Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Best Probiotic to take?

Few probiotics have been clinically tested for effectiveness on IBS. The two most widely test are Align and VSL#3. There have been some small clinical trials done on Digestive Advantage and Lactobacillus plantarum.

The American Gastroenterology Society's Task Force on managing IBS (reference below) reported that probiotics containing Lactobacillus bacteria have no impact on symptoms and while those that contain Bifidobacteria bacteria such as Align tend to improve IBS symptoms. There is a recent announcement that Lactobacillus plantarum may have some beneficial effects although the results of this study have yet to be published. Culturelle only contains Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Reference
Brandt, L. J. et al. An Evidence-Based Systematic Review on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome - American College of Gastroenterology Task Force on IBS . The American Journal of Gastroenterology 104 (2009)

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