Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Very few probiotics have been clinically tested for their efficacy to manage IBS symptoms. You can see a brief overview of IBS studies and probiotics here. Digestive Advantage which contains the probiotic Bacillus coagulans has some recent clinical trials that were not reported in the overview. While acidophilus is good for as a general probiotic it has limited value when it comes to managing IBS symptoms. It is also thought that some probiotics might exacerbate IBS symptoms in some individuals.

IBS research has suggested that IBSers have modified amounts of Bifidobacterium in the gut flora . Acidophilus is not a member of the Bifidobacterium family of bacteria. Align - which contains only one probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis - seems to be the most effective IBS probiotic available. It is less expensive than VSL#3 which contains many probiotics. Bifidobacterium infantis is believed help regulate the gut immune system response.

You can read a bit more about probiotics and IBS in the American Gastroenterology Society's article
An Evidence-Based Systematic Review on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
and in the British Gastroenterology Society's article
Guidelines on the irritable bowel syndrome: mechanisms and practical management.

A couple of articles you may find interesting are
Irritable Bowel Syndrome:Overview of Diagnosis and Management of IBS - Focus on Probiotics
and
Helping Patients Make Informed Choices About Probiotics: A Need for Research

As you can see not all probiotics are the same when it comes to managing IBS

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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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