Sophie22I'll type what the label says - I'm sure it'll make more sense:"The Multidophilus 12 formula was designed to include 12 of the most important strains of beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are intended to provide nutritive support for the normal absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract. Each serving provides over 20 billion friendly micro-organisms. To maximize survival of the microorganisms, each vegetarian capsule is enteric coated to help allow for passage through harsh stomach acids and into the small intestine." "Probiotic blend: B. lactis, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum, L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. bulgaricus, L. paracasel, L. planatarum, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius and Strptococcus themophilus." It all made so much sense to me when I found the medical studies about an overabundance of yeast and/or bad bacteria in our intestines. Antibiotics in many people can quickly kill off all the good bacteria in our intestines needed for proper digestion. When the good is killed off the bad takes over. Many people get a build up of yeast and bad bacteria after antibiotics - I think this had alot to do with my problem. GSE does it's thing by killing off all the bad baceria and yeast. Once it's gone the probiotics can than take over by replacing the bad with the good. I really think the reason I became so constipated was because of the length of time I've had this problem. 20 years is big part of my 49 year life. I have been miserable for much of my life! It's almost as if my intestines became a bit paralized and didn't know how to work properly anymore. They are relearning how to do their job in a way. I am still eating lots of navy and northern beans. I don't know much about flaxseed oil. When I check out medical studies I have to sort through any information on anything that causes bleeding. I have a clotting disorder and have to be very carefull with anything that might make my insides bleed or that thins my blood and makes me even more prone to bleeding of cuts, etc. I just Googled flaxseed / bleeding and pages and am amazed at all the articles of flaxseed causes bleeding. That's why I pass on anything that's associated with bleeding.How long have you had IBS? I really think the shorter the length of time someones had it may be a big factor in determining how long it takes the intestines to adjust to working properly. My entire digestive system seems better and better every day.