Synopsis

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

Methylcellulose is a semi-synthetic, non-fermentable fiber often used as a bulk-forming laxative. Its use in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), particularly in patients with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), is supported by some clinical evidence, though the overall quality and quantity of this evidence is limited. Methylcellulose increases stool bulk and water content, which can help alleviate constipation—a common symptom in many IBS patients.

A few randomized controlled trials and clinical guidelines recognize methylcellulose as a possible option for IBS-C, though it is less well-studied compared to other fibers like psyllium (ispaghula husk). Psyllium is generally preferred because it is better supported by evidence for improving both global IBS symptoms and stool consistency. In contrast, methylcellulose appears to be less likely to cause bloating and gas compared to fermentable fibers, which may make it more tolerable for some individuals.

Systematic reviews and guidelines, such as those from the American College of Gastroenterology, sometimes mention methylcellulose as a bulk-forming agent that may be considered, but they emphasize that the evidence is sparse and of low quality (e.g., small sample sizes, short study durations). Overall, while there is some scientific rationale and limited clinical evidence for methylcellulose in IBS (especially IBS-C), its use is not as strongly supported as that of other fiber supplements.

More about Methylcellulose
More about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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

Other health conditions supported by Methylcellulose

Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Diverticulitis
Hemorrhoids
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Products containing Methylcellulose

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.