The benefits of probiotics for 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  

• Lactobacillus acidophilus 
• Bifidobacterium lactis 
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus paracasei. 

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

Choosing and using probiotics

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.

References

1. Chong PP, Chin VK, Looi CY, Wong WF, Madhavan P, Yong VC. The microbiome and irritable bowel syndrome–a review on the pathophysiology, current research and future therapy. Front Microbiol. 2019 Jun 10;10:1136. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01136/full  
2. Martoni CJ, Srivastava S, Leyer GJ. Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 improve abdominal pain severity and symptomology in irritable bowel syndrome: Randomized controlled trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):363. Published 2020 Jan 30. doi:10.3390/nu12020363 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32019158/
3. Ducrotté P, Sawant P, Jayanthi V. Clinical trial: Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2012;18(30):4012-4018. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i30.4012 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3419998/
4. Lombardo L, Vernetto A, Blanco I. Clinical evaluation of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19 with gluco-oligosaccharides in the short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease. 2009 Jan 1;21(1):28-32. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08910600802610815
5. Yoon JS, Sohn W, Lee OY, Lee SP, Lee KN, Jun DW, Lee HL, Yoon BC, Choi HS, Chung WS, Seo JG. Effect of multispecies probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Jan;29(1):52-9.