A specially designed fiber supplement could offer a promising new way to improve the gut health of millions of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have developed and tested a fiber combination that supports beneficial gut bacteria without aggravating common digestive symptoms.
The research team from ECU’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute (NHIRI) found that the supplement, called ur gut®, improved the gut health of people with IBS without increasing abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
IBS affects people all over the world, including almost 11% of Australians. Although its exact cause remains unclear, stress, infections and certain medications can contribute to this condition. Symptoms may also worsen due to particular foods, insufficient sleep, psychological stress, hormonal changes and lifestyle factors.
Why Common IBS Diets May Affect Gut Health
People with IBS are frequently advised to follow a low-FODMAP diet, which limits certain carbohydrates that are easily fermented by gut bacteria. While this approach can help control uncomfortable symptoms, restricting these foods can also have unintended consequences on the gut microbiome.
“For years, we have known that a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monesaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) can relieve symptoms, but it can also reduce beneficial gut bacteria and negatively impact fiber intake over time,” said lead author Dr. Tina Yan.
“We wanted to find a way to improve gut health while following a low FODMAP diet.”
The new findings suggest that a carefully formulated fiber supplement could help address this problem, allowing people with IBS to maintain a healthier gut microbiome while continuing to manage their symptoms through dietary changes.
How the new fiber blend works
Researchers attribute the supplement’s promising effects to its combination of two ingredients: resistant starch and psyllium husk.
Psyllium appears to slow the breakdown of resistant starch by gut bacteria, allowing more starch to reach deeper sections of the colon before fermentation occurs. This process can increase the production of beneficial compounds that support gut health.
Usually, fermentable fiber can be difficult for people with IBS because bacterial fermentation can produce excess gas and increase digestive discomfort. The new formulation appears to offer a way to get the benefits of fermentation without making these symptoms worse.
“Traditionally, fermentable fiber can be difficult for people with IBS because it can increase gas production and discomfort,” Dr. Yan said.
“What’s exciting about this study is that participants maintained stable symptoms while showing significant improvements in their gut microbiota as well as their gut-related anxiety.”
Significant Changes in Gut Bacteria and Anxiety
The researchers observed substantial changes in the composition of participants’ gut bacteria during the intervention. These changes were particularly notable because they occurred over a relatively short period of time.
“Changes of this magnitude are rarely seen with such a short intervention,” said Professor Amanda Devine, co-creator of ur gut®.
“The study demonstrated that our targeted blend of dietary fiber positively reshaped the gut microbiome in people with IBS following a low FODMAP diet, supporting beneficial bacteria linked to the gut and mental health. This was great to see.”
Along with the improvement in gut bacteria, participants also saw a reduction in gut-related anxiety. These findings suggest that the supplement’s potential benefits could extend beyond changes in the digestive system, although further research will be needed to establish its broader effects.
A new approach to managing irritable bowel syndrome
The researchers believe their findings could help redirect IBS care toward improving underlying gut health rather than focusing exclusively on avoiding foods that cause discomfort.
“For many people with IBS, success traditionally meant simply avoiding certain foods,” said Associate Professor Claus Christophersen, co-creator of ur gut®.
“Our results suggest that we may also be able to actively rebuild gut health and the microbiome without worsening IBS symptoms. This is an important step forward.”
By demonstrating that beneficial gut bacteria can be supported without increasing IBS symptoms, the study points to new dietary strategies that could complement existing treatments.
The ur gut® supplement is already available for purchase. The research team also created a cookbook featuring recipes designed to help people incorporate the supplement into a healthy diet.
The study, “A dietary fiber blend improves gut health in patients with irritable bowel syndrome following a low-FODMAP diet: a double-blind randomized controlled trial,” was published online in the European Journal of Nutrition.
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