Zinc and Probiotic Supplementation Shown to Improve Physical and Mental Symptoms of IBS

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This abstract suggests zinc supplementation can improve zinc levels, GI symptoms in IBS, and reduce depression and stress scores. 

Young girl with abdominal pain close up, stomach pain clutching her stomachIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits and is more common in women (12% vs. 9% in men).1 IBS can have an impact on quality of life2 and psychosocial distress.3 Recent research investigated whether supplementing with zinc and probiotics could improve both physical and mental symptoms of IBS.1

IBS is related to gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut bacteria that can lead to increased intestinal permeability, more commonly referred to as “leaky gut”.1,4 Probiotics, especially Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, have been shown to help regulate the intestinal microbiota in IBS patients, thereby helping dysbiosis.1,5 IBS is also related to zinc deficiency, likely due to diet restrictions that help symptoms. Zinc is important for improving leaky gut and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.1,6

This is the first study of its kind to evaluate both zinc and probiotic supplementation in patients with IBS. The aim of the study was to investigate how zinc and probiotics affect gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life and mood in patients with IBS. A total of 84 participants (20-60 years of age) with a confirmed diagnosis of IBS were enrolled. The participants were assigned to one of three groups: zinc group (20 mg zinc gluconate tablet + placebo), zinc and probiotic group (20 mg zinc gluconate, 109 CFUs Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria), and a placebo group (2 placebo tablets) for 90-days.

The results were as follows:

  • Serum zinc improved without or with probiotics (6.36±80 and 13.03±3.82, vs. -1.76±1.82 µg/dL; p=0.008) compared to placebo.
  • IBS severity improved with zinc without or with probiotics (-182.85±27 and −195.71±23.46, vs. -73.21±17.69; p=0.003) compared to placebo.
  • Depression scores decreased after zinc or placebo compared to zinc plus probiotic (−3.62±46 or −0.78±1.16 vs. 2.07±1.53, p=0.004)
  • Stress scores decreased after zinc or placebo compared to zinc plus probiotic (-2.88±82 or -2.64±1.49, vs. 1.85±1.95, p=0.013)
  • There was no significant difference with zinc or zinc plus probiotic on quality of life scores.

In conclusion, zinc supplementation, with or without probiotics, improved serum zinc levels and GI symptoms in IBS participants. Zinc alone was more effective than zinc plus probiotics in reducing depression and stress scores. Researchers suggest a higher probiotic dose or different probiotic strains could be tested in future research, along with a larger sample size to confirm results.1

Source: Rezazadegan, Mahsa, Maryam Soheilipour, and Reza Amani. “Effects of zinc and probiotic co-supplementation on inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, and mood in irritable bowel syndrome patients.” Scientific Reports (2026).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted October 8, 2026.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.  She earned her ND from Sonoran University (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ).  Dr. Patella has been involved in research since high school, when she presented her research at University of Florida on Group B Strep in pregnant women. While earning a bachelors in exercise physiology at Florida State University, her honors research was examining lifestyle effects on glucose levels in women. Dr. Patella was also a research assistant while in naturopathic medical school and has been writing for the Natural Health Research Institute since she graduated from Sonoran University in 2009. Dr. Patella currently teaches a variety of classes all related to human health.

References:

  1. Rezazadegan M, Soheilipour M, Amani R. Effects of zinc and probiotic co-supplementation on inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, and mood in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Sci Rep. May 20 2026;16(1)doi:10.1038/s41598-026-52347-4
  2. Törnblom H, Goosey R, Wiseman G, Baker S, Emmanuel A. Understanding symptom burden and attitudes to irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: Results from patient and healthcare professional surveys. United European Gastroenterol J. Nov 2018;6(9):1417–1427. doi:10.1177/2050640618787648
  3. Drossman DA, Camilleri M, Mayer EA, Whitehead WE. AGA technical review on irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. Dec 2002;123(6):2108–31. doi:10.1053/gast.2002.37095
  4. Acevedo-Román A, Pagán-Zayas N, Velázquez-Rivera LI, Torres-Ventura AC, Godoy-Vitorino F. Insights into Gut Dysbiosis: Inflammatory Diseases, Obesity, and Restoration Approaches. Int J Mol Sci. Sep 8 2024;25(17)doi:10.3390/ijms25179715
  5. Zhang T, Zhang C, Zhang J, Sun F, Duan L. Efficacy of Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;12:859967. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.859967
  6. Skrovanek S, DiGuilio K, Bailey R, et al. Zinc and gastrointestinal disease. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15 2014;5(4):496–513. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.496

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