Psyllium Decreases Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Bijkerk CJ, de Wit NJ, Muris JW, et al. Soluble or insoluble fibre in irritable bowel syndrome in primary care? Randomised placebo controlled trial. BMJ 2009; 339:b3154

This randomized controlled trial examines the effectiveness of increasing the dietary content of soluble fiber (psyllium) or insoluble fiber (bran) in patients with IBS. 275 patients aged 18-65 years received 12 weeks of treatment with either 10 grams of psyllium, 10 grams of bran, or 10 grams of a placebo (rice flour). Symptom severity decreased the most in the psyllium group (by 90 points), compared with the placebo group (49 points) and the bran group (58 points) after three months. Results indicate that bran worsens symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome while psyllium offers benefits.