- With Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist
Michael Picco, M.D.
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Michael Picco, M.D.
Michael Picco, M.D.
Dr. Michael F. Picco has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Picco is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a consultant in gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
He has authored numerous publications in the area of gastroenterology, including original research, editorials and textbook chapters. He works with a team of gastroenterologists that takes care of complex gastrointestinal conditions and has a particular interest in diarrheal illnesses and inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). He is also active in medical education in training new gastroenterologist and internists.
"MayoClinic.com is an invaluable resource for patients and their families," Dr. Picco said. "Informed patients are better able to participate in their own health care. A patient's participation is vital to the treatment of his or her disease. I hope to assist in helping patients understand their digestive problems and current treatments that are offered. This will allow for better communication between patients, their physicians and other health care professionals."
Dr. Picco serves as a reviewer of new research for several medical journals in the area of gastroenterology and is an active member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. He serves on numerous committees that address physician training, research and clinical practice in gastroenterology, both at Mayo Clinic and at the national level.
"Patients need to know about their disease, what to expect, the latest treatments and side effects so that they can make informed decisions about their health care. Gastrointestinal disease affects not only patients but also their families. My goal is to assure that our Web site provides accurate, reliable information and resources for patients. We must always provide the latest, most cutting-edge information to assist patients in dealing with their medical problems," Dr. Picco said.
Definition (1)
- Spastic colon: What does it mean?
Symptoms (2)
- Food allergy vs. food intolerance: What's the difference?
- IBS in children: Is it possible?
Causes (1)
- Fructose intolerance: Can it cause IBS?
Treatments and drugs (1)
- Fiber supplements: Are they safe to take every day?
Alternative medicine (2)
- Candida cleanse: What does it treat?
- Prebiotics: What are they?
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- IBS diet: Can yogurt ease symptoms?
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Question
IBS diet: Can yogurt ease symptoms?
Are yogurts that claim to aid digestion, such as Dannon's Activia, good for an IBS diet?
Answer
from Michael Picco, M.D.
Adding certain kinds of yogurt to your diet may help ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to some research. Yogurts containing the bacteria lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, the bacteria found in Activia, show the most promise.
Yogurt is made by adding cultures of certain bacteria to milk. These microorganisms convert the lactose in the milk to lactic acid. The lactic acid gives yogurt its characteristic tart taste and causes the milk to form a soft curd.
A variety of cultures can be used in making yogurt — some of which may have health benefits. These beneficial, or "good," bacteria (probiotics) are normally found in your large intestine. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are two of the "good bacteria" used in some yogurts.
Some research has shown that probiotics can decrease gas, pain and bloating associated with IBS. Certain probiotics can also decrease the time it takes for food to move through the intestine, which may be helpful in people with constipation. In people with IBS who have diarrhea, probiotics may decrease the frequency of loose stools.
Probiotic therapy is an area of active medical research. Although probiotics are generally considered safe, more research is needed to determine what role, if any, probiotics may play in the treatment of IBS. Before adding probiotic therapy to an IBS diet, talk to your doctor.
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