Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Turmeric [1, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then, has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that turmeric can help in the treatment of IBS. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Strychnos Nux-Vomica (Maqianzi, Poison Nut) [1, 22, 23, 24]:

WARNING! This substance is HIGHLY POISONOUS. The seeds contain Strychnine, which may cause convulsions, breathing difficulties and death, even if as little as 5 milligrams is ingested

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is no evidence in the form of clinical trials which reports the effectiveness of Strychnos Nux-Vomica, because it is highly poisonous to humans, and is not recommended.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Psyllium (Isphagula, Plantago Psyllium) [1, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: weakly in favor (Research shows that Psyllium may be effective in helping to treat IBS, but only when used with other treatments.)

Grade of Evidence: high quality of evidence

Peppermint Oil [1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early clinical trials have shown that Peppermint may help in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, but more research is needed)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Megavitamin Therapy (Multivitamin, Vitamin Supplements) [1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]:

Please Note that while supplements are effective in correcting deficiencies in the body, their long-term usage is not helpful in preventing diseases like cancer and heart disease. To prevent these illnesses one should eat the natural foods which these vitamins and minerals come from. Replacing natural sources with artificial supplements actually increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Supplements should be taken only as a balanced multivitamin supplement that contains no more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance. It would be most helpful in people with restricted food intakes, pregnant women and women of childbearing age.

Recommendation: Weakly against. (There is no evidence that Megavitamin therapy can prevent or treat IBS. In fact, long term therapy can lead to increased risk for other diseases)

Grade of Evidence: moderate quality of evidence

Kampo [1, 2, 3]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Kampo helps in the treatment of IBS)

Grade of Evidence: moderate of evidence

Curanderismo:

Recommendation: no recommendation (there is insufficient evidence to show that curanderismo has any effect in treating irritable bowel syndrome)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Public Discussion