Melatonin in Improving IBS Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic condition that is one of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, affecting up to 15% of the United States population. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, frequent bowel movements, and changes in stool consistency, causing constant discomfort for individuals affected. As IBS is a disorder in which symptoms vary among individuals, and there is no cure at the moment, current treatments do not fully satisfy all patients’ demands. As a one-size-fits-all treatment remains elusive, there is importance in seeking additional supplements or treatments which can be utilized in conjunction.
Melatonin supplements are commonly used to improve an individual’s sleep quality, but recent studies have suggested that they may show promise in improving IBS symptoms as well. Researchers from the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences recently conducted a study that suggests that melatonin may also serve to improve severity of IBS in patients. In this study, 136 patients diagnosed with IBS were divided into control and experimental groups; experimental groups received 6 mg of melatonin treatment while control groups received placebo treatment, an inactive supplement that is given the same way as the melatonin treatment, consistently for two months. They were evaluated on categories such as IBS score, GI symptoms and quality of life before and after the two months.
Melatonin supplements are commonly used to improve an individual’s sleep quality, but recent studies have suggested that they may show promise in improving IBS symptoms as well. Researchers from the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences recently conducted a study that suggests that melatonin may also serve to improve severity of IBS in patients. In this study, 136 patients diagnosed with IBS were divided into control and experimental groups; experimental groups received 6 mg of melatonin treatment while control groups received placebo treatment, an inactive supplement that is given the same way as the melatonin treatment, consistently for two months. They were evaluated on categories such as IBS score, GI symptoms and quality of life before and after the two months.
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IBS score was determined through the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System, a questionnaire that determines an individual’s IBS severity level through their reporting of symptoms, including pain, abdominal distension, bowel habits/satisfaction. Similarly, GI symptoms such as frequency of abdominal pain and stool consistency are evaluated as well. Finally, whether or not an improvement in quality of life has been achieved after the intervention was evaluated through questionnaires as well. After the intervention, IBS scores of “severe” are lowered from 47.1% to 14.7%, while scores of “mild” are increased from 5.8% to 58.8%. Results showed that in the experimental group, improvements in IBS score and GI symptoms are significant, where symptoms such as severity/frequency of abdominal pain, severity of bloating, satisfaction with bowel habits, stool consistency, and quality of patients’ lives are improved as compared to the control group.
Overall, while it can be concluded that melatonin could have a positive effect on IBS symptoms of affected individuals, it should be noted that there are some limitations to this study. For instance, due to the short intervention time of two months, researchers were not able to observe additional effects due to daily melatonin usage or whether or not the supplement can lose effect after long-term usage. Secondly, researchers used the same dosage of melatonin for all individuals. Future studies should consider potential other side effects of daily melatonin usage for individuals with IBS as well as most effective dosage for maximal effects without unwanted side effects.
Overall, while it can be concluded that melatonin could have a positive effect on IBS symptoms of affected individuals, it should be noted that there are some limitations to this study. For instance, due to the short intervention time of two months, researchers were not able to observe additional effects due to daily melatonin usage or whether or not the supplement can lose effect after long-term usage. Secondly, researchers used the same dosage of melatonin for all individuals. Future studies should consider potential other side effects of daily melatonin usage for individuals with IBS as well as most effective dosage for maximal effects without unwanted side effects.
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