The Role of Bacteria, Probiotics and Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland). 2018;7(2)
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Plain language summary

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10-25% of the population worldwide but to date, no definitive effective treatment protocol has been established. This review explores the role of probiotics, bacteria and diet as potential causes of IBS and what role they may play in its treatment and management. The authors concluded that though there is clear evidence of alteration in the overall diversity and specific abundance of intestinal bacteria in IBS sufferers there, is no clear picture in relation to how this affects symptoms of IBS. Future randomised control trials are required to establish effectiveness of diet and probiotic supplementation as interventions in the management of IBS.

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that threatens the quality of life of millions and poses a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems around the world. Intense research into the human microbiome has led to fascinating discoveries which directly and indirectly implicate the diversity and function of this occult organ in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology. The benefit of manipulating the gastrointestinal microbiota with diet and probiotics to improve symptoms has been demonstrated in a wealth of both animal and human studies. The positive and negative mechanistic roles bacteria play in IBS will be explored and practical probiotic and dietary choices offered.

Lifestyle medicine

Patient Centred Factors : Triggers/Microbiome
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Nutrients ; Microorganisms
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Environment
Functional Laboratory Testing : Not applicable

Methodological quality

Allocation concealment : Not applicable
Publication Type : Journal Article ; Review

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