Probiotics help rebalance your gut microbiome and reduce dysbiosis. That, in turn, may improve your health in various ways. Studies on probiotics show benefits for lots of different health problems. One big place they can help is with digestive conditions such as IBS.
IBS is a complicated condition. It causes different symptoms, and it has different triggers for everyone. It’s thought that gut dysbiosis might be at the root because it’s common among those who suffer from IBS. Also, they tend to have similar changes in their microbiome.1
Researchers suspect dysbiosis might weaken your gut and allow harmful bacteria in. It might also affect your gut-brain axis. With IBS, that may cause problems with the nerves and muscles in your digestive tract. Dysbiosis might also make you more sensitive to pain as your intestines stretch to allow food and gas to pass through.
Each species and strain of probiotic has its own superpower, so it’s important to match your probiotic to your health condition. Several species can reduce IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, pain, and bloating. They also help you have more regular bowel movements. Some of these include:2,3,4
Probiotic supplements that combine more than one IBS-specific species, as having a diverse microbiome, have been shown to be beneficial and might be more helpful at improving symptoms.5
There are a lot of probiotics available, and it can be a source of confusion when it comes to choosing the right one for you. Before you reach for your wallet, check with your doctor or healthcare provider.
It’s also helpful to work with a medical provider specialising in gut health, especially if you have IBS.
Finally, because probiotics contain live microorganisms, it’s essential to store them properly and only use them as directed within the timeframe suggested on the label.
Probiotics and prebiotics are so much more than a passing health trend. The research on the gut microbiome is mounting, and it’s clear that the right probiotics can provide significant health benefits for digestive, as well as health issues.
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Lifestyle insight
The health of our gut is central to our overall good health. A healthy gut is able to digest the foods you eat, absorb the nutrients and then use those nutrients to fuel all the other cells in your body.1 If your gut isn’t healthy or working optimally, it can have wide-ranging effects on your health.