Have any supplements been studied for IBS-D?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Few supplements have been studied for IBS-D specifically, but enteric-coated peppermint oil can reduce abdominal pain and certain probiotic strains are effective for multi-symptom relief.[1][2]

    In a 16-week placebo controlled trial (including an 8-week double-blind phase followed by an 8-week open label phase), polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate — an over-the-counter intestinal absorbent — improved abdominal pain, stool consistency, and the frequency and urgency of bowel movements in IBS-D.[3]

    References

    1. ^Alammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, Nanavati J, Holtmann G, Shinohara RT, Mullin GEThe impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical dataBMC Complement Altern Med.(2019 Jan 17)
    2. ^Ford AC, Harris LA, Lacy BE, Quigley EMM, Moayyedi PSystematic review with meta-analysis: the efficacy of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and antibiotics in irritable bowel syndromeAliment Pharmacol Ther.(2018 Nov)
    3. ^Howell CA, Kemppinen A, Allgar V, Dodd M, Knowles CH, McLaughlin J, Pandya P, Whorwell P, Markaryan E, Yiannakou YDouble-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D).Gut.(2022-Dec)