Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Enterococcus faecium is a probiotic bacterium that has been included in some commercial probiotic formulations aimed at supporting gut health, including in the context of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The scientific evidence supporting its use in IBS is limited, but there are a few small clinical studies and some animal research suggesting potential benefits. For example, Enterococcus faecium has been shown to help modulate gut microbiota and may have an effect on intestinal barrier function and immune modulation. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs), such as those evaluating the probiotic combination product Enterococcus faecium SF68, have reported improvements in symptoms like bloating and stool consistency in patients with IBS or other functional bowel disorders. However, these studies tend to be small, sometimes lack rigorous controls, and often use multi-strain probiotics, making it difficult to attribute effects specifically to Enterococcus faecium. Meta-analyses of probiotics in IBS typically show modest benefits overall, but the evidence for individual strains, including E. faecium, remains inconclusive. Regulatory authorities and clinical guidelines do not currently endorse Enterococcus faecium as a standard treatment for IBS due to insufficient high-quality evidence. In summary, there is some preliminary scientific support for its use, but the quality and quantity of evidence are low, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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