Best Supplements for Reduced Abdominal Pain
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 46 supplements across 76 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence13 studies
Across 13 studies, 11 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 on reducing abdominal pain, with effect sizes predominantly small to moderate. The most commonly studied dose was 10^8 CFU/day, and the median study duration across 5 reporting studies was 56 days (8 weeks). Effects were observed primarily in pediatric clinical populations, including children with functional abdominal pain and infants with colic.
Dose: 10^8 CFU/dayProduct matchBioGaia — Kids, Immune Active with L. Reuteri + Vitamin D, Orange· $26.99 · ★4.8 (510) - Moderate evidence5 studies
Across 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on reducing abdominal pain, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The median study duration was 44 days, and the most common population studied was patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. The predominant evidence points to a moderate-to-large benefit, particularly in clinical populations with H. pylori eradication therapy.
- Moderate evidence4 studies
Across all 4 studies, peppermint consistently showed beneficial effects on reducing abdominal pain, with moderate effect sizes reported in the highest-quality studies. The strongest evidence comes from a 2022 meta-analysis of 10 RCTs in 1030 IBS patients (RR = 0.76; NNT = 7). The evidence base is small and predominantly from clinical populations, with no consistent dose, form, or duration data available.
- ModerateLactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938Across 13 studies, 11 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 on reducing abdominal pain, with effect sizes predominantly small to moderate. The most commonly studied dose was 10^8 CFU/day, and the median study duration across 5 reporting studies was 56 days (8 weeks). Effects were observed primarily in pediatric clinical populations, including children with functional abdominal pain and infants with colic. · Dose: 10^8 CFU/day11 beneficial2 neutral13 studies
- Moderatesaccharomyces boulardiiAcross 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on reducing abdominal pain, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The median study duration was 44 days, and the most common population studied was patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. The predominant evidence points to a moderate-to-large benefit, particularly in clinical populations with H. pylori eradication therapy.4 beneficial1 neutral5 studies
- ModeratePeppermintAcross all 4 studies, peppermint consistently showed beneficial effects on reducing abdominal pain, with moderate effect sizes reported in the highest-quality studies. The strongest evidence comes from a 2022 meta-analysis of 10 RCTs in 1030 IBS patients (RR = 0.76; NNT = 7). The evidence base is small and predominantly from clinical populations, with no consistent dose, form, or duration data available.4 beneficial4 studies
- LowLactobacillus plantarum 299vAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on reducing abdominal pain in IBS patients, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. One neutral study (n=190) found no significant difference, but the overall evidence leans toward a beneficial effect. Most studies did not specify a dose, but one used 1×10^10 CFU/day; the median study duration was 28 days, though only one study reported this. · Dose: 1×10^10 CFU/day (from one study; no clear convergence across others)3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- ModerateBacillus coagulans MTCC 5856Across all 3 studies, Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 consistently shows beneficial effects on reducing abdominal pain, with predominantly large effect sizes. The evidence includes a large systematic review (n=9253) and two smaller randomized controlled trials in adults with IBS or functional gas and bloating. The most studied dose is approximately 2 × 10^9 CFU/day (2 billion spores/day), and effects are observed in clinical populations with IBS or functional bloating. · Dose: 2 × 10^9 CFU/day (2 billion spores/day)3 beneficial3 studies
- ModerateLactobacillus gasseri BNR17Across all 3 studies, Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 showed beneficial small-sized effects on reducing abdominal pain in adults with functional constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). All studies were randomized controlled trials with statistically significant findings, but the total sample sizes were small (24–55 participants).3 beneficial3 studies