Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS Supplements

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS Supplements

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is referred to as a "syndrome" because it is diagnosed by a symptom cluster rather than a specific medical cause. It is generally believed that the causes of IBS may in fact differ from person to person and often have multiple causes. The most common complaints associated with IBS are mucous in the stools, alternating constipation and diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping (not associated with PMS), bloating and nausea. Many causative factors have been identified for this condition that affects around 14% of the global population, some of which are food allergies and intolerances, emotional stress and pharmaceutical side-effects. A process of elimination with the assistance of your healthcare practitioner is the best option for understanding the cause of your IBS.

Many natural supplements are helpful for the management of IBS, including probiotics, prebiotics, mucosal healing agents and natural anti-inflammatorys. Another cause of IBS may be overgrowth of intestinal pathogenic bacteria and a lack of beneficial cultures or probiotics. Though research into the gut microbiome is in its infancy, evidence is so far looking convincing. A review paper published in 2005 by Phytomedicine indicates that for non-serious constipation or diarrhoea cases of IBS, the first supplement of choice was peppermint oil. Interestingly, this natural substance out-performed everything tested at that time. 

Be sure to take your time in examining our IBS supplement range to find the product that suits your needs. You may find it advatageous to eliminate problematic foods and emotional stressors, and generally maintain a healthy active lifestyle. According to a paper published by the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Journal in 2019, either a low fructose, low lactose or low FODMAP diet may prove effective. However, the only way to truly know which one will suit you best, if any at all, is to experiment for at least 3 months with a new eating pattern.

Many of the symptoms may be addressed individually with natural supplements, however the causes for your specific IBS do warrant further investigation. For instance, nausea can commonly be managed with ginger or slippery elm powder, while bloating is often improved with digestive enzyme supplements or fresh lemon juice after meals.