Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that causes abdominal pain and discomfort, affecting about 11% of people globally, 15% in the U.S., and up to 18% in Canada, with women more affected than men. Many people with IBS struggle with their quality of life, and safe, effective treatments are highly sought after.
A meta-analysis of 20 studies involving over 3,000 people found that probiotics are significantly more effective than placebo at improving overall IBS symptom scores and quality of life. Higher doses of multiple probiotic strains were particularly effective in reducing abdominal pain.
Since probiotics were found to be as safe as placebo, this study supports the use of probiotics as a safe, affordable, and effective option for treating IBS.
Reference: Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024 Apr:60:362-372.