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Best Gastric Relief Supplements for IBS Symptoms and GLP-1 Side Effects
Digestive discomfort can affect every part of your day. Whether you’re dealing with gas, visible bloating, stomach cramps, alternating constipation and diarrhea, or sudden bowel urgency, the impact on daily life can be significant. For some, these issues are compounded by medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide), which can slow gastric emptying and disrupt gut motility.
Among natural approaches, peppermint oil is one of the most researched options for easing IBS symptoms. When taken in an effective amount and delivered properly, peppermint oil can relax intestinal smooth muscle, reduce gut hypersensitivity, and help with bloating and cramps. But the key is this: not all peppermint-oil supplements deliver the same dosage or use the same delivery technology.
Here’s an in-depth look at four popular products — IBgard®, Gastro Vitale®, Iberogast®, and Mason Natural Peppermint Oil — and how they compare, with a closer look at why Gastro Vitale® stands out for vegan, halal, and Alpha-Gal-conscious consumers.
IBgard® — Targeted Peppermint Oil Delivery with Microsphere Technology
What It Is
IBgard® delivers ultra-purified peppermint oil using Site-Specific Targeting (SST®) technology. This involves placing the oil into tiny enteric-coated microspheres, then packing those bead-lets into a hard capsule. This allows the oil to pass through the stomach and release in the small intestine, where much IBS-related pain and bloating begin.
Format and Key Details
A serving of IBgard® is two capsules, which together contain about 180 mg of peppermint oil — an amount within the range shown in clinical trials to produce significant IBS symptom improvements. The capsule shell itself is typically made from gelatin, which is animal-derived.
Benefits People Seek
IBgard® is often used for flare control, especially after trigger meals or during high-stress periods. Studies have shown relief for bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, and urgency, with some people noticing improvement within a day.
Safety Notes
The enteric microspheres reduce the risk of peppermint-related heartburn, but some users may still experience reflux. Because of its gelatin content, IBgard® is not suitable for vegan, halal, or Alpha-Gal-sensitive consumers.
Gastro Vitale® — Vegan, Halal, and Alpha-Gal-Conscious Digestive Comfort
What It Is
Gastro Vitale® offers the same clinically relevant peppermint-oil dosage as IBgard® — 180 mg per serving (two capsules) — but in a completely vegan, gelatin-free format. This makes it ideal for those who want proven digestive relief while following a plant-based, halal, or Alpha-Gal-safe diet.
Format and Key Details
The peppermint oil is encapsulated in plant-based capsules, free of mammalian derivatives. Gastro Vitale® is vegan, halal, and designed specifically to avoid mammalian gelatin, which can trigger Alpha-Gal reactions. The formulation is intended to relax intestinal smooth muscle, ease cramping, and reduce bloating — without compromising dietary principles.
Benefits People Seek
For those who want effective symptom relief and ethical, allergen-conscious sourcing, Gastro Vitale® offers both. It’s an excellent choice for day-to-day bloating and gas or for taking ahead of situations that might trigger IBS flares.
What Sets It Apart
Most peppermint-oil supplements require consumers with dietary restrictions to compromise — but Gastro Vitale® provides a research-aligned dose in a format that’s inclusive for vegan, halal, and Alpha-Gal-sensitive consumers.
Safety Notes
As with all peppermint oil products, mild reflux is possible. Taking capsules before meals and starting with a lower frequency can help.
Gut Therapy With Peppermint Freshness
Iberogast® — A Multi-Herbal Liquid for Upper and Lower GI Symptoms
What It Is
Iberogast® (STW-5) is a liquid herbal preparation containing nine different botanicals: Iberis amara (bitter candytuft), angelica root, chamomile flower, caraway fruit, milk thistle, lemon balm, peppermint leaf, greater celandine, and licorice root. It’s used for both functional dyspepsia and IBS-like symptoms.
Format and Key Details
Iberogast® is taken as a liquid, typically 20 drops up to three times a day, diluted in water or another beverage. It contains ethanol as a solvent, which is common for tinctures but worth noting for those avoiding alcohol.
Benefits People Seek
The formula targets multiple aspects of digestion: improving motility, reducing spasm, easing bloating, and calming discomfort. It’s often chosen by those whose symptoms include both upper-GI fullness and lower-GI cramps.
Safety Notes
Labelling in some countries warns of rare but possible liver injury. Stop use and seek medical help if symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, or right-upper-abdominal pain occur. Those with liver disease or who are pregnant/breastfeeding should consult a doctor before use.
Mason Natural Peppermint Oil — Simple, but Significantly Lower Dose
What It Is
Mason Natural offers an enteric-coated peppermint oil softgel that contains just 50 mg of peppermint oil per softgel. While the enteric coating helps ensure delivery to the intestines, this dosage is far below the clinically studied range for IBS relief.
Format and Key Details
With a serving size of one softgel, the total daily peppermint oil content is just 50 mg unless multiple softgels are taken. By contrast, both IBgard® and Gastro Vitale® deliver 180 mg per serving (two capsules). This means Mason Natural users would need to take several softgels to match the research-backed amount, which can be inconvenient and reduce cost-effectiveness. The softgel also contains gelatin and sometimes soy.
Benefits People Seek
Mason Natural is inexpensive and widely available. It may offer some relief for mild digestive discomfort, but at its standard serving size, it is unlikely to deliver the same results seen in peppermint-oil IBS studies.
Safety Notes
Not suitable for vegan, halal, or Alpha-Gal-sensitive consumers. Those with soy allergies should check labels carefully.
Harness The Power of Peppermint Oil
Science Backed Natural Supplement For Relief from Bloating, IBS & Abdominal Pain.
The GLP-1 Connection
GLP-1 medications often slow digestion, leading to bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, or nausea. First-line management includes smaller, lower-fat meals and adequate hydration.
Peppermint-oil supplements at clinically studied dosages — like Gastro Vitale® or IBgard® — can be useful adjuncts for cramping and bloating. Iberogast® may help when upper-GI fullness or queasiness is present. Always check with your prescriber before adding supplements.
Choosing the Right Fit
- If you want targeted peppermint-oil delivery backed by clinical data and don’t have dietary restrictions, IBgard® is a solid choice.
- If you want the same clinically relevant dose in a supplement that is vegan, halal, and Alpha- Gal-conscious, Gastro Vitale® is the clear leader.
- If you have a mix of upper- and lower-GI issues, Iberogast® offers a multi-herbal approach.
- If you want a low-cost, entry-level peppermint oil option, Mason Natural is available — but its much lower dosage means it’s unlikely to match the relief offered by the higher-dose, clinically studied products.