Have you tried diets like low-FODMAP or low-carb to manage your IBS symptoms without seeing much improvement? The reason might be deeper than your food choices—it could be your genes!
Groundbreaking research suggests that genetic differences in the enzymes that help digest carbohydrates might explain why some people with IBS benefit from certain diets while others don’t.
Understanding these genetic factors could open the door to tailored diet plans designed specifically for you!
What Is IBS, and Why Do Diets Matter?
IBS affects up to 15% of the global population, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Many people with IBS notice their symptoms worsen after eating certain foods, particularly carbohydrates.
Dietary strategies, such as the low-FODMAP diet, are often recommended to reduce these symptoms. These diets focus on eliminating or reducing specific carbohydrates that are harder to digest. While these approaches work for some, not everyone experiences relief—and that’s where genetics might come into play.
How Genetics Influences Digestion
Your genes play a significant role in how your body processes food. For example, people with lactose intolerance lack the lactase enzyme needed to digest dairy.
Similarly, genetic variations in carbohydrate-active enzyme genes (hCAZymes) may influence how effectively you digest certain carbohydrates, potentially triggering IBS symptoms.
This field of research, known as nutrigenetics, explores the interaction between nutrition and your unique genetic makeup to better understand how your body reacts to food.
What Does the Latest Research Show?
A 2024 study in Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology examined the connection between hCAZyme gene variants and responses to low-carb diets in IBS patients. The findings are groundbreaking:
Individuals with faulty hCAZyme gene variants were more likely to benefit from low-carb diets.
These genetic differences could serve as markers, helping clinicians identify which patients are most likely to respond to specific dietary strategies.
Personalized diet plans based on genetic markers could improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary dietary restrictions.
For IBS patients, this means that understanding your genetic makeup might help pinpoint the best dietary approach for managing symptoms.
What Could This Mean for IBS Management?
If validated through further studies, this research could lead to a major shift in how IBS is treated.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, diets could be personalized based on an individual’s genetic profile.
This personalized approach could:
Help you avoid overly restrictive diets if they’re unlikely to work for you.
Increase the effectiveness of dietary treatments for those with specific genetic variants.
Make it easier to manage IBS symptoms while maintaining a balanced, enjoyable diet.
What’s Next?
While this research is promising, more studies are needed to fully understand how these genetic factors influence IBS management. Future advancements could enable clinicians to integrate genetic testing into IBS treatment plans, offering patients more precise and effective dietary recommendations.
Ready to Support Your Gut with a Personalized, Gut-Loving Approch?
Even without genetic testing, you can take steps to better understand and manage your gut health.
Take the first step toward understanding your gut with my free guide, Decoding Digestion. This simple, practical resource includes tests and tips to help you tune into your digestive health.
👉 Download your free copy here and start your journey toward a healthier gut today!
Have more questions about probiotics or IBS?
Let’s connect! Drop a comment or explore my other blog posts for more expert tips on managing gut health.
Written By: Anjalika Revington, MSc. (Human Nutritional Sciences)
Edited By: Zahra Tromsness, MHSc, RD, FMP
REFERENCES
Zamfir-Taranu, A., Löscher, B. S., Carbone, F., Hoter, A., Blanco, C. E., Bozzarelli, I., Torices, L., Routhiaux, K., Van den Houte, K., Bonfiglio, F., Mayr, G., Corsetti, M., Naim, H. Y., Franke, A., Tack, J., & D'Amato, M. (2024). Functional variation in human CAZyme genes in relation to the efficacy of a carbohydrate-restricted diet in IBS patients. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, S1542-3565(24)00870-X. Advance online publication.
Wardman, J. F., Bains, R. K., Rahfeld, P., & Withers, S. G. (2022). Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in the gut microbiome. Nature reviews. Microbiology, 20(9), 542–556.
Rej, A., Avery, A., Ford, A. C., Holdoway, A., Kurien, M., McKenzie, Y., Thompson, J., Trott, N., Whelan, K., Williams, M., & Sanders, D. S. (2018). Clinical application of dietary therapies in irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD, 27(3), 307–316.
Saito Y. A. (2011). The role of genetics in IBS. Gastroenterology clinics of North America, 40(1), 45–67.
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