Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition typically given to describe a cluster of digestive symptoms where the cause is unknown. Bloating, stomach cramps, inconsistent bowel movements and excessive gas are some common symptoms. They can be chronic or sporadic. There isn’t yet an established treatment protocol for IBS in conventional medicine. Individuals are typically recommended to record triggers that may instigate IBS and avoid them.
However, complimentary care such as Nutritional Therapy and Functional Medicine recognize the potential of probiotics for supporting IBS. Lactobacillus Acidophilus DDS1 combined with Bifidobacterium strains, was shown to help manage symptoms of IBS in an open label study[1]. The most significant improvement was documented at 8 weeks of ingestion demonstrating 84% improvement in abdominal pain, 73.9% in bloating, 92% in belching, 88% in flatulence, 90.9% in diarrhea and 86.9% in constipation. Suffice to say, Lactobacillus Acidophilus DDS1 shows incredible promise for individuals suffering from IBS.
These findings were mimicked most recently in a randomised double blind placebo control human trial in January 2020.[2] At 10 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) a day, Lactobacillus Acidophilus DDS1 reduced abdominal pain severity by 36.1% compared to 12.2% in the placebo group at just 6 weeks of intervention. The same study demonstrated normalization of stool consistency and improved regularity at 6 weeks.
IBS can take a mental toll on individuals. The same study sought to measure the impact of Lactobacillus Acidophilus DDS1 probiotics in improving quality of life. It concluded a statistically significant report of subjects taking DDS1 and an improvement in the daily quality of their life.
References:
[1] Nagala R, Routray C. US Gastroenterol Hepatol Rev 2011;7:36-7. [2] Martoni, CJ, Srivastava, S, Leyer, GJ, Nutrients 2020 12, 363
Disclaimer: The statements made in this blog post are for educational and entertainment purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose or treat any individual or condition. If you are concerned about your health please consult your licensed medical doctor before changing your diet or taking supplements. This website uses affiliate links, which means the author may earn from products and services recommended although it should be noted that this is not at an additional cost to the consumer.