Stomach issues are a common problem experienced by a variety of different people. Although it can exist in many forms, it is something that no one has to deal with — especially when it hampers your ability to go about your day to day life. When attempting to solve these issues, many people look towards changes such as adding more fiber to their diet. While these actions certainly help, there is one area that is arguably more important than any of the others: the health of your gut.
One great way to promote this health is by way of probiotics. Probiotics for IBS are live, active bacteria that can be introduced to your body through supplements and food. They are able to inhibit positive effects due to how they interact with your gut microbiome (this is the system of trillions of cells of bacteria that naturally exist in your large intestine). An unbalanced microbiome can cause serious issues such as inflammation. The probiotics work to add a healthy balance between the bacteria to prevent these problems and keeps away intrusive pathogens that can make you sick. These include harmful bacteria that could be what is causing your stomach problems.
Can probiotics help IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the main conditions that leads to consistent stomach issues. It can cause symptoms such as constipation, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and bloating. While there is currently no cure for IBS, probiotics have been shown to lessen its effects and relieve the symptoms it brings about. When probiotics for IBS introduce live bacteria that improve the health of the gut lining, it is able to become stabilized, balancing your pH and targeting these bothersome symptoms.
Probiotics can help IBS as a whole, but there are certain strains that can relieve individual symptoms better than others:
B.infantis 35624: targets abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, and straining
- lactis BB-12:targets poor gut motility, bowel irregularity, and straining
- boulardii: targets loose stools
- bifidum MIMBb75:targets abdominal pain and discomfort along with bloating
- lactis DN-173010:targets gastrointestinal transit issues, constipation, and bloating
- Plantarum Lp299v:targets gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and bowel irregularities
Having a better idea of what each of these strains is able to specifically address can aid in helping you choose products that will resolve your individual problems in an efficient manner.
Can probiotics help bloating?
A common stomach issue, and one that is closely related to IBS, is bloating. This is usually caused by fermentation of food by gut bacteria. When your microbiome is unbalanced, the types of bacteria that inhibit this fermentation become more prevalent. Clinical trials have shown that supplements containing strains such as Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, B. bifidum MIMBb75, and B. lactis DN‐173 010 can reduce the severity of bloating and gas within people who suffer from IBS.
Can probiotics help flatulence?
Similar to bloating, excess flatulence can be caused due to bacteria that is found in your large intestine. Undigested food and dietary fibers that are difficult to digest are broken down by your microbiome. Gas is produced from these bodily processes which can lead to an increased amount of flatulence while also resulting in abdominal pain. Probiotics — particularly those containing the strain L. plantarum 299v — can aid in relieving these problems.
Can probiotics help constipation?
Another subset of IBS that many sufferers are probably familiar with is constipation. This is a digestive disorder that creates problems such as cramping, bloating, and most notably: difficulty passing stools. Multi strain probiotics have been shown to balance gut health and target this issue effectively. This is especially possible when using probiotics that produce lactic acid. They reduce the severity of the problem by making the stools more regular so that they are easier to pass.
Which probiotic is best for stomach issues?
Before deciding on a probiotic that will work best for you, there are a few important things to consider. There are different types of stomach problems and forms of IBS which means different probiotics are suitable for their individual side effects. Researching the different strains of probiotics as well as understanding what specific stomach problems you need to be solved can help you make a more accurate decision. Before jumping into supplements, talk to your dietician or nutritionist to make sure they are right for you. When picking a supplier, go with a company that is dedicated to high quality ingredients and procedures that ensure health and safety.