BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Intestinal bacteria have been implicated in the initiation and perpetuation of IBD; in contrast, "probiotic bacteria" have properties possibly effective in treating and preventing relapse of IBD. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of VSL#3 and the components, and the composition of the biopsy-associated microbiota in patients with active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS:

Image Courtesy: Crohns.Net

Probiotic formulation VSL#3 appears promising in relieving abdominal bloating in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Science Correspondent for the Telegraph in Amsterdam has reported on the findings of a Finnish study.

“Researchers found that women who took the food supplement during and after pregnancy saw a bigger reduction in both their waistline and overall body fat.

They found that six months after pregnancy the women taking the probiotic were half as likely to have a pot belly.

A new study in the March issue of Postgraduate Medicine suggests that a strain of probiotic bacteria, Bacillus coagulans, also known as GanedenBC30 ( GBI-30, PTA-6086), increases the body's immune response to viruses that cause common viral respiratory tract infections like colds and flu.

The study showed a significant increase in T-cell production of TNF-alpha, a key immune marker, versus control on exposure to adenovirus and influenza A in healthy adults who took a daily capsule of GanedenBC30 for 30 days.

Treating patients with bacteria may be an effective way of reducing their risk of repeatedly developing painful kidney stones, a study suggests. People naturally carrying the bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes were found to be 70% less likely to have problems.

In an article posted on May 28, 2008, New Scientist magazine says, "The good bacteria that inhabit our guts are more beneficial than we imagined. As well as crowding out dangerous organisms, they also release molecules that may protect us against inflammatory diseases, such as colitis."