Considering Probiotics? What You Must Know First

MOST EVIDENCE SUGGESTS PROBIOTICS ARE USEFUL FOR IBS
In RCTs, probiotic supplements—but not yogurt containing probiotics—reduced IBS symptoms. Research suggests that imbalances in GI flora, along with subsequent dysfunction in intestinal barriers and translocation of intestinal flora, may play a role in symptoms associated with IBS, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea/constipation.²⁰ There are few effective therapeutic options for patients with IBS.

In a systematic review of 19 RCTs (N = 1,650), probiotics were significantly more effective than placebo for patients with IBS, with an NNT of 4.²¹ This review did not evaluate the difference between various probiotic species and strains.

In an RCT (N = 122), the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 was found to be safe and beneficial for treating IBS symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life.²⁰ On a 7-point scale of global assessment of IBS symptoms, the score was reduced by 0.88 points in the group that received B bifidum MIMBb75 and 0.16 points in the placebo group (P < .0001). Almost half (47%) of the patients who received B bifidum MIMBb75 reported adequate relief, compared to 11% in the placebo group (P < .0001).

An RCT (N = 179) that compared yogurt containing probiotics to nonprobiotic yogurt found that the former had no benefits for treating IBS symptoms.²³ After four weeks, 57% of patients who ate the probiotic yogurt reported adequate relief, compared to 53% of those who ate nonprobiotic yogurt (P = .71). After eight weeks, those numbers were 47% and 68%, respectively.²³

REFERENCES
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3. Bayer HealthCare. Phillip’s Colon Health product information. http://phillipspro.com/en/home/product-information/index.php. Accessed May 19, 2015.
4. Nature’s Bounty. Nature’s Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic product label. http://images.vitaminimages.com/cdn/sd/pdf/L002610-NB.PDF. Ac­cessed May 19, 2015.
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