A paper published in the Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition explores the role of probiotics in the management of functional gut problems in children. Published in July 2016, the authors conclude that appropriately selected organisms represent a plausible (read effective) intervention for such cases. However, strain specific bacteria were tested and random bacteria are not as effective.1

It will be of no real surprise to know that the incidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common. Around the world it is estimated that some 10-20% of the population suffer from it. This is not an inconsequential number, and apart from the miserable statistics, it comes with loss of function, misery, anxiety, pain, bloating, altered bowel habits and loss of quality of life.

Whilst a clear explanation of the cause remains somewhat elusive, there is an increasing acceptance that the relationship between the brain-gut axis, central nervous system, peripheral stress response, infection, dysbiosis, barrier defects, inflammation and immune imbalance play significant roles in the causation.