Beneficial Bacteria that Reside in Your Digestive Tract

Calling in the pros...

Probiotics, those beneficial bacteria that reside in your digestive tract and keep things running smoothly, can be helpful in eliminating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Scientists have just discovered that a particular strain of probiotic is useful in stabilizing the frequency of constipation or diarrhea that IBS sufferers endure.

The particular strain of bacteria, called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, was shown to have a significant effect on normalizing the frequency of bowel movements for patients who had either very frequent or very few bowel movements. Scientists called the finding unique, and stated that no other agents used or tested in IBS before has shown effectiveness for treating both those with constipation and those with diarrhea. Bowel improvement was also accompanied by significant lessening of other symptoms, such as pain and bloating.

Researchers noted that the probiotic treatment also was able to restore the immune balance and reverse the severe inflammation of the colon in both IBS patients and lab animals with ulcerative colitis.

If studies continue to show true efficacy for probiotics in managing IBS, researchers said it will represent a "major step forward" in treatment.
 
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 What is...irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome affects nearly 58 million people, but far more women than men that suffer from this condition. Symptoms can include constipation, diarrhea (or both), pain, indigestion, bloating, excessive gas, nausea, abdominal distention, fecal mucus, and a feeling of that the bowel has not emptied completely. Symptoms can be brought on or aggravated by stress.

It is thought that IBS is a consequence of the gastrointestinal tract moving more slowly or quickly than average. The reason for this remains unclear. The condition is not life-threatening and will not lead to other serious diseases, but there is no cure. Treatment involves managing the symptoms of the condition.

Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Editorial Director
Nutrition & Healing