Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can be a frustrating and debilitating condition. Characterized by constipation, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps and gas, IBS affects an estimated 24 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, reports Harvard Medical School. Because IBS appears to be influenced by multiple factors and is not responsive to one known cure, it can be difficult to treat. However, the natural remedy of ingesting "good" bacteria from cultured milk products to treat IBS can be helpful.
Probiotics
Everyone has helpful good bacteria that exists naturally in their intestines. These microorganisms live in your gut and fight off harmful bacteria, the Cleveland Clinic reports. Called probiotics, they aid digestion and strengthen your immune system. In fact, your health can suffer if stress, illness or antibiotics disrupt the natural balance of probiotic bacteria in your body. Some scientists believe that digestive disorders such as IBS reflect problems with the body's natural reserves of probiotics.
Sources
Certain foods and supplements contain probiotics that are similar to the body's natural reserves, and these can be consumed to improve your health and treat digestive disorders such as IBS. Food sources of probiotics are fermented foods, including cultured milk products. One commonly consumed natural source of probiotics is yogurt, which contains active live bacterial cultures that benefit the body, says Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., of the Mayo Clinic. Other cultured milk products that contain probiotics are buttermilk, certain soft cheeses and sour cream.
Probiotics for IBS
Probiotic foods such as cultured milk products are sometimes used to treat IBS. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is some evidence that the consumption of these substances can be helpful. A 2006 study in the "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology" found that probiotics improved IBS symptoms for some patients. However, the Harvard Medical School notes that more research is needed to determine whether probiotic foods such as cultured milk products are a reliably effective treatment for IBS and other digestive disorders.
Caveats
The consumption of cultured milk products may not help everyone with IBS, and if you suffer from this condition, it's important to seek professional advice from a doctor and follow medical advice. If you would like to try probiotics for the treatment of IBS, discuss this with your doctor, who can advise you regarding any potential risks and the appropriate dosage for your condition. In addition, keep in mind that treating IBS often requires a multi-pronged approach, and it may involve other interventions, along with an increase in your intake of cultured milk products.
References
- Harvard Medical School Health Publications: Understanding and Treating an Irritable Bowel
- Cleveland Clinic: Eat Right - Probiotics
- MayoClinic.com; Probiotics: Important for a Healthy Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Probiotics and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Rationale, Putative Mechanisms, and Evidence of Clinical Efficacy; M. Camilleri; March 2006
