Robert J. Shulman, MD, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and one of the study’s authors, and colleagues conducted a randomized, double blind clinical trial in children between the ages of 7 and 18 years with IBS to evaluate whether psyllium fiber helped reduce abdominal pain. During the six-week period, children either took the psyllium fiber or a placebo. The researchers collected data on the children’s stool patterns, gut barrier function, gut bacteria composition and breath hydrogen levels.
Here are five points:
1. The researchers found the children who took the psyllium fiber had fewer pain episodes than those who received the placebo.
2. The researchers found that psychological characteristics did not have any influence on whether children responded to the fiber.
3. The fiber had no effect on breath hydrogen levels, gut barrier function measurements or gut bacteria composition.
4. The proportion of normal stools was the same among both groups.
5. Dr. Shulman noted because psyllium fiber did not have an effect on these other factors, it’s not entirely clear how the fiber works in helping reduce pain.
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