Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Probiotics Help With Bowel Movements

Studies Evaluating The Effect Of Mono

Probiotics: For Great Digestion, Naturally Reverse Constipation, IBS

Three of the included studies evaluated the effect of a mono-strain probiotic on IBS symptoms . None of these studies used the same strain of microorganism in their probiotic supplement. Two studies administered a supplement containing a bacterial strain and one administered a supplement containing a yeast . Majeed et al. reported a significant effect of a mono-strain probiotic in improving IBS symptoms , whereas the remaining two did not report any significant effect of mono-strain probiotics in improving IBS symptoms .

Majeed et al. conducted a study including 36 irritable bowel syndrome with predominantly diarrhea patients, with 90 days of probiotic supplementation . The probiotic supplement consisted of the bacteria Bacillus coagulans MTCC5856 in two tablets administered once daily. After intervention, they reported a significant improvement in the intervention group compared to placebo in all primary outcomes: Bloating , vomiting , diarrhea , abdominal pain , stool frequency , and consistency . Additionally, they reported a significant improvement in the intervention group in secondary outcomes compared to placebo group .

Probiotics Help To Relieve Constipation And Its Symptoms

Apart from helping to soften stool and increase the number of times a week that you poop, probiotics can help with the complications of constipation.

Suffering from infrequent bowel movements can make going to the bathroom very difficult and it can cause varying accompanying symptoms. However, regularly taking high-quality probiotics can help to ease the pain while passing stool and resolve stomach bloating, gas, and stomach spasms .

The journal Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica reported that probiotics helped patients to pass stool more frequently in the week. In addition, taking probiotics also helped to reduce bloating, abdominal cramping, and the sensation of incomplete emptying. The study found that probiotics with L. casei Shirota bacteria were the most beneficial for helping constipation.8

Research into easing constipation symptoms in the elderly has also shown that probiotics can treat constipation. The Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics published a systematic review of 9 studies into probiotics for treating constipation symptoms in older people.

The study concluded that probiotics improved constipation in elderly people by 1040% compared to placebo controls in which no probiotic was used.9

Can Probiotics Help Against Diarrhea

Probiotics can make diarrhea go away about one day faster. Generally speaking, probiotic products which mostly contain certain lactic acid are well tolerated.

Diarrhea is often caused by an intestinal infection. As long as diarrhea isnt severe, it is usually enough to simply drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and wait for the infection to run its course. However, in small children and older people the loss of fluid can quickly become so dangerous that special treatment is needed. Life-threatening cases of diarrhea are rare in industrialized countries, though.

In mild cases, people are sometimes advised to eat probiotic foods in addition to drinking a lot of fluids. Probiotic products have special microorganisms like or yeast in them. These are thought to reach the bowel, where they suppress the germs that are causing the diarrhea and help the body fight them. The best known probiotics are lactic acid bacteria . They are found in natural yogurt and other dairy products, as well as in some dietary supplements.

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Can Probiotics Improve Ibs Symptoms

A comprehensive 2016 review concluded that its unclear how effective probiotics are for treating IBS. It cited small study sizes and lack of consistent data .

However, a number of studies have shown that specific probiotics may have the potential to target specific symptoms. Probiotics from the Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces families have shown particular promise (

15 ).

A German study of a two-strain probiotic liquid known as Pro-Symbioflor also had promising results. In this study, 297 patients were treated for eight weeks and experienced a 50% decrease in general symptoms, including abdominal pain .

Meanwhile, Symprove is a four-strain probiotic that was tested in 186 patients in the UK. It was found to reduce overall symptom severity after 12 weeks of treatment .

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 capsules have also been shown to marginally reduce pain, bloating and problems with bowel habits in all subtypes of IBS .

While some of these results are promising, there is some inconsistency between studies. In addition, most strains only have one study demonstrating their effectiveness. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm the results.

