Your guts are crawling with bacteria, but don't be alarmed, they're the friendly kind. Beneficial microbes known as probiotics inhabit your gastrointestinal system, where they help keep you healthy by warding off hordes of harmful pathogens that could otherwise move in. Probiotics also aid in the digestion of milk sugar -- a boon for those who suffer from lactose intolerance. Ulcerative colitis is another disorder that may respond to the use of probiotics.
Causes of Ulcerative Colitis
If you have ulcerative colitis, you may wonder what caused it. You're not alone in that regard. Scientists remain unsure of the exact origins of this disorder, but a number of factors may increase your risk. These include genetics, weakened immune response and environmental triggers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Effects of Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. It causes your immune system to betray you by producing antibodies that attack the cells of your intestines. The result is inflammation of the bowel that can occur suddenly, or have a gradual onset. You may experience diarrhea, rectal hemorrhaging, painful defecation, abdominal cramps due to this disorder. The condition can go into remission and never return, or can become chronic. Ulcerative colitis has no cure, except for surgical removal of the large intestine. It is treated with medication, with varying degrees of success.
Probiotics and Ulcerative Colitis
Probiotics have successfully been shown to help prevent relapses of ulcerative colitis. A probiotic yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii helped 17 out of 24 ulcerative colitis patients achieve remission of their symptoms according to a study published in the "European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology" in 2003. Two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and bifidobacterium, were found to decrease relapse occurrence and increase remission time in a review published by the "Annals of Pharmacotherapy" in March of 2010. A study published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" in 2004 demonstrated the effectiveness of a probiotic mixture called BIFICO in decreasing the occurrence of relapse when compared to a placebo.
Considerations
If you are considering taking probiotics to address your ulcerative colitis, consult your doctor first. Probiotic effects are species specific, you must consume the correct strain of bacteria to get the results you want. Your doctor can determine which strains and dosages are right for you.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ulcerative Colitis
- "European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology"; A Pilot Trial of Saccharomyces Boulardii in Ulcerative Colitis; Mario Guslandi et al; June 2003
- "Annals of Pharmacotherapy"; Probiotics for Maintaining Remission of Ulcerative Colitis in Adults; VT Do et al; March 2010
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Effects of Probiotics on Intestinal Mucosa of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis; Hai-Hong Cul et al; May 2004
- USProbiotics.org: Probiotic Basics
