Good Bacteria Useful for Ulcerative Colitis
(NY, Reuters Health, 7/28/05)

Dr. Richard N. Fedorak of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and team, treated 34 subjects who had active ulcerative colitis that failed to respond to standard treatments with a probiotic mixture. The mixture known as VSL#3 contained eight strains of “good” bacteria. After six weeks of twice daily doses of the VSL#3, 53 % of the participants experienced remission and 24 % more demonstrated some symptom improvement. The scientists tested tissue samples to confirm that the probiotic bacteria had actually reached the diseased areas. These findings suggest that treatment with probiotic bacteria may be an alternative to removal of the colon in unresponsive cases of ulcerative colitis.

(American Journal of Gastroenterology, July 2005)