Fibercon is a fiber supplement made from calcium polycarbophil, a synthetic ingredient which is not absorbed into the body. It can be used to treat both diarrhea and constipation. Fibercon is gluten-free, and comes in Fibercon comes in tablet form.
A study published in the journal Hepato-gastroenterology (Chiba T, Kudara N, Sato M, Chishima R, Abiko Y, Inomata M, Orii S, Suzuki K) looked at the effects of calcium polycarbophil, the main ingredient in Fibercon, on general IBS symptoms. Fourteen patients with IBS-diarrhea and 12 with IBS-constipation were given calcium polycarbophil for eight weeks, and their colon transit times were measured with radiopaque markers in the colon.
The patients with diarrhea reported fewer bowel movements, more solid stools, and reduced abdominal pain. Constipation-predominant patients reported more frequent bowel movements, looser stools and less pain.
The conclusion of the study was that calcium polycarbophil is useful in improving colonic transit, bowel movements, stool form and abdominal pain in both types of IBS.
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Review by...Kara
I was just officially diagnosed with IBS yesterday by my physician. This confirms what I have known for at least the last five years. (I have had IBS now for about 15 years). It is a relief and validating after medical tests, anxiety about my condition, and the implication from others that perhaps it was all in my head.
On my own I read about fiber therapy and have been taking calcium polycarbophil capsules for about two months now. My symptoms are under control and I have a solid bowel movement without much pain, if at all, every day or every other day! This was not the case before the fiber therapy.
My doctor told me to continue the fiber therapy, to watch out for foods that irritate my condition, and to manage stress as that is a big trigger for me. I have found that coffee, alcohol, egg yolks, bran, whole wheat, high fat foods, fried foods, and red meat tend to flare up my symptoms. With the fiber therapy, though, I can still indulge in the occasional French fry or glass of white wine without being sick in the bathroom all night or day long.
Fibercon is a Godsend! It has saved my life. It's the only thing that works for me.