The American Gastroenterological Association reports that research on probiotics, which are living microscopic organisms, has shown that they can be of benefit to your health. They are most often used to help with digestive health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, which is often referred to as IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is a disorder in the movement of the gut. People with this condition may have diarrhea, constipation or alternating bouts of both. IBS is not caused by injury or illness and the only way doctors can often diagnose it is to rule out other conditions through testing. Although some of the symptoms may be the same, inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is different from IBS because it is a disorder of the immune system in which the intestines can become inflamed, sometimes resulting in a need for prescription medicine to keep the inflammation under control. IBS is a more common disorder that affects the large intestine and tends not to cause permanent damage to your colon. In most cases, it can be controlled by managing your diet, lifestyle and stress.
Probiotics
Probiotics are living organisms that are most often considered to be bacteria and may be similar to the "good" bacteria already present in your body. Although probiotics have been around for generations and "live active cultures" are promoted in several brands of yogurt, they are now offered in other products such as chocolate, granola bars, juices, powders and capsules. Scientists are still sorting out exactly how probiotics work and have found that they are not all the same and do not work in the same way. The Mayo Clinic suggests that probiotics may improve general health and most people can safely add probiotic foods to their diet. However, you should check with your doctor to be certain that probiotic supplements are right for you.
Types of Probiotics
The most common probiotic bacteria come from two groups classified as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium but it is important to remember that there are many other types within each group of bacteria having different species and each species may have additional strains. Different strains have benefits for certain parts of your body so it is vital to find the right one for the specific health benefit you seek. Although research is continuing, the American Gastroenterological Association suggests that bifidobacterium infantis, sacchromyces boulardii, lactobacillus plantarum or a combination of these probiotics may be of most help to those suffering from IBS.
Purchasing Probiotics
Learning to carefully study labels on products is an important factor in choosing a probiotic as the label should tell you the probiotic's group, species and strain. If the information is not listed on the product, you can call the company or try to find the needed information on their website. If you are ordering products from the Internet, make certain that you know the company from which you are ordering. The larger companies that have been around for a long time are more likely to have products that have been tested and studied. As a final note, make certain that the probiotic has an expiration date and store the product as suggested by the manufacturer.
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