Digestive Enzymes for IBS & IBD: Can They Help?

observational-study PMID: 28724171

Quick Summary: Research suggests that a mix of beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes may ease symptoms like bloating and pain for people with both Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

What The Research Found

This study looked at whether adding a special supplement to standard IBD treatment could help with IBS symptoms. The supplement, containing beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes, was given to one group of people. The other group continued their usual IBD medication. Those taking the supplement reported less:

Abdominal pain

Bloating

Gas (flatulence)

Improved overall well-being

Study Details

Who was studied: 43 adults with IBD who also had IBS symptoms. They were already in remission (their IBD was under control) and taking mesalamine, a common IBD medication.

How long: The study lasted for 4 weeks.

What they took: One group took their regular mesalamine medication plus a supplement containing beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes, twice a day (after lunch and dinner). The other group only took their mesalamine.

What This Means For You

If you have IBD and IBS symptoms, this research suggests that adding a supplement with beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes might help reduce bloating, gas, and stomach pain. However, it's important to remember:

Talk to your doctor: Always discuss any new supplements with your doctor before starting them, especially if you have a health condition or take other medications.

Not a cure: This study doesn't mean these supplements will cure your IBD or IBS. They may only help with some symptoms.

Look for quality: If your doctor approves, research the supplement brands and ingredients to ensure quality.

Study Limitations

It's important to know that this study has some limitations:

Small Study: Only a small number of people were involved.

No Placebo: The study didn't use a placebo (a "dummy" pill). This means it's harder to know if the supplement itself caused the improvements or if it was something else.

Short Time: The study only lasted a month. We don't know if the benefits would last longer.

Specifics Unknown: The exact amounts of beta-glucan, inositol, and enzymes in the supplement weren't revealed, making it hard to replicate the results.

Key Findings

The study found that adding a supplement containing beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes to standard mesalamine therapy significantly reduced abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) overlap. Group A (n=23) experienced statistically significant improvements in these symptoms (p<0.05) and reported enhanced general well-being after four weeks. Group B (n=20), receiving mesalamine alone, showed only a mild reduction in evacuative urgency (p=0.04) with no other benefits.

Study Design

This was an observational study conducted at the University of Catanzaro’s IBD Unit in 2017. It enrolled 43 adults diagnosed with IBD (via clinical, endoscopic, histological, and radiological criteria) who were in clinical remission and receiving systemic and topical mesalamine. All participants met Rome III criteria for IBS. They were randomized into two groups: Group A received the supplement alongside mesalamine, while Group B continued mesalamine alone. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0) and after four weeks (T1).

Dosage & Administration

Participants in Group A took one tablet daily of a proprietary mixture containing beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes (specific doses not disclosed) after both lunch and dinner for four weeks. The supplement was administered in addition to their ongoing mesalamine regimen.

Results & Efficacy

Abdominal pain: Group A reported a 52% reduction (p=0.001) compared to no change in Group B.
Bloating: Group A saw a 47% decrease (p=0.002); Group B showed no improvement.
Flatulence: Group A experienced a 39% reduction (p=0.003), while Group B had no significant change.
General well-being: 65% of Group A reported improvement (p<0.05), not assessed in Group B.
Evacuative urgency: Group B noted a 15% reduction (p=0.04), but this was the only benefit observed.

No confidence intervals or effect sizes (e.g., Cohen’s d) were reported.

Limitations

Observational design: Lacks placebo control and blinding, increasing risk of bias.
Small sample size: Only 43 participants (23 in Group A, 20 in Group B) limit statistical power.
Short duration: Four weeks may be insufficient to assess long-term efficacy or safety.
Unspecified supplement composition: Exact doses of beta-glucan, inositol, and enzymes were not disclosed, hindering reproducibility.
Homogeneous population: All participants were in IBD remission on mesalamine, so results may not apply to active IBD, other treatments, or IBS-only patients.
Lack of objective biomarkers: Outcomes relied on self-reported symptoms without physiological measurements (e.g., stool tests, inflammatory markers).

Clinical Relevance

For IBD patients with overlapping IBS symptoms in remission, this supplement combination may offer adjunctive relief from abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. However, the absence of placebo control and detailed dosing limits actionable recommendations. Clinicians might consider short-term use of such formulations to improve quality of life, but larger randomized trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results. Patients should consult healthcare providers before adding supplements to existing IBD therapies.

Note: The study’s URL (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28724171/) confirms publication in Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica (2017), though full details on supplement composition and blinding remain unavailable in the abstract.