Which Probiotics are for IBS?

When choosing a probiotic, it is best to opt for one which has great research behind it. You want something that has been ‘scientifically tested’ - and rightly so! The best type of research to look for is a clinical trial, because it shows how the probiotic performs in real people with real health conditions, compared to a placebo.

So, with a probiotic for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) it is a good idea to look for one which has been shown in clinical trials to be beneficial for this condition. There are 4 categories of IBS that we will explore in this article:

• IBS-D
• IBS-C
• IBS-A
• IBS-U

Continue reading to find out which are the best IBS probiotic strains for each IBS subtype.

Can probiotics help IBS?

Probiotics, also known as live cultures, have been shown in many clinical trials to support the health of those with IBS. Different probiotic strains can be beneficial depending on the symptoms of IBS experienced and the properties of these strains. Clinical studies have shown that the best probiotic supplements for IBS contain strains such as:

• Saccharomyces boulardii
• Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12^®
• Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® 
• Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07^®
• Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
• Bifidobacterium lactis HN019
• Lactobacillus plantarum Lp299v^®

Which probiotics have been researched for IBS-related symptoms?

It is important to take a few things into account when looking at these trials, to help you make the best decision about which probiotic to choose. First of all, you should choose a probiotic with plenty of research which is of good quality. There are also different types of IBS, so it is essential to figure out what type of IBS you are dealing with. Then, you need to be aware that there are so many different types of probiotics (called different strains) and they all have different properties. In this article, we hope to make things clear for you by outlining the different types of IBS and then looking at which strains of probiotics have been shown in clinical trials to be best for supporting health with each type of IBS.

Probiotics for IBS-D 

Those with IBS presenting as frequent bouts of diarrhoea are suffering with IBS-D, which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Diarrhoea subtype). If this is something you suffer from, you may consider the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii which has been shown in many clinical trials to help support gut health in those with diarrhoea. This is a unique probiotic microorganism because it is a yeast – in fact, it is the only yeast which is friendly enough to be called a probiotic. It has over 50 years of research and is recommended in many hospitals in countries throughout mainland Europe for people with diarrhoea. As well as diarrhoea caused by IBS it has also been shown to be beneficial for diarrhoea associated Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and traveller’s diarrhoea.

It is also worth considering taking a general probiotic product containing friendly bacteria alongside S. boulardii. As mentioned above, S. boulardii is a friendly yeast, and as such, has very different properties to friendly bacteria. For example, S. boulardii does not colonise in the gut, it is instead considered to be a transient probiotic which moves through the gut without staying for long. So, whilst S. boulardii has properties which make it particularly helpful for those with IBS-D, it is also a good idea to take a probiotic containing friendly bacteria, which will colonise in the gut for much longer and boost gut health in general and support the work of S. boulardii.

Pediococcus acidilactici CECT 7483, Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7484 and Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7485 have also been shown in a clinical trial to benefit those with IBS-D¹³. This trial measured improvements in the quality of life of the participants, in relation to their IBS symptoms, which is thought to be one of the most accurate ways of measuring the effectiveness of the treatment.

Probiotics for IBS-C

Those with IBS who tend to suffer with regularity issues and constipation are suffering with IBS-C which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Constipation subtype). If this is something you suffer with, you may consider taking a natural supplement containing a specific probiotic strain called Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12^® which has so many clinical trials supporting it, that it is thought to be the most well-researched strain in the whole Bifidobacteria genus. In the clinical trials, this strain of probiotic has been shown to be particularly helpful for those with constipation and promoting more regular bowel movements, which are easy to pass, as well as supporting gut health in general.

Healthcare practitioners can find out more about B. lactis BB-12^® on the Probiotics Database.

One double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial involved over 100 women with a tendency towards constipation who were given a supplement including Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12^® and prebiotics¹⁴. Intestinal transit time (the time it takes for food to move through the gut and come out the other end as a bowel movement) decreased significantly in the probiotic group by -40.9% compared to the placebo group which saw a decrease of just -13.8%. This means that those who took the B. lactis BB-12^® supplement were no longer constipated and had normal bowel movements compared to those who took the placebo.

