Irritable bowel syndrome leads to complications in the intestinal tract including difficulties regulating bowel movements. Probiotics are organisms, usually bacteria, that you can consume that mimic the good bacteria in the body. Probiotics can help regulate bowel movements for people with IBS by introducing good bacteria into the intestines.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system commonly referred to as IBS. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe. These include changes in bowel movements, pain in the abdomen, muscle spasms, gas, and bloating. Before diagnosis, changes in bowel movements are often observed. Individuals with IBS may experience diarrhea, constipation, or both. Potential causes for the disorder include the intestinal muscles being overly sensitive to pain and movement or development following an infection. Stress can exacerbate symptoms of the disorder.
Probiotics
Probiotics are small organisms, such as bacteria, similar to the good bacteria that occur naturally in the body. The two most common groups of bacteria that probiotics come from are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. However, probiotics are often classified by group along with class and strain. Probiotics enhance digestive health, increase immune system functioning, produce B vitamins to metabolize food, increase intestinal mucus and prevent the growth of damaging bacteria in the intestines. Probiotics can be useful in treating IBS by regulating symptoms of diarrhea and constipation as well as bloating.
Types and Use of Probiotics for IBS
Probiotics are available as a dietary supplement or in food products. As a dietary supplement, probiotics often come in capsule form and may contain one strain of probiotic or multiple strains of probiotics. They are also available in liquids, tablets, or food items. Three types of probiotics are more commonly used for IBS; Bifidobacterium infantis, Sacchromyces boulardii, and Lactobacillus planatarum. Combination or multi-strain probiotics may be used to treat the symptoms of IBS.
Efficacy of Multi-Strain Probiotics
A clinical trial conducted at the University of Sheffield School of Medicine examined the effectiveness of a multi-strain probiotic, LAB4, in treating IBS symptoms when compared to a placebo. LAB4 contains Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus. This randomized, double-blind study determined that people who received the multi-strain probiotic had less pain, improved bowel habits, and better quality of life than those who received the placebo. No differences were found in amount of abdominal pain and bloating. Another study conducted by Dr. Gerald Friedman at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine discovered that a multi-strain probiotic used in IBS patients with diarrhea over 28 days led to decreases in diarrhea compared to those who took a placebo.
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