Evidence supporting the use of: Curcumin
For the health condition: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The rationale for its use is based on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and possible gut-modulating properties. Several small-scale clinical trials and pilot studies have explored the effect of curcumin supplementation on IBS symptoms. A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis found that curcumin supplementation, especially when combined with other ingredients like fennel oil, may reduce abdominal pain and improve quality of life in IBS patients. However, the number of studies is limited, sample sizes are small, and study quality is often moderate.

Mechanistically, curcumin is thought to reduce low-grade inflammation that may contribute to IBS symptoms, modulate intestinal barrier function, and influence gut microbiota composition. Traditional use of turmeric as a digestive aid in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine lends some historical context, but the use of isolated curcumin for IBS is a more recent and scientifically-driven development.

In summary, while there is some scientific evidence suggesting curcumin may benefit IBS symptoms, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is modest (rating: 2/5). More large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy and recommend routine use for IBS.

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Other ingredients used for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2'-Fucosyllactose
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alexandrian senna
Algae
Aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anise
asafoetida
atractylodes
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bayleaf
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bitter principals
black salt
blackberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bran
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cannabidiol
chen pi
chia seed
chlorella
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
coriander
cumin
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
dragonhead
Enterococcus
enzyme blend
fennel
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fig
flaxseed
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Fumaria parviflora
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
ginger
Glucooligosaccharides
green banana
green tea
guar gum
hemicellulose
holarrhena antidysenterica
hyssop
Indian coraltree
Indian frankincense
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kluyveromyces marxianus
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Leuconostoc
locust bean gum
lovage
Lysimachia
Malva sylvestris
Marshmallow
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Methylcellulose
Mucilage
Nardostachys
oat
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Phellodendron
Pimpinella
Plectranthus amboinicus
plum fruit
pomegranate
Portulaca
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
psyllium
quercetin
quince
resveratrol
rhubarb
Rhus coriaria
Rubus
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sanguisorba
Savory
senna
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
turmeric
Viburnum
vitamin D
White oak
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
Zingerone