How Probiotics Can Improve Your Gut Health
Currently, probiotics are a hot topic, especially for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.
IBS is a chronic disease that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
Many people consume probiotics to help balance out their gut bacteria and improve their symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a chronic disease characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and sometimes even bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
It mainly affects 7 – 21% of people all over the world, and it is three times more prevalent in women than men in the West, although this difference is not the same in Asian countries.
The exact reason why IBS happens is still unknown. However, some suggest that its causes include changes in digestive motility, food sensitivities, brain-gut interactions, infections, bacterial overgrowth, carbohydrate malabsorption, and intestinal inflammation. Sometimes eating certain foods can trigger symptoms, and stress can even worsen the condition.
IBS is majorly diagnosed when you have abdominal pains at least one day per week for three months. Plus, at least two of the symptoms like pain related to bowel movement, changes in the frequency of stool, or sometimes changes in stool appearance.
IBS also has four subtypes that can relate to the type of bowel movement which is most experienced.
a) IBS-D: Diarrhea-predominant
b) IBS-C: Constipation-predominant
c) IBS-M: Alternating between diarrhea and constipation
d) IBS-U: Unspecified for people who do not fit into one of the above categories
Another subtype is known as “post-infectious”; it has been suggested for people who develop the disease after a severe infection. This subtype can apply to as many as 25% of people.
Treatment for all of these subtypes includes medication, diet, lifestyle improvements, the elimination of FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols), lactose, and the use of probiotics.
FODMAPs are poorly digested types of carbohydrate molecules that are found in many foods. They can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating which can also cause IBS.
How Does Probiotics Work with IBS?
A significant amount of research has investigated how probiotics can treat and even manage IBS.
Symptoms of IBS has also been linked to certain changes in the gut flora. For example, people who have IBS have lower amounts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in their guts. But, they have higher levels of harmful Streptococcus, E. coli, and Clostridium.
Additionally, around 84% of IBS patients experience bacterial overgrowth in their small intestines, leading to many symptoms.
However, whether this change is the cause or even result of IBS is uncertain. Besides, some medications used to treat IBS symptoms can damage the healthy bacteria living in the gut.
Changes in the gut flora can also influence the IBS symptoms like increasing inflammation, sensitivity to gas in the intestine, reducing immune function, and changing digestive motility.
Probiotics have also shown results to improve symptoms by:
a) Inhibiting the growth of disease-causing bacteria
b) Enhancing the immune system’s barrier functions
c) Helping to fight inflammation
d) Slowing down the bowel movements
e) Reducing gas production by balancing the gut flora
f) Reducing the gut’s sensitivity to gas buildup
However, not all probiotics are the same. In fact, the term “probiotic” also covers various strains and types of bacteria and yeasts. Their health effects also vary depending on the type.
The WHO or World Health Organization also defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that can confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts.” They also include bacteria and yeasts. Probiotics work in many possible ways, like:
a) Lining the surface of the gastrointestinal tract and stopping harmful organisms
b) Strengthening the tissue of the bowel wall
c) Acting as antibiotics against other bacteria
d) Regulating the responses of the immune system
Bacillus coagulans is a kind of bacteria that is used as a lactobacillus. It also works like the other valuable microbes. Probiotic Bacillus coagulans can be consumed to cure diarrhea which is caused due to infectious diseases and also because of antibiotics.
According to probiotics manufacturers, numerous health benefits are linked to consuming probiotics. However, many related side effects can affect a percentage of the population. Let us check out some of the side effects of using probiotics.
Probiotics can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms.
Probiotic foods can sometimes trigger headaches.
Probiotics can increase infection risk.
Probiotic strains can increase histamine levels.
Do you know that our body has 500 different types of probiotic strains, and the lack of diversity in them can be linked with obesity, digestive, and other health issues? Let's see how we can cure them. Have you heard of strain development? In simple terms, strain development is all about improving an organism's genetics to effectively and successfully carry out the biotechnological process. Another definition of strain development is manipulating and improving microbial strains, which can enhance metabolism in humans.
