Cohort Studies on Potential Use of Homemade Yogurt for Systematic Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for Remission and Cure

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a complexinflammatory disease of gastrointestinal tract affectingquality of life and productivity caused by alteration of theintestinal bacteria resulting in disruption of the Gut BrainAxis. Replenishing the gut microbiota with lactic acid bacteria(LAB) delivered through homemade yogurt is used to achieveremission and complete cure for IBS. Present study aimed toevaluate if homemade yogurts as dietary supplement withoutchanging food habits in patients can provide remission andcure for `Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).Material and methods: The background details on occurrenceof IBS was collected on sample population (n=10330) fromIndia in the age group of 45 - 90+ years from different distinctregions. Laboratory studies for strain identification, stabilityand suitability were conducted on yogurt. 150 patientsidentified were then treated with daily dosage of 24ouncesfor a period of 400 days. 189 patients with severe IBS of agegroup 15 yr to 75 yrs in United States were treated followingsame protocol. Placebo studies were conducted on n=17 for aperiod of 400 days where patients were allowed to maintaintheir routine dietary habits.Results: Yogurt has all desired physicochemical andmicrobiological characteristics to be used for treating IBS.91% of the sample population achieved remission within180+/-20 days and 96.4% achieved complete cure within300 days. 98.2% of the population achieved remission andcomplete cure within 400 days in Indian trials. The IBSpatients from the United States (n=189) achieved completecure within 180-200days. (P <.001)Conclusion: Homemade yogurt has all desired probioticcharacteristics and offers remission and complete cure for IBSwithout any side effects if consumed in sufficient quantitieson regular basis.