Exclusion diets in irritable bowel syndrome: are they worthwhile?

J Clin Gastroenterol. 1987 Oct;9(5):526-8. doi: 10.1097/00004836-198710000-00007.

Abstract

Forty patients with irritable bowel syndrome received an antigen-exclusion diet identical to that previously reported to be highly effective in this condition. Only 15% of the group as a whole showed evidence of food intolerance manifested by an improvement in their irritable bowel symptoms. In a further 12.5% only well-being improved and this did not seem to be related to the exclusion of any particular food. Patients whose bowel dysfunction was characterized by diarrhea responded the best (3/8) whereas those with constipation consistently failed to improve.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Colonic Diseases, Functional / diet therapy*
  • Colonic Diseases, Functional / etiology
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged