Monday, February 23, 2015

How To Find The Best Probiotics For IBS

By Olivia Cross


Irritable bowel syndrome can be debilitating for sufferers who often experience a large reduction in their quality of life. Having chronic diarrhea for example, restricts a person's freedom and often means they miss work and important events because they just cannot leave the house. Research is pointing to the gut bacteria as the underlying cause so taking probiotics for IBS can be successful in restoring a normal life.

IBS refers to a collection of symptoms which include, diarrhea, stomach cramps, intestinal bloating, excessive gas, constipation and headaches. The effects can be debilitating and cause sufferers to miss work and have a diminished quality of life. It is estimated that in the United States around twenty percent of the population is suffering from this problem.

Doctors do not fully understand the causes yet but some research is starting to point to two main culprits. Food allergies or allergies seem to be playing a part so trying to cut out certain foods or taking an allergy test may improve symptoms. Also, research into gut flora is producing promising results.

This refers to the bacteria within the intestines which help to digest the food we eat. There is usually around three pounds of bacteria in the gut, this is a lot and so they must play an important role in processing food. Thanks to probiotic yogurt we have all heard of good bacteria and bad bacteria and researchers are now beginning to understand they they really do need to be in balance for optimum health.

If you decide to try probiotics then you may need to experiment with different strains of bacteria. Fortunately these are natural products and so do not have side effects and it is safe to try different ones. Make sure to take a reputable brand as not all probiotics are created equally.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome now has sub-divisions according to the most prevalent symptoms. There is IBS-D where the person has intense bouts of diarrhea and this is the main symptom. In this case the recommended probiotic is Saccharomyces Boulardii. It is prescribed in many hospitals for people who are experiencing diarrhea and has shown good results in helping with this type of IBS.

When constipation is the overriding problem then there is a probiotic called Bifidobacterium Lactis to take. Many try this along with a fibre supplement and have decent results. Constipation is not only extremely uncomfortable it is injurious to long term health. Some IBS patients have alternating symptoms and find that constipation can quickly switch to diarrhea. In this case they should try both of the probiotics or a general daily dose.

The best way to find the most effective probiotic is to start with these but if they do not work then try others. Science is only just beginning to understand how gut flora affects health and so the evidence is still sometimes confusing. However, they do not have known side effects so experimenting with different types and strengths is not going to make anyone more sick. There is nothing to lose and much to gain.




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