6 Natural Remedies for IBS That May Work for You p2

2/ Prebiotics:

Only a few studies have been done on prebiotics nondigestable carbohydrates that feed the good bacteria in your gut with conflicting results, the new review notes. (The same goes for synbiotics, which are combination products that contain both pre- and probiotics.)

There’s not enough evidence to say how well they really relieve IBS symptoms, says Dr. Saito-Loftus. But there’s little harm besides the price tag of the supplement if patients want to try them, she adds. Prebiotics are also in healthy foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and raw asparagus, as well, and eating them can be a win-win.

"With prebiotics, patients aren’t consuming live bacteria, so I like that it’s more of an indirect way of trying to manipulate your microflora" she says. "They’re certainly reasonable to try, but there’s not a lot of background to form conclusions either way"

3/ Fiber:

Getting more fiber, either through food or supplements, does seem to improve some cases of IBS, says Dr. Saito-Loftus. The new review cites several studies on different types of fiber including psyllium, wheat bran, and calcium polycarbophil that had promising results in earlier studies.

"I definitely am a big advocate of at least trying fiber as a remedy, particularly for my patients with constipation-predominant IBS" says Dr. Saito-Loftus. She’s a bit more cautious for those who have a lot of bloating, gassiness, or diarrhea, since fiber can make these symptoms worse.

Foods high in fiber such as beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are typically low-calorie and full of vitamins and other nutrients, so Dr. Saito-Loftus recommends incorporating them into your diet if you can. But if getting all your fiber from food is too difficult, taking a regular supplement can help make up for what’s missing.

"I do caution my patients that fiber doesn’t work for everybody" she says. "But if you find that after transitioning to a high-fiber diet that you aren’t feeling better, at least you can say you tried"