What the Science Says About the Effectiveness of Complementary Health Approaches for IBS

What Is IBS?
IBS is a chronic disorder that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.
As many as one in five Americans have symptoms of IBS. The cause of IBS isn’t well understood but stress, large meals, certain foods, and alcohol may trigger symptoms in people with this disorder.

About Dietary Supplements for IBS
Some evidence is emerging that a few complementary health approaches may be helpful for IBS.

Probiotics

Generally, probiotics improve IBS symptoms, bloating, and flatulence, the American College of Gastroenterology stated in a 2014 paper. However, it noted that the quality of existing studies is limited. It’s not possible to draw firm conclusions about specific probiotics for IBS in part because studies have used different species, strains, preparations, and doses.

Full Text Sources
NIH