What is the best probiotic for IBS?

By Probiotics Expert: Dr. Raga

A digestive ailment which is among the most common that occur and the most difficult to treat.

This occurs when there are alterations in the movement of the large intestine’s muscles. It’s either the muscles contract too fast or too slow than the normal.

Most common symptom of IBS is alternating constipation and diarrhea.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Lower abdomen cramps Gas and bloating Constipation or diarrhea, may be

both Feeling the immediate urgency to

have bowel movement when waking up as well as during or after eating

Feeling of incomplete emptying even after having defecation

Pain relief after defecating Presence of mucus in stools Up to 60% of patients with IBS may

have psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety.

Symptoms of IBS

Probiotics are live microorganisms which have been discovered to supplement the digestive tract with natural beneficial bacteria to restore the balance of the intestinal flora.

These beneficial bacteria may be consumed either in the form of supplements or fermented food.

How probiotics exactly do their work is still a mystery but there have been several studies which support its therapeutic effects to the digestive and immune system. Some research have also pointed out that probiotics have other benefits to health as well.

What are probiotics?

One of the proposed pysiologic benefits of probiotics for IBS is its protective effect to the intestinal mucosa (membrane/ protective lining of the intestines).

According to studies, probiotics prevents bacterial growth by secreting short-chain acids. This results to decreased pH of the intestines which leads to the production of proteins capable of destroying bacteria.

Also, the intestinal mucosa becomes enhanced due to the probiotics’ production of butyric acid. This acid, by-product of fiber fermentation, has been discovered to feed the enterocytes. When enterocytes are nourished, the intestinal mucosa becomes improved.

Physiologic Benefits of probiotics for IBS

Also, based on research, probiotics can inhibit apoptosis (cell death) of the epithelial cells in the gut. This leads to prevention of colon cancer, which is associated with IBS.

In a study conducted by Desbonnet et. al, the probiotic strain B. Infantis may have a role in the production of tryptophan which has an antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects on rats that were chronically exposed to a stressor for 14 days.

Physiologic Benefits of probiotics for IBS

1. BifidobacteriumSo far, Bifidobacterium have shown the most

impressive results in treating IBS. Some of the Bifidobacterium strains that have been studied for IBS are:

B.bifidum: In a trial testing for this bacteria, 47% of the people have reported symptoms improvement.

B.infantis: Have been shown to reduce gut inflammation and decrease IBS symptoms.

B.lactis: Discovered to decrease stress-related symptoms of IBS as well as improving gut permeability and sensitivity.

Which probiotic strains can help in IBS?

2. Lactobacillus L.rhamnosus GG: Have been found to decrease

the intensity and frequency of abdominal pain in IBS pediatric patients.

L.plantarum: Give relief from abdominal pain and bloating.

L.brevis: Help in the reduction of intensity and frequency of diarrhea as well as abdominal pain.

Bacillus coagulans: Have significant effects on the alleviation of abdominal pain and bloating in IBS patients.

Which probiotic strains can help in IBS?

Probacto is the best probiotic that I have ever run into. They use multiple strains and they are spore forming so they can last while not refrigerated. They do not use cheap bacteria, but expensive ones such as B. Subtilis.

Probacto also contains prebiotics to help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Probacto contains digestive enzymes to assist with candida die-off.

Probacto is enteric coated and made to be slow release so it will release in your gut gradually.

Best Probiotics For IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders which are difficult to manage. Nowadays, more healthcare experts have also been suggesting the use of probiotics to alleviate the symptoms caused by this disorder. Though the probiotics’ exact mechanism of action is still undiscovered, many believe that these good bacteria are very useful in treating the digestive disorder symptoms such as in the case of IBS. This is a huge help for patients because the symptoms are hard to live with. The relief provided by probiotics actually contributes in their quality of life.

Conclusion