here is a compilation of what i found about medical studies of probiotics supplement to fight IBS symptoms:
In a single-blind trial, researchers evaluated SCM-III, a probiotic containing a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Bifidobacterium, versus placebo in 68 subjects for 12 weeks.[12] At 12 weeks, patients and physicians scored overall effectiveness on a 5-point scale. More than 80% of subjects considered SCM-III effective or very effective (p<0.01 for 12 wks vs baseline and for treatment vs control groups). Physicians' scores were similar to the patients' scores.
In a double-blind trial, 103 patients were randomly selected to receive either placebo or a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG, Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain LC705, Bifidobacterium breve strain Bb99, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subspecies shermanii JS for 6 months.[13] Subjects recorded symptom scores for 1 week each month. From baseline to 6 months, overall symptom scores for abdominal pain, distention, flatulence, and borborygmi (rumbling sounds in the intestines produced by movement of gas) decreased by 7.7 points (95% confidence interval -13.9 to -1.6) with treatment relative to placebo (p=0.015). In addition, the total symptom score declined in 76% of patients given treatment versus 43% of patients receiving placebo at 6 months (p=0.002).
In a dose-ranging study, 362 patients were randomly chosen to receive placebo or Bifidobacterium infantis at a dose of 1 x 106, 1 x 108, or 1 x 1010 colony-forming units (cfu)/ml for 4 weeks.[14] Overall IBS symptom scores (determined on a 6-point Likert scale) were measured daily. At week 4, composite scores were reduced by 2.12 points with B. infantis 1 x 108 cfu/ml and 1.27 points with placebo (p<0.02 vs baseline score). The authors concluded that B. infantis at a dose of 1 x 108 cfu/ml was significantly better at improving IBS symptoms than placebo and all other doses. The 1 x 1010-cfu/ml dose had notable formulation problems that may have affected the results. This possibility highlights the importance of quality control standards for the dietary supplement industry and the need for testing the specific product to be used in practice.
In another trial, 40 patients were randomly designated to receive either Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (ProViva; Probi AB, Lund, Sweden) or placebo for 4 weeks.[15] Overall symptoms of IBS partially or completely resolved in 95% of patients using of L. plantarum 299v versus 15% given placebo (p<0.0001).
In a three-armed study, investigators compared probiotic formulations of Lactobacillus salivarius or B. infantis with placebo in 75 patients with IBS diagnosed by using the Rome II criteria.[16] This study consisted of a 4-week run-in period, 8 weeks of treatment, and a 4-week washout period. Patient-assessed symptom scores were collected daily by using a Likert scale and a visual analog scale. Composite symptom scores were significantly reduced among patients receiving Bifidobacterium throughout the treatment period and into the first week of the washout period versus those receiving placebo (p<0.05). This change was not observed in the Lactobacillus group at any time during the study.
In a double-blind trial, 18 patients were randomly selected to take L. acidophilus (Lacteol Fort; Axcan Pharma, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada) or placebo for 6 weeks followed by a 2- week washout, and a crossover period for another 6 weeks.[17] Mean symptom scores improved in significantly more patients in the Lactobacillus group than in the placebo group (50% vs 5%, p=0.018).
Sixty patients were randomly assigned to take either L. plantarum 299v and oat flour or placebo for 4 weeks, with follow up for 12 months.[18] Patients recorded daily symptom scores and weekly overall gastrointestinal function using a visual analog scale. In the treatment group, overall gastrointestinal function significantly improved from baseline to week 3 and 4 of active therapy and from baseline to 12 months (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). These findings were not noted in the placebo group.
Twenty-five subjects with diarrhea-predominant IBS were randomly selected to receive VSL#3 or placebo twice/day for 8 weeks after a 2-week runin period.[19] VSL#3 is a patented powder probiotic preparation that contains Bifidobacterium species (longum, infantis, and breve), four species of Lactobacillus (acidophilus, casei, bulgaricus, and plantarum), and Streptococcus salivarius. On a weekly basis, subjects answered the question, "During the past 7 days, have you experienced satisfactory relief of your IBS symptoms?" Satisfactory relief for at least 4 of 8 weeks was regarded as a response. Responses did not significantly differ between the groups, as four (33%) of 12 subjects in the VSL#3 group and five (38%) of 13 in the placebo group were responders (p>0.99). In addition, no significant differences were observed between the groups when weekly assessment was done.
A randomized study of 54 patients revealed that overall clinical symptoms of IBS improved in the entire population but that differences between Lactobacillus reuteri and placebo were not significant.[20] The study spanned 6 months, which was considerably longer than most clinical trials with probiotics. Overall symptom severity scores and items on a quality-of-life questionnaire were measured monthly in each patient. This study had a high drop-out rate, as nine of 15 patients left because of noncompliance and six left because of worsening of IBS, adverse events, or other unspecified reasons. The data were analyzed according to the intent-to-treat population based on 54 patients. Subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant differences between 39 patients who completed the study and the intent-to-treat group. A considerable limitation of this study was type II error, which could have occurred because of the small population, confounded by the prevalence of noncompliance leading to subject dropout.
In a randomized, crossover study of 12 patients, L. plantarum 299 v (ProViva) was compared with placebo.[21] Patients were initially assigned to receive either active treatment or placebo and then switch. However, a concern was a crossover effect due to patients' receiving active bacteria before placebo. Therefore, the study design was altered so that all patients were given placebo, then treatment. Blinding was maintained, as the patients and researchers were not aware of the change. Symptoms were assessed by using a daily composite score based on patients' responses. No improvements in symptoms were reported for patients treated with L. plantarum 299 v (symptom scores 8.0 vs 8.5 for treatment group vs placebo, p>0.05).
Two hundred seventy-four patients with constipation-predominant IBS were randomized to receive Bifidobacterium animalis or placebo for 6 weeks.[22] At 3 and 6 weeks, the overall global digestive symptom score for treatment was not significantly different from placebo.
Eleven of 14 studies included some evaluation of an overall symptom score as a primary end
point,[12,13,17,19,20] a secondary end point,[14,15,21,22] or in an unspecified manner.[16,18] These symptom scores were evaluated by patients or physicians and were subjective. Although subjectivity is a concern for bias, all of the trials were placebo controlled and blinded to minimize this effect. Seven of the 11 studies reviewed indicated an improvement in overall symptom relief with probiotic therapy compared with placebo.[12-18]
i actually use plantarum 299v probiotics i use to quit quickly but i will try to test this for more than 01 mounth, we all know right now that we need two or more month to change our bowel habits... I will let you know what i think of this probiotics regarded in France to fight bloating and farting and help digestion...
i've got a IBS A-type... 
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