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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional
gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that’s accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating,
constipation, cramping and diarrhea. It can be very uncomfortable or distressing and even interfere
with your daily activities or travelling.
Several studies suggest that probiotics can safely and effectively improve IBS symptoms and
normalize bowel function in patients with constipation or diarrhea related to IBS. These studies
were presented at the 2008 American College of Gastroenterology’s 73rd Annual Scientific
Meeting.
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
So far health professionals aren’t sure what specifically causes IBS. According to the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), it may be caused by a
hypersensitive colon or large intestine that overreacts to different factors such as food or
stress.
In some cases immune system problems or a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract may be
the culprits behind IBS. Studies show gastroenteritis - inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
- sometimes leads to IBS and is referred to as post-infectious IBS.
More About IBS
Symptom
Symptoms differ among IBS patients. Aside from diarrhea, cramping and
bloating, you may also have bloody stools, experience bleeding, weight loss, or develop a
fever.
Proof that Probiotics Effectively Treat IBS
The
research to support probiotics for treating IBS is overwhelming. One systematic review of the use
of probiotics for IBS that included 19 randomized controlled trials with 1,628 IBS patients found
that probiotics are effective in IBS.
The study’s lead researcher Dr. Paul Moayyedi and co-investigators at the Mayo Clinic, McMaster
University, University College and Montefiore Medical Center conducted the meta-analysis and
presented it at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting. They found that multi-strain probiotics may be
the key for treating IBS.
In another study conducted at seven pediatric GI centers researchers looked at probiotic use in children with IBS. Stefano Guandalini, professor of
pediatrics at the University of Chicago in Illinois and his research team chose 59 pediatric IBS
patients and randomly assigned them to receive either a probiotic agent (VSL #359®) or a placebo
for six weeks.
Patients were given a questionnaire to assess their symptoms and overall quality of life before and
after treatment. The results showed that the probiotic agent safely and effectively alleviated
IBS-related symptoms (abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, stool dysfunction) in children and
teens far more effectively than the placebo.
However, not all probiotics are as effective for treating IBS. One review on probiotic treatment of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome at University of Michigan and Chicago’s Northwestern University revealed
that out of 13 different individual strains Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 was the only probiotic
strain to significantly improve IBS symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, and difficult bowel
movement). Bifantis® is a form of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 that you can take as a
daily probiotic supplement.
The study’s lead investigator Darren M. Brenner suggested that IBS symptoms may result from changes
in gut microflora and believed probiotics could improve those symptoms.
Sources:
American College of Gastroenterology press release “ACG
Releases Evidence-Based Systematic Review on Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,”
http://www.acg.gi.org/media/releases/december182008.asp.
Eurekalert.org press release http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/msl-rop032009.php
Next:
Probiotics and the Immune
System
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