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The best probiotics for IBS, according to a nutritionist
OptiBac Probiotics specialise entirely in probiotics. One of their core values is encouraging people to take health into their own hands in a responsible manner. Training and education is a cornerstone of this, and with their expertise, they hope to help raise awareness of probiotics and their potential to help change lives.
2024
Abstract
This blog post provides a high level overview of how probiotics might help IBS (and also whether they might worsen symptoms), and reviews the evidence for specific probiotic strains for each type of IBS i.e. IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-A/M and IBS-U. There are links throughout to obtain more in-depth information on the condition and the probiotic strains via the Probiotic Professionals site.
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Disruption of the Gut Ecosystem by Antibiotics.
Yoon, MY, Yoon, SS
Yonsei medical journal. 2018;59(1):4-12
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The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of different micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, living in the human intestines. It’s involved in numerous functions, such as extracting energy and nutrition from food, protecting against disease-causing microorganisms, and supporting the immune system of the host, and therefore affecting human health and disease. This paper is a review of studies on the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota. It outlines how different types of antibiotics can alter the intestinal environment and the composition of the microbes, resulting in various physiological changes that can trigger disease. Relevant mechanisms, such as inflammatory response and the use of intestinal nutrients by infectious bacteria are discussed. Finally, it discusses faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotics as treatment approaches, aimed at restoring a disturbed intestinal environment.
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem consisting of various microorganisms that expands human genetic repertoire and therefore affects human health and disease. The metabolic processes and signal transduction pathways of the host and intestinal microorganisms are intimately linked, and abnormal progression of each process leads to changes in the intestinal environment. Alterations in microbial communities lead to changes in functional structures based on the metabolites produced in the gut, and these environmental changes result in various bacterial infections and chronic enteric inflammatory diseases. Here, we illustrate how antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of antibiotic-associated diseases by driving intestinal environment changes that favor the proliferation and virulence of pathogens. Understanding the pathogenesis caused by antibiotics would be a crucial key to the treatment of antibiotic-associated diseases by mitigating changes in the intestinal environment and restoring it to its original state.
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Better Understanding and Recognition of the Disconnects, Experiences, and Needs of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (BURDEN IBS-C) Study: Results of an Online Questionnaire.
Quigley, EMM, Horn, J, Kissous-Hunt, M, Crozier, RA, Harris, LA
Advances in therapy. 2018;35(7):967-980
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Constipation-dominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) is a common digestive disorder with symptoms including abdominal pain and cramping, bloating and constipation. This study was conducted to better understand the experiences of IBS-C sufferers in comparison to the perceptions and challenges of healthcare providers (HCPs) who treat IBS-C patients. An online questionnaire was used to survey 1,311 individuals with IBS-C, and 331 HCPs in the US. 86% of patients had used over-the-counter treatments for their IBS-C. Most patients were not satisfied with over-the-counter or prescription medication, due to inadequate efficacy and side effects such as diarrhoea. IBS-C respondents most commonly reported feeling frustrated and stressed, with their symptoms impacting productivity and personal activity, four and three days a month, respectively. Prior to seeking medical treatment, none of the IBS-C patients had tried a FODMAP diet to manage their symptoms, 6% had tried a gluten-free diet, 17% used pre- or pro-biotics, and 33% used other dietary changes to help manage their IBS-D. The most common treatment recommendation by HCPs was general dietary changes (for example caffeine reduction, prunes or laxative teas, 50%), followed by exercise (39%) and pre- or pro-biotics (24%). Gluten-free and FODMAP diets were recommended by HCPs in 8% and 2% of cases, respectively. Most HCPs (79%) were not satisfied with the prescription treatments available for IBS-C. These results suggest that current management pathways may not be adequately addressing the symptoms and needs of individuals with IBS-C. Additional treatment options and improved dialogue would be beneficial to HCPs and patients.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The BURDEN IBS-C study was conducted to better understand the experiences, attitudes, and unmet needs of sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in comparison to the perceptions and challenges of healthcare providers (HCPs) who treat IBS-C patients. METHODS This was an author-developed, online questionnaire using KnowledgePanel® to survey individuals with IBS-C (N = 1311). HCPs participated in a complementary online questionnaire and were recruited separately (N = 331). The study was fielded from June 29, 2016, to January 30, 2017. RESULTS Most patients had used (86%) and/or were using (76%) over-the-counter treatments for their IBS-C, with 12% currently on prescription therapy. At the time this study was conducted, 66% and 63% were not satisfied/completely satisfied with over-the-counter or prescription treatment, respectively, citing inadequate efficacy (55%) and side effects (39%), most commonly diarrhea, as common reasons for dissatisfaction. IBS-C respondents most commonly reported feeling frustrated (43%) and stressed (28%) regarding IBS-C, though 39% were accepting of IBS-C as part of daily life. HCPs were aligned with patients in thinking that patients were frustrated (76%) and stressed (65%) but HCPs were less likely to recognize that patients had become accepting of their IBS-C (13%). Most HCPs (79%) were not satisfied/completely satisfied with the prescription treatments available at the time this study was conducted. Inadequate response rates to current therapies (55%) and treatment adherence/compliance issues (58%) were the most frequent challenges encountered by HCPs. IBS-C respondents reported that their symptoms impacted productivity and personal activity, on average, 4 and 3 days/month, respectively. CONCLUSION These results suggest that current management pathways may not be adequately addressing the symptoms and needs of individuals with IBS-C, most notably side effects and lack of efficacy. Patients and HCPs expressed dissatisfaction with over-the-counter and prescription treatments available at the time this study was conducted. Additional treatment options and improved dialogue would be beneficial to HCPs and patients. FUNDING Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome: An individual subject meta-analysis.
