IBS is a chronic disorder affecting the gut-brain interaction. Contributing factors to IBS are high stress, diets that generate inflammation, and alterations in the gut microbiota. With these in mind, we can see that IBS is a widespread wellness issue.
According to some estimates, IBS reaps up to $30 billion annually in the US and approximately €149.4 billion in Europe in healthcare and quality of life costs. These statistics illustrate a definitive need for supplement solutions for symptom management.
A solid solution
Probiotics are often the first natural solution people with IBS turn to. However, a more effective probiotic yeast is a patented probiotic yeast registered under Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856, called ibSium®. This strain is supported by five clinical trials involving 1,482 IBS patients.
Four double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials and a meta-analysis have shown that Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 can significantly relieve occasional gastrointestinal symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
ibSium® proof of efficacy in IBS
IBS is felt not only with intense lower GI pain but also discomfort from bloating and disruptions in bowel transit.
Abdominal pain is the most frequently reported and most disabling symptom in individuals with IBS. In a clinical study, 63% of volunteers experienced a significant reduction in abdominal pain. Additionally, respondents showed a 37% reduction in abdominal pain within 15 days.
A meta-analysis of IBS patients also studied the effect of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 on bloating. The results show a 14.6% reduction in bloating in the group that received the probiotic yeast compared to the placebo group.
S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 as ibSium® also positively modulates bowel transit. Changes in transit can be monitored by assessing stool consistency using the Bristol Stool Scale, a validated measure of intestinal transit based on stool consistency. A score of 1 or 2 on this scale is associated with constipation, while a score of 6 or 7 is associated with diarrhoea. A score between 3 and 5 characterises normal stools.
In the study, S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 effectively normalised stool consistency in patients with IBS-C (constipation dominance) and IBS-D (diarrhoea predominance). A significant improvement in stool consistency was reported after 4 and 8 weeks (vs. placebo), with stools classified as "normal" as early as 4 weeks in the supplement group.
As symptoms ease, quality of life improves. These studies have also shown extra benefits from elevated quality of life, such as improved self-image, reduced food aversion, and less interference with daily activities.
Further, a meta-analysis by renowned gastroenterology experts was published in 2023, comparing the effects of scientifically backed biotic strains on abdominal pain. S. cerevisiae I-3856 was identified as the only probiotic strain with a demonstrated effect on abdominal pain and recognised as one of the most well-documented probiotic strains for managing gastrointestinal symptoms.
In summary, the mighty probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 as ibSium® can exert anti-pathogenic actions in the gut without permanently colonising the microbiome. Bonus: this probiotic yeast doesn't interact with antibiotics, making it safe to use alongside antibiotic treatments.