Summary Preliminary research has found 10 probiotic strains that may help improve overall symptoms of IBS. However, results have been inconsistent, and most strains have only one small study behind them. Further research is required.

Can I Get Probiotics From Food

Refrigerated Probiotics

You can absolutely increase beneficial microbes in your body from the foods you eat. Certain foods have probiotics in them and can benefit the health of your microbiome.

These foods can be introduced into your diet at any point of the day. You may even be regularly eating them now and not realize that they contain probiotics. You will want to check the food label for live and active cultures. A few suggestions for just some of the probiotic-rich foods you can add to your diet and some times to try them include:

For breakfast, try:

  • Powders.
  • Liquids.

Probiotic supplements may be combined with a prebiotic. Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates that feed the microorganisms in your gut. Basically, prebiotics are the food source for the good bacteria. They help feed the good bacteria and keep it healthy. Prebiotics include inulin, pectin and resistant starches.

When you have a supplement that combines a probiotic and prebiotic, its called a synbiotic.

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Probiotic Supplements And Constipation

Constipation is defined as less than three bowel movements per week. For some individuals, ensuring sufficient fiber and fluid intake may already be enough to help regulate their bowel movements.

The use of probiotic supplements in various cases of constipation has been studied by many researchers over the years. The conclusion: Probiotic supplements can be extremely helpful to those suffering from constipation. Probiotics rebalance the gut flora and improve mucus production in the intestines, which in turn can improve the frequency and consistency of your bowel movements.

More Benefit Of Probiotics:

Avoid frequent use of antibiotics as it can upset the balance of good and bad bacteria.

Researches have shown that a number of diseasesincluding cardiovascular disease, diabetes and inflammatory bowel diseaseare associated with changes in our gut bacteria or microbiota. Some have been linked to obesity.

  • They help to train the immune system: The bacteria in the gut help to stimulate and train the immune system. There is also some intriguing new research that supports the theory that gut bacteria can have a calming effect on an overactive immune system. This creates hope for the possibility of new ways to reduce asthma and eczema.Research in mice published last year suggested that while one strain of bacteria, Helicobacterhepaticus, can promote IBD when introduced into the digestive tract, a molecule produced by another strain of bacteria, Bacteroidesfragilis, may signal immune cells to suppress the diseases characteristic inflammation. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohns disease and the recurrence of pouchitis .

  • Prevent Toxic build up: Good bacteria compete for food and attachment sites , and produce toxins that are harmful to the invading bacteria this helps in keeping the population of bad bacteria low. Acidophilus, for example, produces hydrogen peroxide which is directly toxic to many bacteria.
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    How Probiotics Can Help Fight Ibs

    We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.

    Probiotics are a hot topic at the moment, particularly for people with irritable bowel syndrome .

    IBS is a chronic disease that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.

    Many people take probiotics in hopes that balancing out their gut bacteria will improve their symptoms.

    This article looks at the latest research on probiotics for IBS, including specific strains and symptoms.

    Not All Probiotics Are Equal

    Can probiotics help my IBS-C? How should I take them?

    If youre planning to take a probiotic supplement to manage constipation, its important to remember that all probiotic bacteria do not have the same effects. For instance, if Bifidobacterium lactis is able to increase the frequency of bowel movements, its not necessary that other probiotic bacteria would have a similar effect. So check the strain of probiotic bacteria that youre consuming to make sure that itll be beneficial in your case. And as always, when in doubt, speak to your doctor.6 It is also a good idea to increase your intake of probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut which boost your digestive health and the number of good bacteria in your stomach.

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    Benefits Of Probiotics For Cats

    Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a Los Angeles area veterinarian and certified veterinary journalist, is definitely an advocate for feline probiotics. Im a big fan of probiotics as a means of hopefully helping to maintain normal gut health, not only so there are less clinical signs of digestive upset like decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or stool changes but also in terms of helping to promote immune system health as well, he says.

