Research project led by Bailey Hanna, MS, RDN - no affiliate links, ads or sponsored products.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted in Iranian adults with IBS ( n=97 per protocol population) investigated the efficacy of this 4-strain probiotic blend. (1) The blend, consisting of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12®, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5®, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus LBY-27, and Streptococcus thermophilus STY-31, demonstrated moderate beneficial effects over placebo for symptoms such as incomplete defecation, bloating, and general symptom relief, with a small beneficial effect over placebo observed for abdominal pain.
No IBS subtype-specific analysis was conducted. The dosage regimen described in the study was unclear, but the product purportedly contained 4 billion CFU, which we assumed meant per capsule. Given that two doses were provided daily, we believe the likely dose administered was 8 billion CFU per day.
Key Takeaway
Based on evidence from one randomized placebo-controlled trial, this 4-strain probiotic, when taken at a daily dose of 8 billion CFU split between two doses and administered over a 4-week period, may help improve symptoms of IBS such as constipation, bloating, global IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain compared to placebo.
Dosing Instructions
Trial Duration
References:
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Therapeutic effects, tolerability and safety of a multi-strain probiotic in Iranian adults with irritable bowel syndrome and bloating
Arch Iran Med 2014 Jul;17(7):466-70
ADULTS
No data
At week 4, participants in the probiotic group experienced a significant reduction in feelings of incomplete defecation, with scores decreasing by -32.9 (±7.5). In contrast, the placebo group had a mean reduction of -12.6 (±6.3).
This difference was statistically significant, favoring the probiotic group (p<0.01; Cohen’s d = 0.77). Furthermore, these positive effects persisted for one month after treatment in the probiotic group, showing continued improvement (p=0.03).
Participants who received the probiotic treatment reported satisfactory relief of general symptoms at a rate 1.8 times higher than those who received the placebo. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.01; Cohen’s h = 0.84).
Using a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure abdominal pain, the probiotic group experienced a mean score reduction of -8.2 mm (95% CI: -12.5 to -3.9 mm). In contrast, the placebo group had a mean reduction of -2.1 mm (95% CI: -5.0 to +0.8 mm).
This reduction in the probiotic group was statistically significant compared to the placebo group (p=0.02; Cohen’s d = 0.44). Furthermore, the reductions in abdominal pain persisted one month after treatment ended in the probiotic group (p<0.01).
Using a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), participants in the probiotic group reported a mean score reduction in bloating of -13.0 mm (95% CI: -17.5 to -8.2 mm) at week 4.
In comparison, the placebo group had a mean reduction of -3.7 mm (95% CI: -7.1 to -0.2 mm). This improvement in the probiotic group was statistically significant compared to the placebo group (p<0.01, Cohen’s d = 0.61). Additionally, the beneficial effects in the probiotic group persisted one month after treatment ended (p=0.03).