Probiotic bloating
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Probiotic Bloating: Insights from Recent Research
Introduction to Probiotics and Bloating
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. They are often used to manage various gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, a common symptom in both functional bowel disorders (FBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Efficacy of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
Study on Non-Patients with Abdominal Discomfort
A study evaluated the efficacy of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in non-patients experiencing abdominal discomfort and bloating. The results indicated no significant improvement in the mean severity of symptoms compared to the placebo group, although there was a higher frequency of bloating-free days in the probiotic group1. This suggests that while B. infantis 35624 may not significantly reduce symptom severity, it could potentially increase symptom-free periods.
Study on Women with IBS
In contrast, another study focusing on women with IBS found that B. infantis 35624 significantly improved symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and other IBS-related symptoms at a specific dosage (1 × 10^8 cfu)6. This highlights the strain's potential effectiveness in a patient population with more severe symptoms.
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07
Functional Bowel Disorders
Two studies investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 on patients with FBDs. Both studies reported significant improvements in bloating and distention scores in the probiotic groups compared to placebo at both 4 and 8 weeks2 3. These findings support the role of these specific probiotic strains in managing bloating in FBD patients.
Bacillus coagulans
IBS Symptom Relief
A study on Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 demonstrated significant improvements in abdominal pain and bloating in IBS patients over an 8-week period compared to placebo10. This suggests that B. coagulans may be a promising probiotic for alleviating IBS symptoms, including bloating.
Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews
Probiotics in IBS
A systematic review and network meta-analysis identified B. coagulans as the most effective probiotic for improving IBS symptoms, including bloating4. Another review confirmed the efficacy of B. infantis 35624 in improving IBS symptoms, while highlighting the need for more robust studies on other probiotics7 8.
Functional Constipation
A meta-analysis on probiotics for functional constipation found that multispecies probiotics significantly decreased bloating compared to single-species probiotics5. This underscores the potential benefits of using a combination of probiotic strains for managing bloating in constipation.
Conclusion
The research indicates that specific probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, and Bacillus coagulans, can be effective in reducing bloating, particularly in patients with IBS and FBDs. However, the efficacy can vary based on the population and the specific probiotic strain used. Further large-scale, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize probiotic treatments for bloating.
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