Probiotics are currently all the rage, especially in the world of those who have to cope with the unpleasant symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
IBS is a chronic condition that most commonly results in symptoms such as irregularity, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
There are many medical and natural remedies that can prove effective in relieving IBS symptoms, and an adequate intake of probiotics is one of the most common natural IBS treatments.
An Overview of IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that is marked by stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, as well as gas. Affecting over 20% of the world’s population, the root cause of IBS remains somewhat a mystery. Nonetheless, studies show that a host of factors play a role in its development, from certain food allergies and infections to overproduction of certain bacteria and gastrointestinal inflammation.
IBS is divided into three primary types according to their predominant symptom. It can either be constipation-predominant (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), or a combination of constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M).
An Overview of Probiotics
Your stomach is riddled with healthy bacteria (referred to as gut flora) that assume an essential role in your gastrointestinal health. However, some people’s gut flora can become imbalanced due to a variety of factors, leading to the production of harmful bacteria.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are present in certain foods. Consuming probiotics is not only safe but also beneficial to the growth and balance of healthy gut bacteria. Probiotics are good for the body in numerous ways; they promote cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health in addition to strengthening the immune system. Foods that have the highest content of probiotics are kefir, yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and all fermented products.
There are also probiotics supplements containing the types of the microorganisms known as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
The Role of Probiotics in the Treatment of IBS
A growing amount of research shows that probiotics can be highly effective in treating IBS and controlling its symptoms. A majority of IBS symptoms have been associated with various imbalances in the stomach bacteria. Moreover, over 80% of individuals with IBS experience symptoms due to an overproduction of certain harmful bacteria in their stomach.
Variations in the gut flora may bring on IBS symptoms by inciting inflammation, enhancing responsiveness to intestinal gas, impairing immune reaction, and affecting digestive movement. Probiotics, in turn, can offset these effects and ease IBS symptoms by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, boosting the immune system’s defenses, reducing inflammation, decelerating bowel contractions, lessening the production of gas by restoring gut flora, and lower the stomach’s responsiveness to excess intestinal gas.
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