The Best Probiotics For IBS

By Olivia Cross


If you have been diagnosed with IBS then you may be wondering what your options are to reduce the symptoms. Your doctor cannot offer you a cure because there is no cure. Taking probiotics for IBS has resulted in diminished symptoms for a lot of people so you should investigate which one would be best for you.

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.

You are not alone, about twenty percent of Americans now have this diagnosis. This means that increasing funds are directed to research and in the last few years there have been a couple of reasons for hope. Allergies have been found to damage the gut and lead to IBS so you could try a food allergy test. It is also possible to check for allergies by cutting out different food groups one at a time and seeing what the results are.

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.

Taking probiotics is a way to re-balance for people who have too many bad bacteria. They are safe and do not have any side effects so it is a good place to start the search for a reduction in symptoms. There are many types of probiotic so it is important to take the most effective one for different types of IBS.

The best place to start is by trying the most effective one for the type of IBS that you have. IBS-D is when you suffer from chronic diarrhea and this is the most prevalent symptom. In this case you should try taking a probiotic called Saccharomyces Boulardii. It has been found to have excellent results in treating many kinds of diarrhea and is prescribed in hospitals.

If constipation is the main problem then a combination of fiber and Bifidobacterium Lactis is a good bet. It is important to treat constipation as it is not good for long term health. If you find that your problem swings between diarhhea and constipation then try both of these probiotcs. If that does not work then try a general daily probiotic.

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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