Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

 

PROBIOTICS OFFER A PROMISING SOLUTION FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Beltsville, MD, MARCH 2013 – April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month.  IBS is a chronic condition affecting between 15 and 20 percent of all adults in the Western world. However, IBS is difficult to identify due to the numerous symptoms associated with it. Almost 40 percent of IBS sufferers report symptoms severe and frequent enough to disrupt their daily lives, making it is a serious issue.

IBS is not technically a disease but, rather, a series of symptoms, which can often be controlled with a various lifestyle changes, such as diet, stress reduction, hydration, an increase in dietary fiber and a healthy balance of intestinal microflora, which can be achieved by taking probiotic supplements.

IBS symptoms range from annoying to debilitating, causing severe constipation in some, to chronic diarrhea, bloating, gas, fatigue, heartburn and depression in others. Often IBS is diagnosed by exclusion—more often described by what it is not rather than what it is—which can lead to overuse of the term.  While the direct cause of IBS is unknown, most medical professionals agree it stems from dysfunction within the intestines1. For the estimated 54 million Americans that it affects—75 percent of them female—the solution often compounds the problem.

Many medical professionals believe that IBS symptoms can be mollified by a course of antibiotics aimed at eliminating bacterial overgrowth. However, antibiotics not only eliminate harmful bacteria, they attack essential and beneficial bacteria as well. While antibiotics may offer some quick relief, it's not a long-term solution. Reversing the effects of IBS can be a slow process, but with an integrated approach that includes an appropriate probiotic supplement, results can be encouraging and long lasting.
 
One such approach is taking probiotic supplements to restore the proper microbial environment in the GI tract. Once achieved, this will help minimize the number and severity of IBS symptoms. The type of probiotic strains used and the amount of viable CFUs (colony forming units) a probiotic supplement contains is critical in providing the most effective results.

About Vidazorb®

Vidazorb® represents a group of superior shelf-stable, chewable probiotic formulations that provide essential support for core health needs. Research and development, together with a commitment to quality and efficacy, defines Vidazorb® as a brand of integrity and excellence. For more information, visit www.Vidazorb.com. For engaging, kid-friendly probiotic information, visit www.Zorbee.com. To learn more about the importance of, and science supporting, probiotics, visit www.YouAreWhatYouAbsorb.com. 

Vidazorb® uses clinically substantiated strains from Chr. Hansen. In studies on Chr. Hansen L. acidophilus, LA-5® and Bifidobacterium, BB-12®, these strains have been shown to be effective in counteracting antibiotic side effects, treating diarrhea and constipation, and reducing stool frequency in those with collagenous colitis (CC), among other benefits2.