Probiotics for IBS-A

Many people with IBS find they have alternating constipation and diarrhoea. IBS-A stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Alternating digestive symptoms subtype). So, for a few days you may be constipated, but then once the bowels get moving you find you have to run to the loo until things settle down again. This is also known as IBS-M (M for mixed type).

One option is to try a high-quality, general, daily probiotic. Two strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07^® have been specifically trialled in those with IBS and shown to reduce bloating and abdominal distension¹⁵. In combination, they are ideal for anyone suffering from any type of IBS, not only to regulate bowel movements but to help specifically relieve the general symptoms of chronic bloating, abdominal distension, and abdominal cramps. Healthcare professionals can read more about Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07^®on the Probiotics Database. 

And even on its own L. acidophilus NCFM^® has been shown to be effective in improving symptoms of patients with IBS⁵:

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 is also known as 'Bifantis’ and has been researched in those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with positive results⁸. An 8-week trial with 75 participants associated B. infantis 35624 with a reduction in pain, discomfort, bloating and constipation. Healthcare practitioners can refer to Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, which has more information on this strain. 

A specific strain of the Lactobacillus plantarum species (L. plantarum Lp299v^®) has also been clinically trialled on participants with IBS and has been shown to reduce IBS symptoms¹⁶. A 4-week clinical trial of 60 IBS sufferers showed that those in the probiotic group had a decrease in flatulence and pain and more consistent bowel movements. Again, healthcare practitioners can visit the L. plantarum Lp299v^® to find out more.

It is worth noting that other L. plantarum strains will have been researched in different areas - e.g. L. plantarum CECT 7527, L. plantarum CECT 7528 and L. plantarum CECT 7529 have been clinically trialled and shown to reduce cholesterol levels, but have not been shown to be beneficial for those with IBS. We see the importance of choosing the most suitable strain of probiotic for any given condition. For more information on strain-specificity, you might be interested in The Cure-All Myth and The Strain Myth, in our Probiotics Myths section.

Probiotics for IBS-U

If the previous types of IBS do not sound quite like you, then you might be struggling with IBS-U which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Unsubtyped). This form of IBS is characterised by a stool consistency that doesn't fit into the other categories. In other words, you might experience both loose, watery stools and harder stools, but both less than 25% of the time. 

This type tends to be less common than the others but has similar causes, including diet, reduced gut motility, increased gastrointestinal sensitivity, or an imbalance of bacteria in the gut and bowels. There is also evidence to suggest a gut-brain connection¹⁷.

The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 has been researched for IBS, and more specifically to improve intestinal transit time¹⁰. This can help with the sluggish gut motility often associated with IBS-U. Healthcare professionals can learn more about Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on the Probiotics Database. 

IBS and bloating

Most people with all forms of IBS also suffer with some occasional bloating. At certain times the bloating can really flare up when aggravated by factors such as stress or eating particular foods, for example, gluten- or dairy-containing foods. However, there are many different high-quality probiotic strains that have been shown to alleviate and prevent bloating, including Lactococcus casei Rosell-1058 and Bifidobacterium infantis 35624. The former produces two specific enzymes to aid in the digestion of foods which often exacerbate bloating: α-glucosidase can help to digest starch (e.g. bread, pasta), and ß-galactosidase can help to digest lactose (e.g. milk, ice cream). Learn more by reading: Probiotics for bloating.

At the end of the day, everyone is different, and IBS sufferers will have different gut floras to one another. With probiotics, it is often a case of trial and error to find which species and strains work for that individual. There is no harm, in 'mixing and matching' different products - in fact, this can often be the best way of catering for the specific needs of the individual. For more information on this topic, see Is it possible to overdose on probiotics?

Prebiotics for IBS

A combination of probiotics and prebiotics, such as fructooligosaccharides, might also be beneficial for your IBS. Whilst typical sources of prebiotics, such as fermented foods, can serve to worsen IBS symptoms, it is important to include prebiotics in your diet to best support your gut bacteria. Prebiotics act as a food source for probiotics, and, as discussed above, probiotics can be extremely useful in helping to alleviate symptoms of IBS¹⁸. In one study¹⁹, it was found that IBS-related anxiety was reduced after 4 weeks of taking prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture. Therefore, you might consider finding ways of taking prebiotics that work for you, in foods like bananas and plantains for example, as these possess prebiotic qualities but at lower levels of fermentation. Learn more about prebiotics by reading: What are prebiotics?

