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Probiotics and IBS

Probiotics as an effective treatment for IBS has been gaining a lot of support recently, largely as a result of the growing number of clinical trials being conducted in both the United States of American and in the United Kingdom that continue to highlight the positive effect that friendly bacteria can have on the digestive tract.

These trials also indicate that many people who suffer from IBS have an imbalance in the delicate micro flora of the intestines, something which is referred to as Dysbiosis. Bacteria is present in both the small intestine and the colon, however, they are different types of bacteria. In a normal digestive tract only a small amount of bacteria lives in the small intestine as most of it is present in the colon.

During the digestive process, food, bacteria and other substances in the gut are propelled out of the small intestine and into the colon by regular muscular contractions. If something interferes with or interrupts this process then the result can be an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This is known as SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Interestingly, a large number of people suffering from IBS have been found to have SIBO. Taking probiotics in the form of supplements or drinks may help to rectify bacterial imbalances.

What are probiotics?

Probiotic literally means “for life”. Basically they are friendly bacteria that help keep the levels of bacteria in the gut in balance and the digestive system working efficiently. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria present in the gut some of them friendly such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and some of them not so friendly and sometimes even dangerous, such as E Coli and Salmonella.

The exact role that probiotics have to play with regard to IBS is not properly understood and it may be that probiotics can also help to prevent IBS as well as have some therapeutic value in the treatment of IBS.

Foods that contain natural probiotics include some types of yoghurt, bananas, tomatoes, garlic and onions. However, these are unlikely to have much of an impact on IBS symptoms but they can make an important contribution to overall health and nutrition.

Which probiotics?

A review of the effectiveness of probiotic treatment in randomised, controlled trials was carried by researchers at Michigan University and they found that in particular, the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis had beneficial effects on the symptoms of IBS. The participants taking this probiotic experienced a significant reduction in symptoms when compared to those who received a placebo. This included reduced abdominal pain and discomfort and less difficulty performing bowel movements. Other IBS symptoms that saw an improvement were feelings of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement, straining whilst performing a bowel movement, and flatulence.

Although Bifidobacterium infantis is the strain that has been identified in several studies as being the most effective for IBS, other types of Bifidobacterium as well as strains of Lactobacillus can have beneficial effects on health in general.