Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects around 11% of the population and is clinically characterized by alterations in bowel movements, increases in abdominal pain, and mild to moderate bloating. IBS can be further classified into IBS-C, IBS-D, and IBS-M dependent on patient symptomatology.
The underlying causes of IBS has yet to be uncovered but it seems to originate from an individual’s genetic background in combination with environmental factors-like most other chronic disease conditions. Although the underlying causes of IBS are not yet fully understood, researchers believe that the conditions severity and symptoms may be directly influenced by unfavorable changes to the gut microbiome, impaired gut-brain signaling, and increases in intestinal permeability or “leaky gut”.
Both pharmaceutical and “natural” therapeutics have been used in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with limited success. Antispasmodics, anticholinergics, and serotonergic drugs have all been leveraged by physicians in an attempt to manage IBS symptoms. However, the treatment effectiveness, viability of long-term use, and side effects of these pharmacological agents pose obvious limitations. To contrast the conventional approach, pseudoscientific “natural” health providers will use everything from food sensitivity testing to energy healing in a futile attempt to decrease symptoms associated with IBS, with a short-term placebo effect in a lucky percentage of individuals.
In my opinion, probiotics are an underutilized and effective treatment option for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. To my knowledge, no literature has shown that probiotics colonize the gut, but they do exert significant, beneficial effects on the microbiome. Probiotics have demonstrated the ability to modify the microbiome through multiple, distinct pathways including their capacity to enhance gut immune function, exert favorable antimicrobial effects, and increase intestinal barrier function. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the actions of probiotics, but an initial foundation.
Outside of gut health, probiotics have also been shown to offer multiple other beneficial effects on overall health.
Benefits of Probiotics:
-Enhances Immune Function
-Improves Mood
-Decreases Atopic Conditions
-Improves Heart Health
Dr. Tanner Wilson is an Institute of Functional Medicine provider at Wilson Chiropractic Clinic in Garnett, KS and frequently uses probiotics as part of his treatment plans with patients.