Food Sensitivity Testing and Elimination Diets in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The nonpharmacologic management of irritable bowel syndrome focuses on dietary modification through the concept of food sensitivity or intolerance. Currently, testing for food allergies is not recommended in the absence of a clinical history consistent with an immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction. Objective means of determining food sensitivity, such as individualized diets, are being studied, but testing for food sensitivity is limited to certain food groups. Diets such as the low-FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet may provide benefit.