4 supplements and OTC remedies that help treat IBS, backed by science
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“Studies have shown the most effective one is a psyllium powder or psyllium husk.” — Ashkan Farhadi, MD
“Peppermint oil… it's really good for cramps. It's really good for sense of urgency. It's really working for those who have to rush to the bathroom after meals.” — Ashkan Farhadi, MD
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States, and approximately 20% to 40% of all visits to gastroenterologists are due to IBS symptoms. []
But what should you recommend if patients with IBS ask about supplements? Research suggests that some supplements may play a role in managing IBS. [] Here are the four best options that may assist with IBS symptoms, backed by science.
It's IBS Awareness Month. Read all our latest coverage:
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has been used to treat digestive disorders since the days of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. []
Research suggests that peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules may improve IBS symptoms in adults.
“There are many forms of peppermint; it doesn't have to be oil. It could be the extract … [In] some places, they sell [peppermint oil] in a form of capsule,” says Ashkan Farhadi, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Medical Group in Orange County, CA, and the author of “The Rhymes of Happiness: Weaving Science, Art and Poetry in the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Peppermint oil is “really good for cramps. It's really good for [a] sense of urgency. It's really working for those who have to rush to the bathroom after meals,” Dr. Farhadi adds.
Vitamin D
For people with IBS who also have vitamin D deficiency, supplementing vitamin D may be beneficial.
“Vitamin D deficiency can activate the system in the gut and cause some issues. But if your vitamin D is OK, obviously you don't need vitamin D,” Dr. Farhadi says.
Research suggests that many people with IBS have vitamin D deficiency, and that vitamin D supplementation may improve quality of life in these patients. []
Related: The vitamin that affects mood—and may help with depressionIberogast
Iberogast is an herbal medicinal product—available over-the-counter—that claims to help with abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence. []
“It's alternative medicine. [The manufacturers] claim it's a natural remedy. We really don't know what's in it, but there are studies that show[s] it helps with symptoms in IBS patients,” Dr. Farhadi says.
Research has found that iberogast can improve abdominal pain in people with IBS and improve colonic gas tolerance IBS patients with bloating. []
Fiber
Fiber supplements may benefit some individuals with IBS.
“Some of them [fiber supplements] are synthetic [and] some of them are natural ... Studies have shown the most effective one is a psyllium powder or psyllium husk. Basically, psyllium is a husk of a plant that is very helpful,” Dr. Farhadi says.
Psyllium seed husks work by absorbing water in the stomach and forming a large mass that stimulates the bowel in individuals with constipation. [] It can also be helpful in people with diarrhea, as it slows the bowel and reduces bowel movements.
Related: High fiber diet can prevent these fatal diseases