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Bowtrol Probiotic Formula Eases IBS Symptoms NEW YORK--A probiotic preparation containing Bifidobacterium infantis
(Lactospore) relieved symptoms in patients suffering irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS), according to a study published in the March issue of Gastroenterology
(www2.gastrojournal.org). In the study (128, 3:541-51), Irish researchers gave
77 IBS patients either B. infantis 35624, Lactobacillus salivarius UCC4331 or
placebo for eight weeks, and assessed various IBS symptoms daily. B. infantis
better alleviated all symptoms--including abdominal pain, bloating and bowel
movement difficulty--than the other treatment. Researchers reported subjects’
proinflammatory, Th-1 state was completely normalized by B. infantis feeding
alone. They linked the effect to normalization of the ratio of an
anti-inflammatory to a proinflammatory cytokine, suggesting an immune-modulating
role for the probiotic strain in IBS patients. In addition, the scientists noted
the symptom relief by B. infantis was comparable to effects shown by Zelnorm (tegaserod)
and Lotronex (alosetron), two pharmaceuticals recently approved for IBS
treatment. IBS Symptoms Worse after a Restless Nights Sleep for Women
According to researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle, a
poor night's sleep for women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can mean
more than the usual gastrointestinal symptoms the following day.
For the study, 82 women with IBS and 35 women without IBS kept a record of
their daily sleep habits and digestive symptoms for about 5 weeks (two
menstrual cycles). They rated the severity of sleep disturbances such as
trouble falling asleep, restless or disturbed sleep, early awakening, and
insomnia, and the severity of IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating,
constipation, diarrhea, and gas.
The results indicate that for women with IBS, a poor night's sleep leads to
more gastrointestinal symptoms the next day. The findings remained the same
when the researchers controlled for psychological distress and stress. Why
the quality of sleep would affect digestive symptoms in women with IBS is
unclear, but it could be related to a disturbance in the autonomic or
central nervous systems that affects both sleep and gastrointestinal
function.
The study was published in the May 2000 issue of Digestive Diseases and
Sciences. Other researchers have found similar results in previous studies.
For more information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, please visit the
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Center.
Portions of the above information has been provided with the kind permission
of the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases,
National Institutes of Health.
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