    Mahaney adds that immunity for cats is closely linked to the health of the digestive tract and when the digestive tract is thrown off track, a cats immunity may suffer. Disorders that can cause such digestive system upset include ailments like inflammatory bowel disease , infections, or a cat simply ingesting something she shouldnt.

    That could certainly be cats that are grooming themselves excessively and ingesting too much hair or ingesting things from the environment, says Mahaney. So for cats, probiotics can help with a variety of conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease. The veterinarian adds that IBD is a common condition that many cats develop throughout their lifetime, especially during their adult and senior years.

    The Gut Microbiome And Constipation

    Trillions of bacteria reside in the gut in what is known collectively as the gut microbiome. Find out more about your gut microbiome in our sister site, the Probiotics Learning Lab. These microbes live in an ideally harmonious equilibrium, with a balance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. However, certain lifestyle factors can disturb this balance leading to what is known as dysbiosis . Dysbiosis has been often noted to be present in constipation5,6. Addressing this imbalance with a probiotic can help to restore normal bowel function and increase stool frequency.

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    Other Benefits Of Probiotics

    Many people find that when they start taking probiotics to make themselves poop easier, they also experience other health benefits.

    Some of the health benefits you can expect from probiotics can be any of the following:

    Better immune system. Research from 2011 found that the health of your gut and immunity are closely connected. Taking probiotics can help to boost your immunity naturally and result in fewer infections. For example, probiotics containing rhamnosus GG can help to treat inflammatory conditions. L. acidophilus NCFM helped to protect against viral infections.10

    Reduce side effects of antibiotics. Probiotics can help to prevent digestive upset that occurs when taking antibiotics. The Journal of Family Practice reports that antibiotics can sometimes cause chronic diarrhea. Taking a probiotic supplement 2 hours after an antibiotic can help to prevent diarrhea and abdominal cramping after a meal. It was found that combinations containing Lactobacillus species were the most effective.11

    Prevent allergies. Research has discovered that taking probiotics can help to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.12 Scientists have also found that probiotics can minimize food allergies.

    Can I Give My Cat Human Probiotics

    Understanding A Healthy Stool and How to Prevent Constipation

    While there are no current studies that point to the fact that giving cats a probiotic supplement designed for humans is dangerous, veterinarians still urge pet parents to opt for a product that is specially designed for cats. The microflora in a cat’s small and large intestine are different than for people, so we can’t assume that human probiotics will work in cats, say Deirdre Frey, VMD with Vet at Your Door, a Portland, Maine-based veterinary home-care practice.

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    Boosts The Happy Hormone Serotonin

    Changes in the gut microbiome can have a profound effect on hormone production and neurotransmission in the central nervous system.

    But more importantly, the neurotransmitter Serotonin has an essential role in digestive health including the stimulation of the peristaltic reflex.

    90% of serotonin is produced in the gut

    Its also important to remember that 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. Therefore, the more serotonin is made available the greater improvement in intestinal motility.

    Studies suggest that microorganisms in the GI tract can increase the production of tryptophan an amino acid that’s converted into serotonin.

    Sign 3 Ease Of Digestive Troubles

    Perhaps the strongest evidence for probiotics is in treating diarrhea caused by aviral infection or from taking antibiotics.Probiotics restore the natural balance of bacteria, which is disrupted during aninfection or when taking antibiotics.Additionally, researchers found that probiotics also help constipation . Studies from Kings College in London show that probiotics increased the number of weekly bowel movements by 1.3, and helped soften stools, making them easier to pass .Therefore, if you see an improvement in diarrhea or constipation symptoms afterstarting probiotics it can be the most obvious sign that the supplements areWorking.

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    What Does Gut Transit Time Mean

    The time it takes for the food contents to travel though the digestive tract is called the transit time. One of the main functions of the large intestine is to reabsorb water from the food waste to form the stool. If the transit time is slow, the stool will spend a longer time in the large intestine and become harder, drier and more difficult to evacuate.

