How much fiber should I add to my diet to help reduce the symptoms of IBS?

How much fiber should I add to my diet to help reduce the symptoms of IBS?

Lin Chang (UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases) gives expert video advice on: Will my IBS symptoms get better?; Is there a cure for IBS?; What treatments can relieve IBS symptoms? and more...

Well in general, most people in America have about five to ten grams of fiber in their diet, and if a patient has constipation, they usually need about 20 - 25 grams of fiber. So that's actually a fair amount higher than I think most of us take, and foods themselves don't have all that much fiber, so sometimes it helps to use fiber supplements, like psyllium or methyl cellulose. These are, over the counter remedies, that patients can use and control the amount they take.