Efficacy of an Encapsulated Probiotic in Women with IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 58 million people in the U.S. It is a condition of the digestive tract that is difficult to diagnose.

Common symptoms include abdominal pain, intestinal spasms, bloating, gas, abnormal bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, and bowel urgency. In the July 2006 issue of American Journal of Gastroenterology, a clinical study of 382 women with irritable bowel syndrome concluded that probiotics were significantly superior to placebo in treating the symptoms of IBS.

Specifically the study used Bifidobacteria Infantis (a common probiotic supplement) in capsule form. Patients taking the probiotic experienced relief from symptoms including abdominal pain and gastric bloating. The results of this study suggest that a commonly available dietary supplement (Bifidobacteria Infantis) may be an effective therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.