Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Approaches

April 2023

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is challenging to study because of its varied, nonspecific symptoms, episodic nature, and the lack of confirmatory diagnostic testing. Although there is emerging evidence suggesting that some complementary health practices may be used for treating IBS, most of the studies have methodological flaws. Systematic reviews evaluating complementary modalities for IBS symptoms have concluded that few large, well-designed studies exist, and further research is required to determine whether complementary or integrative health practices are effective for treating IBS.

This issue of the digest summarizes the current research on commonly used complementary health approaches for managing symptoms of IBS.

What the Science Says: 
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Approaches

Modality and Summary of Current Research

  • Probiotics and Prebiotics

  • Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy

  • Peppermint Oil

  • Herbal Remedies

  • Acupuncture

  • Yoga

  • Meditation and Mindfulness

  • Relaxation Therapy

There is limited evidence that suggests some probiotics may improve symptoms of IBS; however, benefits have not been conclusively demonstrated, and not all probiotics have the same effects. Clinical guidelines issued in 2021 by the American College of Gastroenterology recommend against the use of probiotics for the treatment of global IBS symptoms. (The recommendation is conditional, with “very low level of evidence.”)

Prebiotics are specialized plant fibers that beneficially nourish the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon. They are a nondigestible food ingredient, are not affected by heat, cold, acid, or time, and provide a wide range of health benefits. There has been increasing interest in prebiotics because they may reduce the risk for certain conditions and help improve health. However, the quality of evidence examining the effect of prebiotics in IBS is poor and more well-designed, long-term clinical trials are needed to support health claims.

Read more about probiotics and prebiotics for IBS

Clinical Guidelines

Scientific Literature

Information for Your Patients

NCCIH Clinical Digest is a service of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH, DHHS. NCCIH Clinical Digest, a monthly e-newsletter, offers evidence-based information on complementary health approaches, including scientific literature searches, summaries of NCCIH-funded research, fact sheets for patients, and more.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is dedicated to exploring complementary health products and practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary health researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCIH’s Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-888-644-6226, or visit the NCCIH website at nccih.nih.gov. NCCIH is 1 of 27 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health, the Federal focal point for medical research in the United States.

Copyright

Content is in the public domain and may be reprinted, except if marked as copyrighted (©). Please credit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health as the source. All copyrighted material is the property of its respective owners and may not be reprinted without their permission.

Maria Sempe