Cayzeele-Decherf, A, Pélerin, F, Leuillet, S, Douillard, B, Housez, B, Cazaubiel, M, Jacobson, GK, Jüsten, P, Desreumaux, P
World journal of gastroenterology. 2017;23(2):336-344
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder with various symptoms, affecting a significant number of the population. Gut bacteria are known to play a role in triggering the syndrome and research is exploring the manipulation of the gut microbiome in treating and managing symptoms. One yeast strain of interest is Saccharomyces Cerevisiae CNCM-I 3856. This meta-analysis of 2 randomised controlled trial, including 579 patients diagnosed with IBS, aimed to confirm previous conclusions on the effectiveness of supplementation of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on typical IBS-C (constipation predominant IBS) symptoms. The pooled results showed a statistically significant improvement in abdominal pain, bloating and stool consistency when compared to placebo, after 2 months. It is important to note that positive effects were not reported after 1 month, but required 2 months of supplementation. When compiling nutrition protocols for IBS patients, Nutrition Practitioners need to take account of the length of intervention required to have the desired impact, as well as the choice of protocol itself.
Abstract
AIM: To confirm previous conclusions on Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) CNCM I-3856 for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) management. METHODS An individual patient data meta-analysis was performed on two randomized clinical trials studying the effect of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in IBS subjects. A total of 579 IBS subjects were included. Outcomes were the daily Likert scale scores of abdominal pain/discomfort and bloating [area under the curve (AUC) and weekly means], responder status, and bowel movements (stool frequency and consistency). Statistical analyses were conducted in Intent to Treat (ITT) population, IBS-C subjects and IBS-C subjects with an abdominal pain/discomfort score higher than or equal to 2 at baseline ("IBS-C ≥ 2 subpopulation"). RESULTS S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 significantly improved abdominal pain/discomfort and bloating during the second month of supplementation [AUC (W5-W8)] with improvement up to the minimal clinically relevant threshold of 10%: a 12.3% reduction of abdominal pain/discomfort in the ITT population compared to the Placebo group (P = 0.0134) has been observed. In the IBS-C ≥ 2 subpopulation, there were a 13.1% reduction of abdominal pain/discomfort and a 14.9% reduction of bloating compared to the Placebo group (P = 0.0194 and P = 0.0145, respectively). GI symptoms significantly decreased during supplementation but no statistical differences were reported between groups at the end of the supplementation period. Responder status was defined as a subject who experienced a decrease of 1 arbitrary unit (a.u.) or 50% of the abdominal discomfort score from baseline for at least 2 wk out of the last 4 wk of the study. A significant difference between groups was reported in the ITT population, when considering the first definition: subjects in the Active group had 1.510 higher odds to be a responder (reduction of 1 a.u. of abdominal pain/discomfort) compared with subjects in the Placebo group (P = 0.0240). At the end of supplementation period, stool consistency in the Active group of the ITT population was significantly improved and classified as "normal" compared to Placebo (respectively 3.13 ± 1.197 a.u. vs 2.58 ± 1.020 a.u., P = 0.0003). Similar results were seen in the IBS-C ≥ 2 subpopulation (Active group: 3.14 ± 1.219 a.u. vs Placebo group: 2.59 ± 1.017 a.u., P = 0.0009). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis supports previous data linking S. cerevisiae I-3856 and improvement of GI symptoms, in IBS overall population and in the IBS-C and IBS-C ≥ 2 subpopulations.