If you suffer from the symptoms related to IBS, did you know that the food you are eating could be the root of the problem?  According to leading charity Allergy UK up to 45% of the population suffers from food intolerances.  YorkTest has a food intolerance programme that can help you to indentify which foods you are reacting to.

 

 

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gut disorder characterised by abdominal pain, stomach distension and bowel dysfunction; loose bowels, constipation or a fluctuation between the two. 

 

IBS is now one of the most common problems of the digestive system and about one in six people have symptoms. The disease can develop at any age, but most people have their first symptoms between the ages of 15 and 40.

 

Most people's symptoms are so mild that they never see a doctor for treatment. However, some people have really troublesome symptoms, especially abdominal cramps, bloating, and urgent diarrhoea which seriously affect their quality of life. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not well understood.

 

Treatment for IBS usually focuses on changes in diet and lifestyle, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms, and managing stress.

 

Individuals with IBS need to feel actively involved in their treatment; taking control and feeling empowered are really vital as IBS can seem like such an unpredictable condition. Some foods will nearly always cause symptoms while others don’t, and it can be incredibly frustrating trying to pin down what you can and can’t eat without suffering an attack.

 

The problem with attempting any dietary modification is that first you need to know what to change. Currently the best accepted method for confirming food sensitivities is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no improvement during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not causing the symptoms, and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is very time consuming, and because it is impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems, it is a very ineffective process.

 

In one survey* of 777 IBS sufferers, 84% benefitted in terms of the frequency and severity of their attacks if they removed the foods from their diet that showed IgG food antibody reactions in their blood. The test that was used in the survey was the YorkTest FoodScan 113; it only requires a few drops of blood from a finger prick that can be collected in the comfort of your own home.

 

 

The First Step test is a pre-screen which identifies whether food-specific IgG antibody reactions are detected or not. If food-specific IgG antibodies are detected then you can choose to embark on the more comprehensive Second Step FoodScan 113 programme. Included in the FoodScan 113 programme are two consultations with a qualified Nutritional Therapist who will help you look at how to manage any potential food intolerances.

 

 

Please call our specialists on 0800 074 6185 who will be happy to provide you with free, confidential expert advice and guidance on the First Step test. Alternatively click here for further information or buy now  

 

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* Survey commissioned by Allergy UK and further analysed by the University of York: Originally published as Hardman, G. and Hart, G. “Dietary advice based on food-specific IgG results”. Nutrition and Food Science (2007) 37, 16-23.