A new review has suggested that certain good bacteria, known as probiotics, are the most effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The study in the Journal of Microbiologyhas identified butyric acid as the most promising therapy for treating the disease.

Researchers say butyric acid has well-known anti-inflammatory effects and is able to strengthen intestinal wall cells. In addition, they say that bacterial strains such as F. prausnitzii and B.pullicaecorum secrete other anti-inflammatory compounds that may enhance the therapeutic effect.

"Conventional drug therapy has limited effectiveness and considerable side effects," said medical microbiologist Filip Van Immerseel. "Probiotics are live bacterial supplements or food ingredients, which when taken in sufficient numbers confer health benefits to the host. Recent trials focusing on butyric acid-producing bacterial strains have been extremely promising and could lead to a new treatment for IBD."

Van Immerseel says that finding the most effective strain to treat the disease will be difficult.

"As butyric acid-producing bacteria are naturally depleted in IBD patients, we will need to identify strains that are able to colonize the gut without being outcompeted," he said.

It’s estimated that as many as 1.5 million Americans suffer from some form of IBD, which is an inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract that causes severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. The most common manifestations of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.