Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bifidobacterium lactis is a probiotic strain that has been investigated for its potential to alleviate symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The use of B. lactis for IBS is supported by a moderate level of scientific evidence. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses suggest that various strains of Bifidobacterium, including B. lactis, may help improve IBS symptoms—particularly bloating, abdominal discomfort, and bowel movement regularity. For example, studies have shown that supplementation with B. lactis DN-173 010 (commercially known as found in some yogurts) can lead to improvements in stool frequency and consistency in IBS patients, especially those with constipation-predominant IBS.

The beneficial effects are thought to arise from the probiotic’s ability to modulate gut microbiota, enhance the intestinal barrier, and reduce low-grade inflammation common in IBS. Clinical guidelines (such as those from the American College of Gastroenterology) state that certain probiotics, including some Bifidobacterium strains, may be considered for IBS management, though they also note that the evidence is strain-specific and not all probiotics are equally effective.

However, while promising, the overall quality of evidence is moderate due to variability in study design, probiotic strains, dosages, and outcome measures. Not all studies have shown a significant benefit, and more large-scale, strain-specific RCTs are needed. Nonetheless, B. lactis remains one of the better-studied probiotics for IBS, justifying a rating of 3 out of 5 for scientific evidence.

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