According to Rene Bijkerk in his doctoral dissertation, patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) should consume more soluble fiber.
Adding soluble fiber (psyllium) to the diet is an effective way to prevent symptoms of IBS, while insoluble fibers (wheat bran) can result in even more complaints. Bijkerk studied the effects and side effects on symptoms of soluble and insoluble fiber in IBS patients receiving care from general practitioners. The study involved 275 patients distributed over three groups: one group received extra soluble fiber (psyllium) for 12 weeks, another was given extra insoluble fiber (wheat bran), and a third was given no extra fiber (placebo).
Patients who consumed extra soluble fiber had less abdominal pain and discomfort than the patients who took a placebo instead of extra fiber; the IBS symptoms were also less severe. There was no difference between the placebo group and the group that had received insoluble fiber. This is the first time a study has been made of the value of dietary fiber in treating IBS in general practice.
Rene Bijkerk will receive his PhD from Utrecht University on February 26. The title of his dissertation is “Irritable bowel syndrome in primary care.”