I recently did some training on a specific probiotic strain called Lp299v and thought it worth passing on some of the details. This particular strain of Lactobacillus, which inhabits the complete human digestive system from mouth to anus, seems to have remarkably positive effects for sufferers of IBS and other digestive disorders which, after the excesses of Christmas, can be fairly widespread just now.
Irritable bowel syndrome is an inflammatory condition of the gut, the causes of which are not known. Symptoms can include pain, bloating, flatulence, mucous in the stools, constipation, diarrhoea (or alternating bouts of the last two), urgency of need for a bowel movement or the feeling that proper evacuation hasn’t happened after a bowel movement. IBS is extremely common and is thought to affect one in five of the Irish population, to be most common in the 20 to 30 age bracket and to affect more women than men.
The Lp299v probiotic seems to be particularly effective at colonizing the gut walls and forming a protective barrier, decreasing the space available to less desirable inhabitants and causing the cells of the gut lining to literally hold more tightly together. This decreases the chances of undigested food molecules passing through the gut wall directly into the blood stream. It has been shown to encourage the gut’s production of mucous secretions which, in itself, could account for its anti inflammatory effect on the digestive system. Lp299v is also thought to have a normalizing effect on the immune system by decreasing the production of ‘cytokines’ which are immune stimulating agents which may play a part in the auto immune nature of IBS. Lastly Lp299v seems to affect the health and vitality of all the other strains of lactobacillus bacteria within the digestive system thus improving digestive health in general.
Other important elements for the control of IBS include these:
- Follow a diet of soft, easily digested, mostly cooked food and consider introducing probiotic foods such as yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut.
- If stress is a factor, and it often is, take measures such as stress reduction techniques and supplementation with a B Complex vitamin high in B5 (Pantothenic acid).
- Take digestive enzymes and botanical supplements containing herbs such as ginger, fennel, cardamom and chamomile to promote better digestion generally.
- The herb Tormentil can also bring great relief for many people.
If you are one of the unlucky one in five who struggles on a daily basis with this debilitating ailment why not consider natural remedies for its improvement. Among natural remedies Probiotics would seem to be one of the main, if not the main, protective factor and among Probiotics Lp299v would seem to be the one offering most consistent relief!
Nichola, our in-house Nutritional Therapist will be on South East Radio on Friday 9th January discussing ways to manage IBS and we will also be hosting an in-store Event on Thursday 15th January, when Bríd, a representative from Solgar and an expert on the Lp299v probiotic strain will be sharing her expertise.
