New Fiber Supplement Improves Gut Health for IBS Patients Without Increasing Symptoms
- Researchers at Edith Cowan University developed a targeted fiber supplement called ur gut® to support gut bacteria in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
- Clinical trial results published in the European Journal of Nutrition show the supplement improved gut microbiota and reduced gut-related anxiety without worsening abdominal pain or bloating.
- The formulation combines resistant starch and psyllium husk, which researchers believe slows fermentation to prevent excess gas production.
Irritable bowel syndrome affects nearly 11 percent of Australians and millions of people globally, causing chronic abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Medical management often relies on a low-FODMAP diet that restricts specific fermentable carbohydrates. While this dietary restriction helps control acute gastrointestinal distress, it frequently reduces beneficial gut bacteria and lowers overall fiber intake over time.
To address this clinical dilemma, researchers at Edith Cowan University’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute designed a specialized dietary supplement. The peer-reviewed study, titled “Dietary fibre blend improves gut health in patients with irritable bowel syndrome following a low FODMAP diet: a randomised, double-blind control trial,” was published online in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Targeting the gut microbiome safely
The newly tested supplement, branded as ur gut®, combines high-amylose maize resistant starch with psyllium husk powder. Investigators observed that psyllium appears to slow the bacterial breakdown of resistant starch, allowing the fiber to reach deeper sections of the colon before fermentation occurs. This mechanism prevents the rapid gas production and subsequent discomfort typically triggered by fermentable fibers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
“For years we’ve known that a diet low in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monesaccharides and Polyols can relieve symptoms, but they can also reduce beneficial gut bacteria and negatively impact fiber intake over time,” Dr. Tina Yan said, explaining the rationale behind the investigation.
“We wanted to find a way to build better gut health while following a low-FODMAP diet,” Yan added.
Fiber intervention improves gut microbiota and reduces anxiety
During the randomized, double-blind controlled trial, participants maintained stable digestive symptoms while showing meaningful shifts in their gut microbiota composition. Alongside these microbial changes, patients experienced measurable reductions in gut-related anxiety, pointing to a potential gut-brain axis benefit from the targeted fiber intervention.
“Traditionally, fermentable fibers can be difficult for people with IBS because they can increase gas production and discomfort,” Yan said. “What’s exciting about this study is that participants maintained stable symptoms while showing meaningful improvements in their gut microbiota as well as in their gut-related anxiety.”
Co-creator Professor Amanda Devine noted the unusual speed of the microbial adaptation observed during the trial. “Changes of this magnitude are rarely seen with such a short intervention,” Devine said. “The study demonstrated that our targeted dietary fiber blend positively reshaped the gut microbiome in people with IBS following a low-FODMAP diet, supporting beneficial bacteria linked to gut and mental health. This was great to see.”
Future shifts in dietary care
While the exact pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome remains unclear—with stress, infections, and certain medications contributing alongside triggers like inadequate sleep, hormonal changes, and lifestyle factors—the research points toward a proactive model of care.
“For many people with IBS, success has traditionally meant simply avoiding certain foods,” Associate Professor Claus Christophersen said. “Our findings suggest we may also be able to actively rebuild gut health and the microbiome while not making IBS symptoms worse. That’s an important step forward.”
The ur gut® supplement is currently available for purchase alongside a companion cookbook designed to help patients integrate the fiber blend into a low-FODMAP diet.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.