Best Supplements for Reduced Abdominal Pain
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 48 supplements across 80 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- High evidence13 studies
Across 13 studies, 11 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 on reducing abdominal pain, with a predominant small effect size. The most commonly studied dose was 10^8 CFU/day, and effects were typically observed over 8 weeks (median study duration 56 days). Key populations include children with functional abdominal pain disorders and infants with colic.
Dose: 10^8 CFU/day (range 10^8 to 4×10^8 CFU/day)Product matchBioGaia — Kids, Immune Active with L. Reuteri + Vitamin D, Orange· $26.99 · ★4.8 (510) - Moderate evidence6 studies
Across 6 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects on abdominal pain, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. Most evidence comes from clinical populations with Helicobacter pylori infection, and the median study duration was 29 days. The predominant effect direction is beneficial, with effect sizes being mixed (small to large) across studies.
- Moderate evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies, all 4 report beneficial effects of peppermint oil on abdominal pain, with moderate effect sizes in the highest-quality meta-analysis (RR=0.76, NNT=7). Evidence is most robust for adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), though benefits are also noted in pediatric populations. Doses and forms were not consistently reported across studies.
- HighLactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938Across 13 studies, 11 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 on reducing abdominal pain, with a predominant small effect size. The most commonly studied dose was 10^8 CFU/day, and effects were typically observed over 8 weeks (median study duration 56 days). Key populations include children with functional abdominal pain disorders and infants with colic. · Dose: 10^8 CFU/day (range 10^8 to 4×10^8 CFU/day)11 beneficial2 neutral13 studies
- Moderatesaccharomyces boulardiiAcross 6 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects on abdominal pain, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. Most evidence comes from clinical populations with Helicobacter pylori infection, and the median study duration was 29 days. The predominant effect direction is beneficial, with effect sizes being mixed (small to large) across studies.5 beneficial1 neutral6 studies
- ModeratePeppermintAcross 4 studies, all 4 report beneficial effects of peppermint oil on abdominal pain, with moderate effect sizes in the highest-quality meta-analysis (RR=0.76, NNT=7). Evidence is most robust for adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), though benefits are also noted in pediatric populations. Doses and forms were not consistently reported across studies.4 beneficial4 studies
- ModerateLactobacillus plantarum 299vAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on reduced abdominal pain, with one large RCT showing complete resolution of pain. Effect sizes were mixed (small to large), and the predominant finding is beneficial but inconsistent. The median study duration was 28 days (1 of 4 studies reporting), and the most studied population was irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- ModerateLactobacillus gasseri BNR17Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial small-sized effects on reducing abdominal pain in populations with functional constipation, diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and general IBS. Evidence is from small randomized controlled trials (total n=119), with one study using a high dose of 2 × 5 × 10^9 CFU/day.3 beneficial3 studies
- ModerateBacillus coagulans MTCC 5856Across all 3 studies, Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 consistently showed beneficial effects on reducing abdominal pain, with large effect sizes in 2 studies and a moderate effect in 1. The evidence, which includes a large systematic review (n=9253) and two smaller RCTs in clinical populations (IBS and functional gas/bloating), indicates benefit in adults with digestive complaints. Doses ranged from 2 billion spores/day to 2 × 10^9 CFU/day, though study durations were not consistently reported. · Dose: 2 × 10^9 CFU/day (or 2 billion spores/day)3 beneficial3 studies