a reality that almost all patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome really suffer from a food intolerance that needs to be diagnosed.
This integrated, multidisciplinary approach is the way we at Foodcare work with all our patients.