Good bacteria for irritable bowel

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A preparation containing a beneficial microbe can be used to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Two new drugs, tegaserod and alosetron, have recently been approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition marked by diarrhea, cramping and constipation. Now a study from University College, Cork, Ireland, shows that a drink containing a probiotic bacterium has much the same benefit.

A group of 75 patients with IBS took a malted milk drink with either Bifidobacterium infantis or with Lactobacillus salivarius or without any bacteria added each morning for eight weeks. The Bifidobacterium mixture was better than the malted drink alone in reducing overall symptoms. But there was no difference between the Lactobacillus drink and the malted drink alone. The probiotic drink approach may provide a welcome option for patients with IBS.

Source
Gastroenterology March 2005

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.