Some people who suffer with irritable bowel symptoms like chronic gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may experience relief by giving up wheat (and other grains containing gluten). Research appearing in Gastroenterology (2004;126(7):1721-1732) suggests that many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have celiac sprue (sensitivity to gluten, a protein present in wheat, oats, rye and other grains). As many as 75% of the patients with celiac sprue have IBS symptoms.  When screening for celiac sprue in 4000 subjects with no symptoms, one in 133 was found to have the gluten insensitivity. The incidence may be as much as seven times higher in patients with IBS. While this is not a magic bullet for all patients with irritable bowel syndrome are sensitive to gluten, researchers believe that it is worthwhile to rule out gluten sensitivity for patients with IBS.

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