Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Medical Research on Naturopathic treatment for IBS

“Clinical trial: effect of active lactic acid bacteria on mucosal barrier function in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome,” Zeng J, Li YQ, et al, Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2008 July 30

In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 30 patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, treatment with a probiotic fermented milk (containing Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum) for 4 weeks was found to significantly decrease small bowel permeability (from 0.038 to 0.023), decreasing the percentage of patients with increased small bowel permeability from 64% at baseline to 29% after treatment.

“Treating irritable bowel syndrome with a food elimination diet followed by food challenge and probiotics,” Drisko J, Bischoff B, et al, J Am Coll Nutr, 2006; 25(6): 514-22.

The results of this study suggest that patients with IBS who have not been helped by standard therapies may greatly benefit by having their food sensitivities tested and addressed through a method such as the food elimination diet followed by controlled food challenge. In addition, supplementation with probiotics may help to boost beneficial flora.
“Low intake of vitamin B(6) is associated with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms,” Ligaarden SC, Farup PG, Nutr Res, 2011 May; 31(5): 356-61.

In a study involving 17 human subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intake of vitamin B6 was found to be associated with IBS. The authors state, “A significant inverse association between intake of vitamin B(6) and severity of IBS symptoms might have clinical implications.”

“Food Allergy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” Kalliomaki MA, Curr Opin Gastroenterol, 2005; 21(6): 708-11. The studies reviewed suggest that dietary factors may indeed contribute to the development of IBS, and therefore patients with IBS may benefit from adhering to a food elimination diet based on detection of local food hypersensitivity.