Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disease, which means that there is nothing physically wrong with the body, but the digestive process is working incorrectly.
Probiotics are bacteria that help with digestion. They naturally occur in the body but can be low due to yeast or other bodily bacteria that compete for resources. Probiotics can be boosted through diet and supplementation, including soy yogurt.
IBS
Diet is the main treatment for IBS, although there are a few prescription drugs that treat the symptoms. Probiotics can improve the digestive process by reducing gas that causes bloating and cramping. It can also help develop more regular bowel movements. This can help with IBS since the main two symptoms are diarrhea and constipation. Some individuals suffer from only one or the other, while some have alternating bouts of both.
Bloating and cramping are other common symptoms; they are generally brought on by the chronic diarrhea and constipation though.
Probiotics
Increasing probiotic levels in the body helps lessen the severity of IBS symptoms. Probiotics are often referred to as "friendly bacteria." The human digestive system is full of bacteria and enzymes that help with digestion or are developed as the digestion process breaks down foods. Sometimes the body is depleted of probiotics, which can result in digestive problems as well as yeast infections. This generally happens when antibiotics have been used, as they kill both good and bad bacteria.
Soy Yogurt
Eating just one to two servings of soy yogurt a day is enough to provide beneficial levels of bacteria for people with IBS. It will take up to a week to see a difference in IBS symptoms from the probiotics. Start with only one serving a day for several days, then work up to two. If you start out with two a day you may experience an increase in symptoms as the body adjusts to the increase in probiotics.
Soy yogurt is considered a good source of probiotics, as it contains two types of bacteria that aid in digestion: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. It is also a good choice for those who are lactose intolerant. Many people with IBS are sensitive to milk products, so soy yogurt is a good source of probiotics that won't cause the same side effects as dairy-based yogurts.
In addition, a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that soy yogurt helps defend against the bacteria heliobacter pylori, which causes ulcers.
Tags: bacteria that, help with, Bowel Syndrome, diarrhea constipation, digestive process, good source, good source probiotics