Singing For Their Supper Remedy

START practising your Christmas carols — that is the message from experts to sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Two new studies bring hope to the one in five Brits who suffers from this condition at some time in their life - the second is the UK trial of a friendly-bacteria that also relieves symptoms.

Experts already know that singing boosts relaxation and raises energy levels.

Now Swedish scientists say it could help relieve stress-related conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, too.

Boffins at Stockholm University’s Stress Research Institute studied 55 IBS patients for a year.

Half the patients sang in a choir during the study, the other half didn’t.

They all filled in questionnaires and provided blood samples which were examined for motilin, an IBS-related stress hormone. The singers experienced less gastrointestinal pain and had lower levels of motilin than the non-choral group, according to a report in the journal Medical Hypotheses.

So, our gut feelings that a sing-song does you the world of good are true.

Closer to home, scientists at the University Of Sheffield have proved that friendly bacteria can beat the abdominal disorder.

Fifty-two IBS sufferers were recruited for the eight-week trial.

Half were given a high-strength probiotic called LAB4 and the rest were given a dummy pill.

Patients taking the LAB4 reported an improvement in symptoms within two weeks.

Lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Williams says: “This trial is encouraging news for IBS sufferers.”

Dr Williams said the fact that the friendly bugs could be delivered via a pill instead of a dairy-based food meant IBS patients who react to milk products can use it.

A supplement called ProVen, which uses the LAB4 strain is available, click here for details