We’re often asked questions about probiotics and IBS, such as “Can you treat IBS with probiotics?”, “Should IBS sufferers take probiotics?”, and simply “Are probiotics good for IBS?”! The answer is that probiotics have been shown in many clinical trials to support the symptoms of IBS, and most people find them helpful. Probiotics are fine to take alongside most prescription and over the counter medications for IBS, and are a safe, natural option to try. However, if you think you have IBS, you should always have your symptoms diagnosed by a doctor first.
When searching for probiotics for IBS symptoms, it is very important to find supplements which are supported by a lot of research. There is a need for probiotic strains which are also known as live cultures or friendly bacteria which are scientifically backed. The supporting research should be in the form of clinical trials rather than only laboratory studies, because these predict how the probiotic performs in real people with real health conditions, compared to a placebo.
The best probiotic for IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) contains strains which have been shown in clinical trials to offer benefits for the symptoms of IBS, such as occasional constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
There are mainly five types of IBS that are:
• IBS-D – Diarrhea predominant
• IBS-C – Constipation predominant
• IBS-A – Alternating between constipation and diarrhea
• IBS-U – Unspecified, you may have varying symptoms
• Post-infectious IBS
Different probiotic strains can be beneficial for different symptoms of IBS. Clinical studies show that one of the best probiotic supplements for IBS contains the strain Lactobacillus plantarum Lp299v® Lactobacillus plantarum strains are commonly found in the gastro-intestinal tract. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of studies which have suggested that 78.1% of the patients scored the L. plantarum 299v symptomatic effect (particularly of abdominal pain and bloating) as excellent or good v/s only 8.1 % for placebo. L.plantarum 299v mainly binds to specific receptors in the gut and impacts the Immune System, Nutrient Uptake, and overall Microbial Ecosystem. As we know the reported prevalence of IBS varies from 4.2%-7.5% in India.
Benefits associated with LP299v:
• Reduction of abdominal pain
• Reduction of bloating
• Reduction of gas formation
• Normalization of stool frequency
Key takeaway
Probiotics are considered a safe complementary treatment for IBD. Probiotics works by inhibiting microbial pathogens growth, increasing epithelial tight junction and permeability. Various probiotics were tested and satisfactory effects were observed with use of them. They are safe to be used in IBD conditions. In addition to relieving symptoms, probiotics have been demonstrated to improve the quality of life (QOL) and diversify the microbial community.
