Ulcerative colitis/fotosearch.com
A mixture of beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, can be very effective in relieving symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Researchers at the University of Alberta found that a combination of eight species of helpful bacteria provided relief in 86 percent of people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
The mixture consisted of bacterial species that are normally found in the human gastrointestinal system. The species included Lactobacillus casei, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii sub sp. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium longum, B. breve, B. infantis, and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus.
When the numbers of these beneficial bacteria decline, it leaves an environment for bad bacteria to damage the intestinal lining, as seen in cases of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The 30 patients in the study were treated daily for six weeks with the probiotics. Sixty-three percent of the patients achieved remission and another 23 percent had improved symptoms and healing of the colon’s lining. No one had any adverse reactions to the probiotics.
Probiotics are available at local health and natural food stores and pharmacies. Consult with your health-care provider before starting a probiotics supplement program.
For more information on probiotics and prebiotics, which support the health and growth of probiotics, see:
The Wonder of Probiotics, by John Taylor, ND
Probiotics help irritable bowel syndrome
Benefits of prebiotics
Comments
Probiotics are the way of the future!!! However, many brands don't do the research and guarantee their products at the time of consumption. The only brand I take and have experienced results with is NATREN PROBIOTICS. I love founder Natasha Trenev's blog at www.truthaboutprobiotics.com
A 2003 study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found Saccharomyces boulardii, the active ingredient in Florastor, to be effective in treating ulcerative colitis. The patients in the study took 250 mg of S. boulardii three times daily for four weeks, combined with mesalazine treatment. Of the 24 patients in the study, 17 attained clinical remission after the four week period. A similar study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences in July 2000 also found S. boulardii to be effective in managing Crohn’s disease. For more information on Florastor, visit www.florastor.com.
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