Researchers Discover Successful Probiotic Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
By admin on Aug 31, 2010 in Supplement and Vitamin
New research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology shows that certain strains of probiotic bacteria may be the most effective way to alleviate the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In light of these findings, many experts are optimistic that safe, more effective treatment options for IBD are soon to follow.
What Is IBD & Why Is It So Difficult to Treat?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a very serious medical condition, and should not be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). While both are generalized terms which relate to abnormal bowel conditions, one is significantly more serious than the other. While the symptoms of IBS are unpleasant, and can often lead to a dramatic decrease in quality of life, they are not usually fatal.
IBD, on the other hand, is usually associated with digestive conditions like Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. It often includes more severe symptoms such as frequent bloody diarrhea, which can become life-threatening to some individuals if left untreated.
Roughly 10 out of every 50,000 individuals in North America and Europe are affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The exact cause of IBS and IBD remains uncertain; however, research points toward an overactive response by the body’s immune system to specific strains of bacteria naturally found in the human digestive tract. In many cases, these are what are referred to as “beneficial” bacteria, because they assist the body’s natural digestive processes.
Normally these bacteria are ignored by the immune system. Unfortunately in people with IBS or IBD, this is not the case. Instead their bodies treat this bacteria with utmost hostility, and destroy the sensitive digestive tissue they are attached to in an overzealous effort to remove them.
Despite having known about the connection between intestinal bacteria and IBD for some time now, scientists have had difficulty isolating the particular strains of microorganisms which trigger the extreme response. As a result, generalized probiotic treatments have been used for years to alleviate the symptoms of IBD in many patients with only limited success.
Important New Information About Treating IBD
Newly utilized strains of probiotic bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum, which naturally produce large quantities of butyric acid, may hold the key to improved treatment options. Researchers speculate that these strains may also produce additional anti-inflammatory compounds that may help with IBD. By focusing their efforts on these particular probiotic strains in treating IBD patients, they have documented significant improvement over more commonly used probiotic bacterium.
Preparing Your Body For Probiotics
Gently cleansing the digestive tract with a safe, all-natural supplement such as Oxy-Powder prior to beginning a probiotic regimen is a great way to ensure you get the most from your treatment plan. Not only does this help to create an environment in which probiotic bacteria are able to thrive, it also helps rid the body of harmful bacteria which may compete with the newly introduced probiotics.
Regular colon cleansing is a great way to help maintain your digestive health. But not all cleansing techniques are created equal. In fact, some can do more harm than good. So be sure to do the proper research and know what exactly is in each colon cleansing product.
I have had great success over the years using the probiotic Latero-Flora and highly recommend anyone suffering from IBS or IBD disorders to take it on a regular basis.
More Natural Remedies:
- 7 Types of Foods to Avoid with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Study: Blueberries & Probiotics Help Counteract Intestinal Diseases
- Study: Gut Bacteria Transforms Arsenic, Increases Its Toxicity
- Study: Families in the U.K. Waste 1/3 of All Food They Buy
Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog