Dietary Supplements for Irritable Bowel Syndrome | NCCIH

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: In Depth | NCCIH

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: In Depth

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.

Several types of dietary supplements have been investigated for IBS.

• Probiotics (live microorganisms that may have health benefits) may improve overall IBS symptoms and abdominal pain, but it’s uncertain which species, strains, or combinations of probiotics are most likely to be helpful.
  
• Peppermint oil capsules may be modestly helpful in reducing several common symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain and bloating.
  
• A variety of Chinese herbs have been investigated for IBS, but no conclusions can be drawn about their effects because of the poor quality of many of the studies.

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