Canadian

Digestive
Health
Foundation

Celiac Disease VS Irritable Bowel Syndrome

(IBS)

A digestive condition that A functional gut disorder that

affects the small intestinal tract affects the lower portion of the
W hat is it?
in the gut. Eating gluten gastrointestinal tract, There is

?
damages the small intestinal nothing structurally wrong with
villi, which are finger-like the gut, but rather, there's
projections that capture something wrong with how the
nutrients from your food. gut moves and senses
digestion.
Damaged Villi

• bloating
• weight loss
mptoms • abdominal pain
• iron deficiency Sy
• changes in bowel habits like constipation,
• joint pain
diarrhea, or both.
• migraines
• reproductive issues
• osteoporosis
! IBS can be subtyped into:
IBS-D diarrhea dominant
• a skin rash called dermatitis
IBS-C constipation dominant
herpetiformis
IBS-M mixed - depending on symptoms

onimal Pa Bloating Diarrhea nstipation

IBS and celiac can bd Co
in
A

both present with

symptoms such as:

eatments
Remove gluten, a protein found in To date, the Low FODMAP diet is one of F
wheat, barley, and rye, and other Tr the most well-researched diets that shows O
variants from the diet for life – significant symptom improvement for
D
even cross contamination with ~50-80% of those with IBS. FODMAPs are
traces of gluten can trigger M
types of carbohydrates that are either
symptoms and intestinal damage. poorly absorbed in the intestine, or that
A
ferment in the gut, leading to digestive P
How Diet Plays a Role S
distress.

Those with IBS following a low FODMAP diet must drastically reduce their intake of wheat,
barley and rye due to a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides. Because of this, some,
but not all gluten free foods are low in FODMAPs.

Studies show that celiacs with persistent gut symptoms, despite adherence to a gluten
free diet, may benefit from the low FODMAP diet. If you struggle with ongoing
symptoms, speak to your GI or registered dietitian to see if this is an option for you.

This infographic was made possible due to an unrestricted educational grant from Dr. Schar.