Are probiotics any good for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

These are beneficial bacteria used as a dietary supplement to balance the microflora of the gut, helping the digestive system to work more effectively.

Many bacteria, including Salmonella and E-coli are present in our gut and exist there harmlessly, but an imbalance or overpopulation can cause bloating, diarrhea, cramps and excessive gas.

It's not uncommon for people taking a course of antibiotics to suffer an upset stomach, and it is a fact that these drugs, while they are effective in destroying an infection, also destroy the ' helpful ' flora of the gut.

They include bifidus, lactobacillus and acidopilus and are apparently most effective in pill form, although they can also be bought as yogurts or as yogurt-drinks.

Some research suggests that they may lessen the severity of food allergies and intolerances, and may have a beneficial effect upon sufferers of both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis as well as help to reduce IBS symptoms.

Many IBS sufferers will experience very gassy stomach, possibly heartburn and indigestion.

They may also suffer acid reflux, and food will seem to go straight through them with ' touching the walls '.

Since biotics are helpful in maintaining a healthy digestive system, some people may find that a continuous intake of them alleviates the symptoms and pain of trapped gas and some other IBS symptoms.

I had taken a course of Acidophilus tablets many years ago, but apart from the odd pro-yogurt drink, had not consistently made them a supplement.

Last year, however, I began to suffer ear infections which up until August this year ( 08 ) required that I take several courses of antibiotics, and at one time, three different drugs one after the other, due to the severity of the infection.

One of these gave me swift-onset diarrhea, which was embarrassing and painful and I also developed thrush, ( which, apparently, is almost a given if one if on antibiotics ).

I bought acidolpilus tablets from the health stores and found that after a couple of weeks, my digestion was working a lot better. ( It does take about two weeks for the bacteria to colonize the gut )

Further into the course, my usual trapped gas, belching and reflux was negligible.

I would not say that it helped the cramping/diarrhearal effects of my Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it certainly calmed my upper stomach to a very noticeable degree.

I personally would recommend them, not as a ' cure ' for IBS, but as something which can certainly helps the gas and acid of the upper stomach.

Are probiotics any good for Iirritable Bowel Syndrome?