Which Probiotics Are Best For IBS?

Probiotics are a great and effective natural supplement that in recent years have made their way into many of your daily routines. When it comes to choosing the best probiotics for such concerns such as IBS, also known as irritable bowel syndrome, it is advised by many to undertake some research before deciding on the right strain for you. 

Ideally you should opt for the probiotic that has the most scientifically tested throughout various clinical trials featuring people who have expressed concerns with suffering from IBS or similar bowel conditions. There are over 5 different categories of IBS which means it’s more important that ever to consult with a doctor to receive the correct diagnosis before introducing any new supplements.

Now, let’s investigate further into the different types of probiotics and get a better idea of which would be the optimal choice for combating any IBS conditions you may suffer from. If you are wanting to know more about what probiotics do and their health benefits, check out our dedicated blog post over on the website.

What is IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that is known for disrupting the digestive system and can often affect a lot of us. The most common side effects are stomach cramps, diarrhoea, bloating and constipation, all of which can become lifelong concerns that can be treated by making beneficial swaps to your diet and additions to your routine, such as supplements and medicines.

The trouble with IBS is the exact cause of it is still unknown. It’s often linked with things such stress, an oversensitive gut, family history of IBS, and even how slowly or quickly various types of food pass through your gut.

What causes IBS flareups?

By figuring out what causes IBS flareups it’s a good idea to understand which type you are suffering from. Here are some examples of the most common types of IBS.

• IBS-D Diarrhoea predominant
• IBS-A Alternating between constipation and diarrhoea
• IBS-C Constipation predominant
• IBS-U Unspecified meaning you can have a variety of symptoms
• Post-infectious IBS

With the help of a doctor, you will be able to establish the type of IBS you are suffering from making it a little easier for you to find the best probiotic to give you optimal results.

What is the best probiotic for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

As I have already mentioned, different types of irritable bowel syndrome require different probiotic strains to treat any concerns. We’ll now go into a little more detail about this which will hopefully help you gain a better understanding. If you find you still need more information or advice, I strongly suggest you consult with a doctor for peace of mind.

The best probiotics for IBS-A

For many who suffer from IBS-A they will experience a mixture of constipation and diarrhoea. This may be the fact you are constipated for a few days, and the other you can’t be too far away from the toilet. For this type of IBS, there are two strains of probiotics for you to take to help settle and calm the microbiome of the gut. Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 both of which have had clinical trails to establish how effective they are at combating IBS and similar concerns.

When suffering from IBS-A you’ll find that symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, and abdominal distension are significantly reduced and by maintaining your probiotic intake will ensure these symptoms remain reduced. However, like all concerns and medications, even as natural as probiotics, it is vital you check with your doctor before taking anything.

The best probiotics for IBS-D

IBS-D is considered one of the most common with frequent bouts of diarrhoea being the main problem. For this you will find that the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii has been proven to support your gut health and calm any flare-ups in IBS-D whilst stopping diarrhoea experienced.

With S. boulardii not colonising in the gut, but instead works its way through quite quickly it is thought to use this probiotic with any existing yeast extracts or supplements you already take. This will not only boost your general gut health, but you will also find that with Saccharomyces boulardii being yeast friendly, it won’t interfere with your already established routine.

The best probiotics for IBS-C

If you suffer with IBS-C then the issues you will experience is regular problems with constipation the best probiotic strain for you is Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12. This strain has been known for helping with concerns with constipation by promoting regular bowel movements as well as improving the overall health of the gut.

The best probiotics for IBS-U

This form of IBS is not as common, but can affect a few of us, especially if you find the irregularity of your bowel movements to prevent you from living your life. IBS-U can often occur from a number of concerns, from your diet, imbalance in good and bad bacteria in the gut, increased sensitivity in the gut, and just general slow gut productiveness.

The best strain of probiotics to introduce into your daily routine is Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 as this is known for helping general gut health as well as kick starting any sluggish or slow-moving guts.

The best probiotics for post-infectious IBS

Post-infectious IBS is considered the most common with many experiencing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome after contracting an infection or illness. This can result in frequent diarrhoea or constipation, and it is thought difficult to establish how long you’ll suffer from this IBS. There are some factors to consider, such as how severe the infection was, if you are female, if you smoke, or have had immense stress or changes in your day-to-day life in the last three months. Because of this, the best strain of probiotics to use is saccharomyces boulardii as this is the easiest one to fit into your daily routine and can work effectively alongside other supplements that you already take.

There you have a little more detail about the best probiotics to use to help combat the various forms of IBS that can affect many of us. As I have already mentioned, always ensure you have consulted with a doctor before making any chances or having any additional supplements to your daily routine. Don’t forget to come and follow us over on Instagram for more product launches, discounts, and giveaways!