Probiotics, Vitamins, and Supplements for IBS: What Works?

Written by Jon Cooper

• Fiber
• Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics
• Guar Gum
• Peppermint Oil
• More Study Needed

There’s no cure for IBS, but along with a healthy diet, nutritional supplements may help ease your symptoms.

But while most supplements aren’t harmful, some may not be right for you if you have another health condition. You could also have side effects.

Talk with your doctor before trying any of the ones below.

It’s the first line of defense against the symptoms of IBS, especially constipation. The best way to get it is naturally, like through whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Over-the-counter supplements that dissolve in water (called soluble fiber) may help if you have a hard time getting it in your diet. Be sure to drink lots of water while you take them.

Too much fiber can sometimes make cramping and gas worse. If your symptoms don’t get better, talk to your doctor. They may recommend a dietitian who can give you a meal plan that can help you.

Probiotics are “good” bacteria that may ease the belly pain and gas you get with IBS. There aren’t specific recommendations on how much you should take, which kinds, or how often. Studies have shown there is a potential for benefit, but more research is needed.

You can take supplements as capsules or sprinkle them as a powder on food. You also can get probiotics naturally in foods like yogurt, aged cheeses, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh.

Prebiotics: These sugars serve as food for “good” bacteria and can help them grow. There’s not a lot of research on these supplements and how they can help with IBS, but they’re not harmful for most people. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of prebiotics, especially bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and artichokes, plus soybeans and whole wheat foods.

Synbiotics: These are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. Early studies show these might help people with IBS. But doctors need more research to learn if and how they should be recommended.

This soluble fiber supplement may boost the number of good bacteria in your intestines. Research shows it may also ease constipation and diarrhea and help with belly pain.

People in some studies said taking it gave them a better quality of life.

This supplement traces its roots as far back as ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Though it’s been used for tension headaches, it’s most common use now is to help with IBS.

It can ease pain caused by inflammation. There’s no standard recommendation for how much to take or for how long, but some studies have shown that one or two capsules of enteric-coated peppermint oil three times a day for 6 months can help with constipation, diarrhea, and other issues.

You can take it in many forms, like capsules or a liquid. You can put it in drinks like tea.

Many other supplements have a connection to IBS. For example, some people find that chamomile or blond psyllium helps with their symptoms. Certain combinations of Chinese herbs could ease IBS pain for others.

But there’s not enough research related to IBS on those, or on any of the following, for doctors to recommend them:

• Digestive enzymes
• Omega-3 (fish oil)
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Slippery elm
• Arrowroot
• Cinnamon bark
• Coriander
• Lemon balm

Top Picks

Probiotics, Vitamins, and Supplements for IBS: What Works?

Written by Jon Cooper

• Fiber
• Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics
• Guar Gum
• Peppermint Oil
• More Study Needed

There’s no cure for IBS, but along with a healthy diet, nutritional supplements may help ease your symptoms.

But while most supplements aren’t harmful, some may not be right for you if you have another health condition. You could also have side effects.

Talk with your doctor before trying any of the ones below.

It’s the first line of defense against the symptoms of IBS, especially constipation. The best way to get it is naturally, like through whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Over-the-counter supplements that dissolve in water (called soluble fiber) may help if you have a hard time getting it in your diet. Be sure to drink lots of water while you take them.

Too much fiber can sometimes make cramping and gas worse. If your symptoms don’t get better, talk to your doctor. They may recommend a dietitian who can give you a meal plan that can help you.

Probiotics are “good” bacteria that may ease the belly pain and gas you get with IBS. There aren’t specific recommendations on how much you should take, which kinds, or how often. Studies have shown there is a potential for benefit, but more research is needed.

You can take supplements as capsules or sprinkle them as a powder on food. You also can get probiotics naturally in foods like yogurt, aged cheeses, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh.

Prebiotics: These sugars serve as food for “good” bacteria and can help them grow. There’s not a lot of research on these supplements and how they can help with IBS, but they’re not harmful for most people. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of prebiotics, especially bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and artichokes, plus soybeans and whole wheat foods.

Synbiotics: These are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. Early studies show these might help people with IBS. But doctors need more research to learn if and how they should be recommended.

This soluble fiber supplement may boost the number of good bacteria in your intestines. Research shows it may also ease constipation and diarrhea and help with belly pain.

People in some studies said taking it gave them a better quality of life.

This supplement traces its roots as far back as ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Though it’s been used for tension headaches, it’s most common use now is to help with IBS.

It can ease pain caused by inflammation. There’s no standard recommendation for how much to take or for how long, but some studies have shown that one or two capsules of enteric-coated peppermint oil three times a day for 6 months can help with constipation, diarrhea, and other issues.

You can take it in many forms, like capsules or a liquid. You can put it in drinks like tea.

Many other supplements have a connection to IBS. For example, some people find that chamomile or blond psyllium helps with their symptoms. Certain combinations of Chinese herbs could ease IBS pain for others.

But there’s not enough research related to IBS on those, or on any of the following, for doctors to recommend them:

• Digestive enzymes
• Omega-3 (fish oil)
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Slippery elm
• Arrowroot
• Cinnamon bark
• Coriander
• Lemon balm

Top Picks

The risk of developing coronary artery disease and calcium supplements – is there a connection?

News

New data from Australian investigators indicate that calcium supplementation has no effect on the risk of CHD and early death. A new analysis published in the Journal of the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases provides evidence that in older women, calcium supplementation with or without vitamin D does not increase the risk of coronary heart disease and mortality for a variety of reasons. These results were obtained through an analysis of 18 clinical reports and data from more than 63,500 older women.

