Children's Health: Is Psyllium Fiber Ideal For Kids Suffering From IBS?

Psyllium Fiber Psyllium ARS Children's Nutrition Research Cente Robert Shulman

By Abbie Kraft , Parent Herald Apr 19, 06:05 am

Recent studies reveal one of the most effective fibers to consume in relieving IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) in kids. The gluten-free fiber is known as the Psyllium fiber.

Psyllium fiber is said to be one of the most useful IBS relief for kids. The fiber comes from the outer coating of the psyllium plant seed. It is similar to oats and barley, but the soluble fiber found in psyllium is five times higher than those found in barn and oats as per Konsyl Pharmaceuticals.

A contained study published by Autism Speaks mentioned the importance of psyllium fiber in terms of dealing with constipation among children who would constantly suffer from constipation. Psyllium fiber is being used to alleviate the symptoms of long-term constipation among kids and individuals diagnosed with ASD.

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The research done by the ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center was published in clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. It was mentioned that psyllium fiber absorbs the liquid in the intestines which aids the stool to smoothly flow. The wheat-free fiber is proven to decrease pain in eliminating bowels for individuals struggling with IBS.

"This appears to be a potentially beneficial treatment for some kids with IBS," Dr. Robert Shulman said. "But more research is needed to understand how it works, to see if there are ways that we can make it more effective, and to identify which kids might be the most responsive to that treatment. What we predicted might have a relationship to its beneficial effects on pain did not turn out."

The study tested kids wherein it was revealed that the group that was given psyllium fiber suffered less pain compared to the ones that were not able to consume it. The researchers gave out an unbiased conclusion stating that psyllium fiber only alleviated the pain of the patients suffering from IBS, but it did not prove any other effects in terms of reducing other IBS related symptoms.