Yes, IBS sufferers should take probiotics in most cases. The exception is if they also suffer from SIBO, a common IBS trigger. Probiotics can worsen bacterial overgrowth in SIBO patients. Otherwise, probiotics are a beneficial option for IBS sufferers.
Probiotics are safe and effective in IBS patients, especially those used for a shorter duration such as for less than eight weeks; a higher dosage of a single probiotic strain seem to show greater benefits.
Probiotic strains provide different health benefits and have varying recommendations for how often to take them. For some conditions, like diarrhea or IBS, taking a dose twice a day may be recommended, but it is dependent on the specific probiotic supplement.
"While they may not work for everyone, several studies have demonstrated the positive influence of probiotics on reducing the symptoms of IBS," says Kumaran. "So it is definitely worth considering probiotics for IBS."
The probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v has been investigated in numerous clinical trials and found to improve common digestive symptoms such as gas and bloating. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v may also be suitable if you suffer from medically diagnosed IBS.
But probiotics don't initially work for a number of our clients and can often make symptoms worse in the short-term for those with significant gut dysfunction or bacterial dysbiosis.
For example, a review in Nutrients notes that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may notice the most benefit when taking probiotics for 8 weeks or more.
“Research has found probiotic supplements to be most effective when taken 20 to 30 minutes before a meal,” says Nelson. “Taking them before breakfast may be the preferred option, because your digestive system has been at rest for an extended period of time and the probiotic has less resistance reaching the intestines.”
Bottom line. We're all human—missing a day or two of probiotics could happen, and that's not the end of the world. That said, taking a probiotic supplement consistently every day may increase its effectiveness. * Plus, in addition to efficacy, sticking to a ritual has its perks.
The ideal time to take probiotics is right before bed because "the gut is pretty inactive at night.
Probiotics may influence the IBS symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, distension, flatulence, altered bowel movements, and gut microbiota[24]. The nature of probiotics explains their beneficial role in intestinal function as they can protect against pathogenic bacteria via their antimicrobial properties[25].
Regularly taking probiotics has generally been shown to be safe, according to the NIH, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The most common side effect is gas. Some cases of infections have resulted in severe illness in immunocompromised or severely ill patients after taking probiotics.
Depending on where you look, Yakult provides a range of health benefits. From boosting the immune system, to easing IBS symptoms. The research appears to weigh in favour of the asserted benefits, certainly more so than some other alternative treatments.
If the probiotic works for you, at the very least you should be seeing an improvement in your digestion within four weeks of taking the product. Side Effects: Some individuals experience minor side effects like mild bloating, flatulence or more frequent bowel movements for the first few days of taking a new probiotic.
High doses of probiotics can cause short-term discomfort in the gastrointestinal system due to excessive fermentation of carbohydrates, which is a feature of the most studied and represented strains in patients with IBS[95].
Symptoms can become worse, often during times of stress or after eating certain foods. You may find some of the symptoms of IBS ease after going to the toilet and moving your bowels.
Some things can make IBS symptoms worse. The two things most likely to make your IBS symptoms worse are the foods you eat and having emotional stress. Diet. Eating makes your colon muscles move or contract.
A diet that follows low FODMAP guidelines for a week or more can give your gut a break and a chance to heal. If you suspect you might have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), which can sometimes be responsible for IBS flareups, you may need to stay on this diet for as long as 7 weeks to rebalance your gut.