Fecal Metabolome and the Intestinal Microbiota in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with IBS, ages 18-65 fulfilling Rome IV criteria and asymptomatic controls with no prior history of GI disease or symptoms. * Participants should be on a stable and consistent diet regimen and should not be following an extreme diet intervention such as gluten-free or a low FODMAP diet at the time of study participation. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with microscopic/lymphocytic/collagenous colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, visceral cancer, chronic infectious disease, immunodeficiency, uncontrolled thyroid disease, history of liver disease or history of elevated AST/ALT \> 2.0x the upper limit of normal * Prior radiation therapy of the abdomen or abdominal surgeries with the exception of appendectomy or cholecystectomy \> 6 months prior to study initiation * Ingestion of any prescription, over the counter, or herbal medications which can affect GI transit or study interpretation (e.g. opioids, narcotics, anticholinergics, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, COX-2 inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants) within 6 months of study initiation for asymptomatic volunteers or within 2 days before study initiation for IBS patients * Any females who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding * Antibiotic usage within 3 months prior to study participation * Prebiotic or probiotic usage within the 2 weeks prior to study initiation * Use of tobacco products within the past 6 months.