Specific probiotics are effective for treating irritable bowel syndrome
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 93/100
Multiple systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials support the efficacy of specific probiotics in improving global symptoms, abdominal pain, and bloating in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Evidence for · 8
Efficacy of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
2014 · cited by 743
This systematic review and meta-analysis found that probiotics significantly reduced the risk of persistent IBS symptoms compared to placebo.
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More for · 7
The efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review
2008 · cited by 723
This early systematic review established that probiotics are statistically significantly more effective than placebo in treating global IBS symptoms.
A randomized controlled trial of a probiotic, VSL#3, on gut transit and symptoms in diarrhoea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome
2003 · cited by 466
This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that the probiotic formulation VSL#3 significantly reduced abdominal bloating in diarrhea-predominant IBS patients.
Effectiveness of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: Updated systematic review with meta-analysis
2015 · cited by 357
This meta-analysis concluded that probiotics reduce pain and symptom severity scores, showing beneficial effects compared to placebo.
Meta-analysis of probiotics for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
2008 · cited by 342
This meta-analysis found that probiotic use was associated with improvements in global IBS symptoms and reductions in abdominal pain relative to placebo.
Efficacy of Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
2022 · cited by 120
This network meta-analysis evaluated multiple randomized trials and identified specific probiotic species like B. coagulans with prominent efficacy in treating IBS.
Efficacy of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
2023 · cited by 111
This updated systematic review concluded that specific strains and combinations of probiotics provide demonstrable benefits for global symptoms and abdominal pain in IBS.
Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 Improve Abdominal Pain Severity and Symptomology in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial
2020 · cited by 109
This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that specific strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 significantly improved abdominal pain and symptom severity in IBS patients.