Can probiotics make IBS worse?

Occasionally, probiotics containing prebiotics can worsen symptoms in those with IBS to start with. This should only last for a couple of days while the gut microbiome readjusts. For those who are on a low FODMAP diet, prebiotic supplementation is generally avoided at this time, but a purely probiotic supplement would not cause symptoms to worsen.

Probiotics and IBS in-depth

IBS affects our society in huge numbers - up to 20% of the UK population are sufferers, with women twice as likely to be affected as men. Common symptoms include bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort. The most used diagnostic method for IBS is the Rome criteria, which measures IBS by assessing stool frequency and consistency as well as abdominal discomfort. As we have seen above, the Rome criteria classifies IBS into these subtypes:

IBS-D (diarrhoea dominant); IBS-C (constipation dominant); IBS-A or IBS-M (alternating or mixed) & IBS-U (unspecified).

Although there is no clearly defined cause of IBS, many sufferers often report that symptoms are exacerbated by dietary factors such as wheat and dairy products, which are high in FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols), and lifestyle factors such as high stress levels, as well as an imbalance in good and bad bacteria in the gut. It can be a good idea to keep a food and symptom diary for a few weeks to see if you have any dietary triggers. 

Recent research may have found a link between IBS-D symptoms and a pathogenic bacterium called Brachyspira. This bacterium hides inside intestinal cells and is unaffected by antibiotic treatment. If more studies confirm this link between IBS symptoms and Brachyspira, researchers believe probiotics may become the future treatment²⁰.

Several studies have documented the link between gut microflora and IBS symptoms. Sufferers often have lower levels of beneficial gut bacteria e.g. Bifidobacterium species, and increased levels of gut pathogens e.g. Clostridium species. We have seen above how specific probiotics may support the reduction of specific IBS symptoms. Also supplementing with a high-quality probiotic may help to reduce IBS symptoms in the following ways:

• Probiotic bacteria give a huge boost to the numbers of friendly bacteria in the gut, so less space is available along the gut lining for colonisation of ‘bad’ microorganisms, which often cause excess gas production and digestive discomfort.

• Beneficial microflora help break down foods which may exacerbate IBS.

• Healthy gut flora may play a part in modulating the nervous system in the gut, called the enteric nervous system, therefore reducing the impact of stress on the gut, which is a key factor for many people with IBS.

NHS recommends probiotics for IBS

The NHS includes the use of probiotics as part of tips recommended to help relieve IBS symptoms²⁰.

This is a big milestone in the world of probiotics because, although probiotics are routinely prescribed in many European hospitals, it wasn’t always part of the NHS recommendations. The NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), which provides evidence-based guidelines/framework that many medical and health care professional work within, now recommends that probiotics can be used for at least 4 weeks for managing IBS related symptoms^21.

The NHS website states that: "Probiotics may help reduce bloating and flatulence in some people with IBS."

The inclusion of probiotics for IBS relief was due to the result of a systematic review by Moayyedi et al., published in 2010, which concluded that probiotics were effective in the management of IBS²².

Although it might take a little longer for probiotics to be recommended/prescribed by the NHS for other health issues, it is promising that the potential benefits of probiotics are being recognised and they are now being recommended for issues like IBS and symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Which probiotics are best for IBS?

Not sure which probiotic to take for IBS? If you are unsure which type of IBS you have and what probiotic would be best for you, then it would be a good idea to opt for a high-quality daily product containing probiotics supported with clinical trials. My personal favourite strain for IBS is Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 which has been shown to help with:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Gas/Bloating
• Poor gut motility
• Loose stools
• Bowel regularity

As you can see the clinical trial shows this is a great all-rounder and would be helpful to support all types of IBS, so ideally you would choose a daily product that has Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 in it.

So, to summarise, the probiotic strains you may wish to consider:

• For IBS-D - Saccharomyces boulardii
• For IBS-C - Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12^®
• For IBS-A/U - Bifidobacterium lactis HN019

Please note: if you are struggling with IBS, we advise you to seek advice and assistance from your healthcare practitioner in all instances.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like to read:

Natural Remedies for IBS

Healthcare professionals can find out more by reading the following article on the Probiotic Professionals site:

Probiotics for constipation

References

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