The findings of the new study contradict the results of the previous meta-analysis from 2010. It was then found that taking calcium supplements (without vitamin D) was accompanied by a significant increase in the risk of myocardial infarction. In the same document, calcium intake was associated with a relative increase (by 31%) in the risk of myocardial infarction.

In the background to the study, the scientists explain that calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health. These supplements are widely used by older adults who need to maintain the recommended daily intake of calcium. Until recently, calcium supplements were thought to have relatively few side effects.

Research conducted in 2010 was quite controversial. The findings have been criticized because they included self-reported clinical studies, a very large number of men in the supplementation group, lack of standardization of risk factors, and no biological mechanism to explain the associations. However, the US Department of Health recommends a daily intake of calcium for older women: 1,000 mg before age 50 and 1,200 mg after age 50.

The new review focuses on women as the majority of participants in clinical trials are women. The review included 63,564 women taking calcium supplements with or without vitamin D supplements. A total of 3,390 cases of coronary heart disease and 4,157 deaths were recorded due to various causes. All cases were supported by clinical assessments, hospital medical records, or death certificates. Five studies focused on cases of coronary heart disease: the relative risk of developing coronary artery disease in those who took calcium supplements was 1. 02. In 17 studies with mortality data, the relative risk was 0.96. In both studies, the results were not statistically significant.

Despite the findings, the researchers are calling for a larger clinical study of the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in order to properly assess the effects on bones and blood vessels. Only then can the risk or benefit profile of calcium supplementation be more accurately determined.



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Director of the USUE Unified Laboratory Complex Natalya Kolberg spoke about harmful food additives food additives. The list is published in Consumer Reports and is the result of a thorough review of the literature and the expert work of clinicians.

– Natalia Aleksandrovna, could you explain how popular supplements are?

– Food and herbal supplements are often used by patients. According to studies, they are taken by approximately 50% of the adult population of developed countries. Most dietary supplements are vitamins and minerals, as well as muscle building and weight loss products. However, herbal products are also very popular.

The topic of drug-induced liver damage has been actively discussed recently. Thus, 20% of cases of drug-induced hepatotoxicity occur in food supplements, while in South Korea and Singapore this figure reaches 70%.

In May, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the US National Institutes of Health hosted a conference on drug-induced liver injury. It presented data on the most hepatotoxic food additives.

– How do anabolic steroids and weight loss supplements affect the body?

– Anabolic steroids are one of the main causes of hepatotoxicity. It should be noted that most bodybuilding supplements contain anabolic hormones that can induce cholestatic liver damage. In most patients, bilirubin levels can reach 40-50 mg/dL, but chronic liver damage and death are not typical. Weight loss supplements have also been associated with liver damage, in this case hepatocellular damage. For example, aegelin, an alkaloid from the aegle jujube fruit, has been used for many years for gastrointestinal problems and for weight loss. However, studies show that this substance can cause serious liver damage, including the need for an emergency liver transplant.

– How safe are green tea extracts?

– Green tea extracts from Camellia sinensis are often used for weight loss. However, the safety of the extract raises many questions. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the substance can cause idiosyncratic hepatocellular damage, which usually develops 3 months after the start of use. Approximately 10% of cases of liver damage are fatal. In this regard, in some countries (for example, Spain, France), weight loss products containing green tea extract have been banned from sale.

– Continuing the topic of weight loss, how do carbonated drinks and fruit juices affect the body?

– The epidemic of obesity and diabetes is a sad trend of our time. Efforts in many countries around the world are aimed at reducing carbohydrates in the diet due to the increased risk of developing chronic diseases and mortality in people who consume large amounts of sugar daily. The researchers assessed the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease (CHD). The REGARDS study included 17 930 people aged 45 and over. These were individuals without a history of stroke, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes. The study participants assessed their sugar intake in grams using a questionnaire.

The median follow-up was 6.9 years, during which 1465 individuals died, 279 of whom died due to CAD.

Study participants were divided into quartiles for consumption of sugary drinks (fruit juices, sodas, fruit-flavored drinks).

The analysis showed that the risk of developing coronary artery disease was significantly higher in people who consumed 566 g of sugar-sweetened drinks, compared with those who consumed 22 g, risk ratio (HR), 2.0; 95% CI, 1.12 – 3.54). The risk of death from all causes was also higher in those in the high sugary drink group (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.99 – 1.52).

Interestingly, high dietary sugar intake (578 g) found in desserts, sweets, and sweetened breakfast foods did not result in a statistically significant increase in mortality compared with those who consumed low amounts of sugar (348 g).

– Why is sugar in sugary drinks so bad?

– Researchers note that we compensate less for calories from sugary drinks than from food. This means that we eat the same amount as if we were not drinking fruit juices and carbonated drinks. This leads to excess sugar consumption.

In addition, the metabolism of sugar obtained from food is slower than from sugar-sweetened drinks, since the products contain many more ingredients (dietary fiber, fat, protein).

List of nutritional supplements

• Aconite – associated with the development of nausea, vomiting, weakness, paralysis, respiratory and palpitations, and possibly even death.
• Caffeine powder. The use of the supplement can cause seizures, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and death. Side effects are most pronounced when combined with other stimulants.
• Chaparral – May cause kidney problems, liver damage and possibly death.
• Coltsfoot – Associated with possible liver damage and may be a carcinogen.
• Comfrey – Increases risk of liver damage and cancer, possibly associated with death.
• Dubrovnik – associated with the development of liver damage, including the development of hepatitis.
• Celandine – May cause liver damage.
• Green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) – dizziness, tinnitus, iron malabsorption, anemia, increased heart rate and blood pressure, liver damage, possibly death.