Medical disclaimer: GutVerdict summarizes what people say about supplements on Reddit. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medicines, or have a medical condition. New, severe or worsening symptoms (such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, or night-time symptoms) need a doctor, not a supplement. Full disclaimer.

Gut Supplement Shortlists

Quick shortlists from our Reddit owner data. Only supplements with 5 or more owner comments are included. Use these to narrow your reading, then check the safety notes on each page and talk to your doctor.

Top-rated by type

Fiber

  1. Psyllium husk 4.2
  2. PHGG (Sunfiber) 3.9
  3. Acacia fiber 3.8

Magnesium

  1. Magnesium citrate 4.0
  2. Magnesium oxide 4.0
  3. Magnesium glycinate 3.7

Probiotics

  1. Spore-based probiotics (Bacillus) 4.2
  2. Saccharomyces boulardii 4.0
  3. L. rhamnosus GG (Culturelle) 3.9

Digestive enzymes

  1. Digestive enzymes 4.3
  2. Alpha-galactosidase (Beano) 3.8
  3. Lactase enzyme 3.7

Herbal & oils

  1. Ginger supplements 4.1
  2. Iberogast (STW 5) 3.8
  3. Peppermint oil capsules 3.8

Gut-lining & amino acids

  1. L-glutamine 4.0
  2. Butyrate / tributyrin 3.9
  3. Zinc carnosine 3.7

Herbal antimicrobials

  1. Oregano oil 3.8
  2. Allicin (Allimed / Allimax) 3.6
  3. Berberine 3.6

Other supplements

  1. Activated charcoal 3.7

Fewest side-effect reports

Among supplements with at least 15 rated owner comments, ranked by the share that describe an unwanted effect.

  1. Slippery elm: 0% of 32 rated comments
  2. Iberogast (STW 5): 4% of 51 rated comments
  3. Digestive enzymes: 5% of 344 rated comments
  4. Alpha-galactosidase (Beano): 5% of 21 rated comments
  5. L. rhamnosus GG (Culturelle): 5% of 19 rated comments

By symptom

IBS-C & constipation

  1. Spore-based probiotics (Bacillus)
  2. Seed DS-01
  3. L. rhamnosus GG (Culturelle)

IBS-D & loose stools

  1. Zinc carnosine
  2. Saccharomyces boulardii
  3. Iberogast (STW 5)

Bloating & gas

  1. Saccharomyces boulardii
  2. Magnesium oxide
  3. Iberogast (STW 5)

SIBO

  1. Seed DS-01
  2. Magnesium oxide
  3. Iberogast (STW 5)

After antibiotics

  1. L. rhamnosus GG (Culturelle)
  2. Digestive enzymes
  3. High-potency multi-strain (VSL#3 / Visbiome)

Stool form

  1. Acacia fiber
  2. L-glutamine
  3. Allicin (Allimed / Allimax)

Pain & cramping

  1. Butyrate / tributyrin
  2. Ginger supplements
  3. Alpha-galactosidase (Beano)

Read our guide on choosing an IBS supplement before you buy. Still comparing? Browse every gut supplement we track, sorted by Reddit owner score.