Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS affects more people in Canada than most parts of the world.
5 million Canadians currently suffer and women are affected more frequently than men
Gastrointestinal conditions, like IBS, are often disruptive, debilitating and often embarrassing as a result of abdominal pain and irregular bowel patterns like constipation and diarrhea
More severe cases of IBS can lead to frequent work and school absenteeism with an average of 13 days missed annually
The economic and health-care related costs of IBS exceeds $6.5 billion annually in Canada alone.
Luckily there are some safe and effective options for those who are affected by IBS – ranging from lifestyle modifications to supplementation and certain pharmaceuticals
Only about 40% of folks with IBS ever seek medical attention. Patients with milder symptoms typically self-treat their condition with lifestyle changes, food avoidance and the purchase of non-prescription remedies.
This can be a daunting task as there are so many marketed solutions – most of which don’t work.
Those that DO work include probiotics like BioGaia and VSL#3
BioGaia and VSL#3 are clinically proven to improve symptoms of IBS, colic and other GI conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, by promoting and restoring intestinal and microflora balance.
With the right treatment using the right probiotics, as many as one third of IBS patients may eventually become symptom-free
But, keep in mind Strain & Dose because not all probiotics are created equal!
It’s very important to choose a probiotic that is reliable, proven to be safe and offers benefits for your symptoms. Two essential probiotic product differentiators you need to investigate are strain specificity and dose.
VSL#3 and BioGaia have strong clinical data demonstrating a consistent safety profile and efficacy for numerous gastrointestinal conditions like IBS, ulcerative colitis, an ileal pouch and colic.
And probiotics aren’t only for adults by the way! While the cause of colic remains unknown, scientists believe that it may be the infant form of IBS. Luckily BioGaia, a probiotic for infants and children, has been shown to reduce crying in colic after just one week.
When researching probiotics, make sure the product in question is supported by strong clinical data, proven to be safe, and offers benefits your specific condition.
In order that probiotics survive and multiply in your gut, soluble fiber is required. It is food and fuel for probiotics and used in the gut to maintain digestive health and microflora balance. Soluble fiber is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, and 100% water-soluble.
Medibulk is that type of fiber. A true regulating fiber that improves both the conditions of constipation and diarrhea. It is indicated for IBS type C OR D. The result is regularity with healthy consistency.
Usually fibers can help alleviate constipation but Medibulk alleviates constipation without overly degrading stool firmness, and provides regularity with healthy consistency.
Keep in mind that it is always important to speak with your healthcare professional before starting a new probiotic or prebiotic routine.