They did a review of the clinical research publications. At the moment there is no clinical evidence that excluding certain foods effective. However, this does not mean that excluding certain food is not effective. It only means that so far the clinical research has not shown any effective treatment using food allergies as an indicator. Maldigestion of things like lactose, sorbitol, fructose and other things are not consider food allergies. It could be that the research studies were not designed to a sufficient standard to make a strong or moderate assertion or that the research has not been done yet.
If you read the report you will see what was actually said was "Approximately 60 % of IBS patients believe that food exacerbates their symptoms, and research has suggested that allergy to certain foods could trigger IBS symptoms. A systematic review identified eight studies that assessed a symptomatic response to exclusion diets in 540 IBS subjects. Studies reported a positive response in 12.5 – 67 % of patients, but the absence of control groups makes it is unclear whether these rates simply reflect a placebo response. There is no correlation between foods that patients identify as a cause of their IBS symptoms and the results of food allergy testing. One randomized trial suggested that patients with IBS can identify foods that cause symptoms, but two subsequent trials have not confirmed this." Note - they are talking specifically about a correlation between food allergy tests and triggers.
However, they do say "Currently there is little evidence to support exclusion diets for the treatment of IBS, although a modest effect cannot be excluded from these data."
Remember - the information they published is based on published clinical evidence not hearsay or poorly designed studies.
Posts
Re: American College of Gastroenterology - online IBS tool