    Transit time is affected by numerous factors including:

    • Our gut microbiota composition and balance
    • Methane production by specific gut bacteria
    • Low digestive muscle tone or low sensitivity to nervous system stimulation
    • Lack of fiber
    • Delayed stomach emptying

    Health Benefits Of Probiotic Supplements

    Probiotics For IBS- Dr Dani’s IBS Treatment Tips

    Its important to not get too lost in the specifics ofscientific studies about probiotics, and to focus instead on what science saysabout the general health benefits they provide. Though some studies show that Saccharomyces boulardii is helpful for IBS-D,other studies show that probiotics are helpful for treating constipation.

    This is one of the things that holds back functional andnatural medicine. We have some science on an issue that causes us to thinknarrowly, rather than looking at all the other studies and trying to interpretwhat the trends are.

    What the multitude of studies about probiotics tell us isthat they work generally to restore the gut environment. When we include beneficialbacteria from each category, they work synergistically together toimprove the digestivesystem. We dont need to worry too much about the specifics.

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    What Causes Constipation

    Youve probably heard about common lifestyle-related causes of constipation, like not drinking enough water or eating enough fiber. But if youve got the lifestyle component down pat and youre still having trouble, your constipation might be stemming from something else.

    That something else could very well be dysbiosis – an imbalance of the bacteria in your microbiome. Hold on folks, were getting science-y for a second here:

    The term microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms living in your gut. Dont freak out at microorganisms — its normal and healthy to have bacteria living within your gut!

    The bacteria in your gut help the body regulate the immune system, digest food, and even create vitamins. Helpful kinds of bacteria are called, in laymans terms, good bacteria.

    But bad bacteria exist too. Too much bad bacteria in your gut can wreak havoc on your digestion.

    If you have more badbacteria than good bacteria, you have an imbalanced microbiome — which we call in fancy science terms, dysbiosis. Constipation may be a side effect of that imbalance.

    If only there was a way you could push out bad bacteria and increase good bacteria, thereby rebalancing your gut microbiome…

    Probiotics To The Rescue

    Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to re-establish a healthy balance of micro-organisms in the digestive tract. They are sometimes recommended for improving bowel function, although more studies are needed .

    You are right to emphasize a diet with plenty of produce along with refrigerated probiotics, which should also be stored under refrigeration at home. These are more likely to provide the anticipated numbers of healthful microbes.

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    Olive And Flaxseed Oils

    Olive and flaxseed oils have a mild laxative effect, which can ease the flow of materials through the intestines and relieve constipation.

    These oils also contain compounds that improve digestion and have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

    A 2015 study found that olive and flaxseed oils help to relieve constipation in people undergoing hemodialysis.

    Why Do Probiotics Make You Poo A Lot

    Do Probiotics Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

    Many are times you take probiotics after having your broad spectrum antibiotics but how many times does your doctor inform you of the changes you expect on your stool?

    Well, this material starts by informing you what you should check from your stool or poop each day whether you are on probiotics or not. Probiotics will however not result in many changes as far as the physiology of stool is concerned.

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    Probiotics: Can They Provide Better Bowel Movement

    September 27, 2016By Namita Nayyar

    A bowel movements eight hours after every significant meal ensures utmost cleaning of gastrointestinal tracts. Since the mid-1990s, clinical studies have established that probiotic therapy can help treat several gastrointestinal ills, delay the development of allergies in children, and treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women.

    Our body is home to a wide variety of creatures too small to see. Comprising predominantly of bacteria that populate our gut, some fungi, and even viruses. Probiotics are beneficial gut bacteria that help stimulate the natural digestive juices and enzymes that keep our digestive organs functioning properly. There are two main groups of probiotics: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Each group has different species, and each species has different strains.

    The cells that make up your body add up to around 1013 cells . The bacteria in your gut outnumber the cells that make up you ten to one. By far, most of these bacteria are found in the colon.

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