Effects of probiotic yoghurt on symptoms and intestinal microbiota in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of probiotic yoghurt Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Eighty‐three IBS patients yielded data to be analysed from this 9‐week, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind and randomized trial. The patients consumed either a LGG‐containing probiotic yoghurt (treatment group; n = 44) or a placebo ( n = 39) twice daily for 6 weeks. The results indicate that this probiotic yoghurt was effective in alleviating some IBS symptoms and resulted in slight changes in certain gut microbiota. Probiotic yoghurt may represent a treatment for some gastrointestinal disorders.