Ask Dr. Meg: Do probiotics help with bloating?
If you struggle with bloating you’re not alone.
Bloating is one of the most common and often most severe symptoms among our clients and those with functional digestive disorders such as irritable bowl syndrome (IBS).
Bloating is the sensation of increased pressure or gas in the intestines, often leading to gas pain and irritable bowels. You may feel like you can’t button your pants or “feel stuffed” usually after eating.
Patients often describe their bellies as looking “6-month pregnant” after a day’s worth of eating, a single meal, or sometimes no food at all.
I’ve had patients who were chronically bloated and woke up bloated and painfully distended. And clients who would bloat after drinking just water. 😳
For many people, bloating is caused by an imbalance of gut flora, also known as dysbiosis.
Probiotics can help ease bloating by correcting dysbiosis, improving bacterial diversity and the overall microbial environment in the gut. This in turn will improve digestion and the breakdown of foods that contribute to gas formation.
Think of your gut microbiome, the collection of microbes that assist us with daily life, as a nutrient rich soil of bacteria and other microbes that help you [the plant] grow and thrive.
If your soil is depleted of beneficial bacteria, your digestion, transmit time, immune system function and more will be negatively affected.
Replacing beneficial bacteria with a probiotic supplement is an important step in following a gut healing protocol to combat bloating.
We are proud partners of Seed and recommend the DS-01 Daily Synbiobic for those looking to add a multi-strain pro- and pre-biotic supplement to their routine.
Use code HHC15 for 15% off your first month of subscription.
The DS-01 Daily Symbiotic includes a curated blend of carefully selected strains to support digestive health, gut immunity and gut barrier function and integrity, all functions essential to avoid excess gas production and bloating.
If you struggle with bloating, talk to your provider, or reach out to our coaches. We are here to help.
References
Foley, A., Burgell, R., Barrett, J. S., & Gibson, P. R. (2014). Management strategies for abdominal bloating and distension. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 10(9), 561–571. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4991532/#!po=69.6429
Nobaek, S., Johansson, M. L., Molin, G., Ahrné, S., & Jeppsson, B. (2000). Alteration of intestinal microflora is associated with reduction in abdominal bloating and pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 95(5), 1231–1238. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02015.x
Megan is a board certified family nurse practitioner and founder of Holistic Health Code. Her mission is to provide holistic care and education to those who need it most.