How probiotics can help manage colitis symptoms
Probiotics and Colitis
Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum.
If it has not developed into ulcerative colitis, the disease can often be managed by diet, with the addition of a probiotic supplement.
The best probiotic strains to help with Colitis
Research (referenced below) indicates that multi-strain probiotics are the most effective.
The best strains include Bifidobacterium lactis which helps protect the cells that line the gut from damage caused by inflammation.
People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease have fewer of these bacteria in their gut, compared to healthy people.
Other powerful strains that have a proven positive effect on colitis patients include:
- Bacillus coagulans
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus plantarum
All these are in Microbiotic Plus.
Expect to start with two capsules a day – ie 30 billion – for 15 days.
Probiotics complement other treatments
NOTE: The normal treatment for colitis is via anti-inflammatory prescriptions. A probiotic supplement can be combined with these.
People with ulcerative colitis are advised to avoid or limit the following:
- dairy products
- gassy foods
- high-fat foods
- large meals
It is also best to drink plenty of water.
The clinical effects of probiotics for inflammatory bowel disease: A meta-analysis; Kai Jia, MB,∗ Xin Tong, MB, Rong Wang, MM, and Xin Song, MB Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Dec; 97(51): e13792.
Diagnosis and therapy of ulcerative colitis—results of an evidence-based consensus conference of the German Society of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases. Stange EF, Riemann J, von Herbay A, et al. Z Gastroenterol 2001;39:19–20.
Clinical utility of probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease. Cain AM, Karpa KD. Altern Ther Health Med. 2011 Jan-Feb;17(1):72-9.
Probiotics for improving quality of life in ulcerative colitis: Exploring the patient perspective Mark B.van der Waal et al: PharmaNutrition Volume 7, March 2019, 100139