Chinese Medicine, Not Probiotics, Promising for IBS

CHICAGO--Chinese medicine may be effective for relievingirritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although support for probiotics is lacking,according to researchers from Northwestern University Medical School. Theresearchers published a research review in the Feb. 10 issue of the Archivesof Internal Medicine (163, 3:265-74, 2003) (http://archinte.ama-assn.org).

According to the researchers, IBS is a common disorder that brings with it asignificant burden of illness, poor quality of life, high rates of absenteeismand high health care utilization. Because management options are difficult andmany times ineffective, researchers noted many physicians and patients leantoward alternative therapies to alleviate symptoms such as flatulence, abdominalpain and irregular bowel habits.

Of these therapies, the researchers cited "guarded optimism" fortraditional Chinese medicine, as well as psychological therapies, although theynoted further trials are needed to definitively prove the benefits of eitherregimen. The researchers also stated oral cromolyn sodium may be useful fortreating chronic unexplained diarrhea, and appears as effective as and saferthan elimination diets, which are commonly used to treat symptoms of IBS,although there is no evidence of food intolerance in IBS. In reviewing theliterature on probiotic use in IBS, the researchers stated a lack of supportingevidence for a benefit of this treatment, which is believed to improve thelevels of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Contrarily, investigators from United Kingdom reviewed IBS research and notedthere are some studies showing improvement in IBS symptoms with probioticadministration (Br J Nutr, 88 Suppl 1:S67-S72, 2002) The researchers alsonoted IBS patients tend to have low numbers of the beneficial bacteria classesLactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. And, a team from the University of California,Los Angeles, found the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum to be superior toplacebo for improving IBS symptoms such as pain, bowel habit regularity andflatulence (Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol, 5, 4:267-78, 2002). Similarto the team from Chicago, the Los Angeles researchers also cited Chinesemedicine as being effective for improving bowel symptoms and quality of life inIBS patients.