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Align contains Bifidobacteria infantis which is also contained in VSL#3. In clinical trials this bacteria by itself in the concentration contained in Align and VSL#3 has been shown to have beneficial effects for IBS.
The effectiveness of a probiotic is not dependant how many different bacteria it contains but which bacteria it contains. Many of the probiotics sold in HFS contain probiotics that are untested and in low concentrations.
A recent study concluded:
In summary, the literature confirms the potential benefit of Bifidobacteria [e.g. Align] alone or the specific probiotic combination, VSL#3, on symptoms in IBS without the induction of significant changes in bowel function
The amount of sugar and milk protien in Align is miniscule unlikely to cause problems for most IBS suffers.
Reference
Quigley, E. M. M. and B. Flourie, 2007: Probiotics and irritable bowel syndrome: a rationale for their use and an assessment of the evidence to date. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 19, 166-172.
Santosa, S., E. Farnworth, and P. Jones, 2006: Probiotics and their potential health claims. Nutrition Reviews, 64, 265-274.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Many IBS studies have shown that certain kinds of bacteria found in the flora of the large bowel when taken orally in high enough concentrations may reduce the symptoms of IBS. In some case the amount of these good bacteria can be increased by consuming certain prebiotics (e.g. some SF supplements are prebiotics).
Heather talks about it on this web page.
You can read more about this in research library. For example see following library entry
http://www.helpforibs.com/messageboards/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=library&Number=56178&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=&vc=1
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Syl what probiotic do you take? I want to take something that is friendly for those with fructose issues.. which is what it seems i have.. this diet works wonders! i feel normal!!!
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Pud
Long Island
IBS-D & SIBO - main symptom GAS 
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At the moment I don't take any probiotics. If I was going to try one it would be Align or VSL#3.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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There are other benefits to the other probiotics used in theralac and VSL#3. If the bifidus in Align doesn not affect your particular condition it will not be effective. It also takes multiple billions of probiotics to actively implant in the colon. The addition of artificial coloring is enough to turn me off to that company.
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Just a note, if you're looking for B. Infantis you may want to look at children's probiotics. The Infantis bacteria is the only one recommended for infants, so children's probiotics tend to contain this in higher concentration. They also tend to be cheaper than Align or VSL#3.
One that I've seen: Udo's Choice Infant's Blend
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Kat
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Ah - ha - that is interesting. I checked the Udo's but for some reason they only sell to US residents. I will keep looking. Thank you 
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I see the Udo's Choice probiotics all the time in health food stores (I live in Ottawa). It's always available at Natural Food Pantry, and I've seen it at Rainbow foods.
I have seen others but can't think of the brand names right now. Next time I'll have a closer look.
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Kat
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OK - I will check some HFS here in Saskatoon. When I checked last year the choice was limited.
By the way - I too found that my IBS wasn't so problematic when I was in China for a few weeks. This is interesting given that the frequency of IBS seems to be the same across racial, ethnic and national boundaries.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Is anyone familiar w/the Whole Foods Co-Op brand? It's called Suprema Dophilus & contains 4 billion cells.....
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