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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Fiber supplements — especially psyllium — may offer real relief for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A meta-analysis of 30 randomized controlled trials found that 52% of IBS patients on fiber supplementation achieved a clinical response, compared to 44% on placebo. Psyllium stood out as the most effective fiber type, supporting its continued use as a first-line IBS therapy.
Fiber supplements have long been a go-to recommendation for IBS, and a new meta-analysis published in Gastroenterology gives that advice some solid scientific backing. Researchers from Monash University analyzed 30 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 1,900 adults with IBS and found that fiber supplementation meaningfully outperformed placebo in achieving clinical response — with psyllium emerging as the clear frontrunner.
While the overall benefit was modest, psyllium showed a 53% greater likelihood of clinical response compared to control. Beta-galacto-oligosaccharides also improved overall GI symptoms. Notably, fiber in powder or granule form and doses ≤10 g/day were associated with better outcomes. On the flip side, wheat bran showed no significant benefit, and fiber supplementation had no meaningful effect on bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, or quality of life.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: For clinicians managing IBS, this meta-analysis reinforces psyllium as the preferred fiber supplement for first-line therapy — offering a safe, accessible, and evidence-backed option for a condition that affects millions worldwide.
