What Is the Most Effective Probiotic for IBS?

Many people with IBS mention this probiotic as one that helped them feel better. What does the research say about this bacteria?

Science Based

I've come across the idea several times that the exact probiotic strains may not be all that important. What matters more is including different groups, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, soil-based probiotics, and taking enough of them.

But when it comes to IBS, one strain seems to come up again and again; Bifidobacterium infantis 35624. It is mentioned more frequently than others in IBS-focused threads online.

But what does the research actually say about this bacteria?

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and Inflammation

In recent years, dysbiosis has been increasingly discussed as one of the key factors behind IBS and SIBO.

This interesting study shows that when inflammation decreases, IBS symptoms such as pain, bloating and bowel movement difficulty can improve as well.

Another group of participants received Lactobacillus salivarius UCC4331, but the results were not the same. This suggests that probiotic benefits may depend on the specific species and strain.

The Right Dose of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 for IBS

How much Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 do you need to improve IBS symptoms?

More is not always better.

In this study, researchers tested 3 different doses of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 - 1 million, 100 million, and 10 billion bacteria. Surprisingly, the dose that worked best for IBS symptoms was 100 million bacteria (the middle dose).

B. infantis 35624 at a dose of 1 x 10(8) cfu was significantly superior to placebo and all other bifidobacterium doses for the primary efficacy variable of abdominal pain as well as the composite score and scores for bloating, bowel dysfunction, incomplete evacuation, straining, and the passage of gas at the end of the 4-wk study.

Since high-dose probiotics can be quite expensive, it's encouraging that 100 million bacteria was enough to produce benefits for IBS.

B. infantis 35624 and Quality of Life

Another study on Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 looked at its effects on IBS severity and quality of life.

The results are impressive, with 57% of patients either moving into a milder IBS category or achieving remission.

Thirty days of treatment with B. longum 35624 reduces disease severity and improves the quality of life of patients with IBS, particularly those with the most severe forms of IBS.

Participants took 1 billion CFU of B. longum 35624 daily for 30 days.

The Bottom Line

One important detail: you'll still often see Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 mentioned in older studies and IBS communities online, but it is now classified as Bifidobacterium longum 35624.

I also came across another study suggesting that that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 may help people with chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis.

How? By reducing inflammation, so its beneficial effects are not limited to the gut alone.