Nearly 11 percent of Australians are affected by irritable bowel syndrome, a common gastrointestinal disorder that disrupts intestinal function and causes symptoms ranging from abdominal pain and bloating to diarrhea and constipation.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute developed and tested a specially designed fiber supplement called ur gut®. The supplement aims to improve gut health in people with IBS without increasing uncomfortable digestive symptoms.
Although the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome remains unclear, stress, infections, and certain medications may contribute to the condition. Symptoms can also worsen due to particular foods, inadequate sleep, psychological stress, hormonal changes, and lifestyle factors, Science Daily reported.
Low-FODMAP Diet Dilemma
Individuals experiencing irritable bowel syndrome are routinely recommended to adopt a low-FODMAP diet, which restricts specific carbohydrates that gut bacteria readily ferment. While this dietary approach helps control uncomfortable symptoms, restricting these foods can also reduce beneficial gut bacteria and negatively impact fiber intake over time.
“For years we’ve known that a diet low in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monesaccharides and Polyols can relieve symptoms, but they can also reduce beneficial gut bacteria and negatively impact fiber intake over time,” lead author Dr. Tina Yan told Science Daily.
“We wanted to find a way to build better gut health while following a low-FODMAP diet,” Yan said.
Psyllium husk slows resistant starch breakdown
The new supplement combines high-amylose maize resistant starch with psyllium husk powder. By appearing to delay how intestinal bacteria break down resistant starch, psyllium enables a larger quantity of it to reach deeper portions of the colon prior to the onset of fermentation.
This process may increase the production of beneficial compounds that support intestinal health. Ordinarily, fermentable fiber can be challenging for people with IBS because bacterial fermentation produces excess gas and digestive discomfort.
“Traditionally, fermentable fibers can be difficult for people with IBS because they can increase gas production and discomfort,” Yan said.
“What’s exciting about this study is that participants maintained stable symptoms while showing meaningful improvements in their gut microbiota as well as in their gut-related anxiety,” she told Science Daily.
Dietary fiber blend reshapes the gut microbiome
Researchers observed substantial shifts in the composition of participants’ gut bacteria during the intervention, which occurred over a relatively short period.
“Changes of this magnitude are rarely seen with such a short intervention,” ur gut® co-creator Professor Amanda Devine said.
“The study demonstrated that our targeted dietary fiber blend positively reshaped the gut microbiome in people with IBS following a low-FODMAP diet, supporting beneficial bacteria linked to gut and mental health. This was great to see,” Devine said.
Alongside improvements in gut bacteria, participants experienced reductions in gut-related anxiety. These findings suggest that the potential benefits may extend beyond changes in the digestive system.
Rebuilding Gut Health
These discoveries might help redirect irritable bowel syndrome treatment toward enhancing the intrinsic health of the digestive tract rather than concentrating solely on steering clear of problematic foods.
“For many people with IBS, success has traditionally helped mean simply avoiding certain foods,” ur gut® co-creator Associate Professor Claus Christophersen said.
“Our findings suggest we may also be able to actively rebuild gut health and the microbiome while not making IBS symptoms worse. That’s an important step forward,” Christophersen said.
The ur gut® supplement is currently available for purchase, and the research team created an accompanying cookbook featuring recipes designed to help people incorporate the supplement into a healthy diet. The study details appear in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Common Questions About the Fiber Blend
How does the ur gut supplement work without causing gas?
The supplement combines resistant starch with psyllium husk powder. Psyllium slows the breakdown of resistant starch by gut bacteria, allowing the starch to travel farther into the colon before fermentation occurs and reducing excess gas production.
What foods does a low-FODMAP diet restrict?
A low-FODMAP diet limits fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monesaccharides, and polyols, which are certain carbohydrates easily fermented by gut bacteria. While helpful for symptoms, this restriction can reduce beneficial gut bacteria over time.
Where was the clinical trial published?
The study was published online in the European Journal of Nutrition on 24 September 2026, under the title “Dietary fibre blend improves gut health in patients with irritable bowel syndrome following a low FODMAP diet: a randomised, double-blind control trial.”
Are further studies planned for the broader effects?
Further research will be needed to establish the supplement’s broader effects, as additional investigations are required to understand long-term outcomes.
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