If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD or other chronic, gastrointestinal problems, you may be interested in exploring probiotic treatment options to alleviate your symptoms. Probiotics, or “good” bacteria, have helped many people cope with symptoms connected to gastrointestinal illness, as micro-doses of the living bacteria have proven to help restore chemical balance to a troubled digestive tract.
Probiotics are becoming more popular all the time—though two supplements, each available in pill form, dominate today’s market. Each one has its pros and cons, and each is designed to treat different conditions.
VSL#3
For starters, there’s VSL#3: a probiotic that is created and distributed by Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals. VSL#3 was initially designed to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and ileal pouch in both adults and children. Each capsule contains eight strains of probiotic bacteria, and the treatment’s unique mix of both bifidobacterium and the lactobacillus strains helps reduce the permeability of your intestine, creating an anti-inflammatory response in the gut. However, VSL#3’s efficacy is entirely reliant on its dosage, which will itself vary depending on your diagnosis. Some users report that a low dosage of VSL#3 helps treat their symptoms, but others require a higher dosage to see change. For best results, this pill should be taken daily; experts prescribe imbibing one to two pills per day, depending on your symptoms.
Depending on the version of VSL#3 you take, capsules of the supplement may contain anywhere between 122.5 billion live bacteria per unit and 900 billion live lactic acid bacteria cultures. But take note: the presence of more bacterial cultures in a single pill does not necessarily mean this probiotic will be stronger, or more effective for treating your gastrointestinal distress. How well this supplement will work for you is commensurate with your doctor’s prescriptive discretion, and your own, unique body.
Align
Align, another trusted product, is also designed to treat gastrointestinal troubles in adults and children. Created and distributed by Proctor and Gamble, Align is composed of only one strain of probiotic bacteria: bifidobacterium infantis 35624. This patented strain is best used for treating IBS symptoms, though studies are inconclusive as to its effects on similar ailments. According to the probiotic’s homepage, Align aims to “fortify your digestive system” and help “maintain digestive support.” This supplement is gluten-free and should be taken daily. Each capsule may contain up to one billion live bacteria per unit.
Side Effects
Both supplements may create changes in your digestive system, especially when you are first beginning a treatment regimen. While taking either Align and VSL#3, you may initially experience bloating, constipation, or additional gas as your body adjusts to the additional bacteria. These symptoms should diminish after a week of taking either daily pill.
You should inform your doctor and cease taking either supplement should you experience fever, chills, rash, or extreme nausea while on Align or VSL#3.
Drawbacks to consider
Align does contain additives, so for those interested in specifically homeopathic treatment methods for their ailments, this may present a problem. However, no public studies exist correlating additives in Align to any adverse side effects.
VSL#3 is a little more expensive than Align, at roughly $50 for a box of sixty capsules (a month’s supply). Align is around $23, for a box containing 28 capsules—and because Align is prescribed with a more precise dosage across the board, 28 capsules typically suffices for thirty days.
And while early research suggests that VSL#3’s unique blend may render this probiotic a more effective treatment for a wider variety of gastrointestinal problems, the mystery surrounding this product’s dosage/efficacy ratio keeps it from being a cut and dry frontrunner. While very high doses of VSL#3 have been proven to treat additional ailments, like ulcerative colitis (whereas Align has only been conclusively tested for efficacy with IBS) doctors still have trouble explaining why and when the probiotic works in certain doses, but not others.
As is the case with most probiotics, the FDA has not approved either Align or VSL#3 for treating IBS, IBD, ileal pouch or ulcerative colitis. The effectiveness of both Align and VSL#3 may be compromised if you take these supplements while on antibiotics or certain antifungals.
Which one is right for me?
When experimenting with probiotic treatments for your IBS or related ailment, you should expect to try out a number of drug combinations before experiencing a real change. Work with your doctor to monitor your body’s responses to these supplements. Experts say that you should expect to experiment with each of these treatment methods for up to four weeks before seeing conclusive results.
Be sure to follow all package and storage instructions while taking either Align or VSL#3.
