Division of Gastroenterology
Do probiotics really work?
Most people know that antibiotics are a type of medicine that can combat the bacteria that cause illness or infection, but what about “probiotics”? Simply put, if antibiotics fight bacteria in your body, then probiotics help bacteria.
None of us could survive without bacteria. Your body is loaded – inside and out – with trillions of bacteria that help keep such areas as your digestive and immune systems working and even help to keep the “bad” bacteria at bay. Essentially when you become ill from a bacterial infection, it’s because the bad bacteria have begun to outnumber the good bacteria. Antibiotics help to restore the balance by eliminating bacteria. Unfortunately, antibiotics will sometimes kill off good bacteria too. That’s why it is not uncommon to experience some mild diarrhea when taking antibiotics. You can find probiotics in a variety of forms, from tablets and capsules in the vitamin aisle to yogurt in the dairy case at your neighborhood supermarket. Probiotics are also contained in some brands of juices and soy-based drinks. Most of these products will have labels that highlight their probiotic content.
The amount of money spent on probiotics in this country has tripled in the past decade, but the actual health benefits are still unclear. Several studies over the past decade have clearly indicated that probiotics could help with a wide variety of conditions. In November 2005, a conference cofunded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the National Institutes of Health) and the American Society for Microbiology issued a report that said there was encouraging evidence regarding the use of probiotics for several conditions, including diarrhea, urinary or vaginal tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome and children’s eczema. But, the report also cautioned that more research is needed before scientists will be able to draw firm conclusions about probiotics.
If you are experiencing regular episodes of diarrhea, abdominal pain or indigestion, or if you notice a change in your bowel habits or are having difficulty tolerating foods that previously didn’t bother you, then you can consider adding probiotics to your diet. Look for yogurts that clearly state the product is enriched with live cultures or for commercially produced supplements from companies whose name you recognize.
There are a few cautions to keep in mind about probiotics. While these are beneficial bacteria, they are not wonder drugs. In fact, probiotics are technically classified as supplements and are therefore not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as both prescription and over-the-counter medications are. Keep in mind, too, that probiotics is a term that applies to many different types of beneficial bacteria and not all strains will yield the same result. So, you will need to read labels carefully to be sure you are getting the same probiotic each time and to be able to tell your health care provider which supplements you are taking.
Finally, even though no evidence exists to show that probiotics will interact or diminish the effectiveness of any prescription medications, they could have a negative impact on your overall health. Because probiotics can help ease the symptoms of some conditions, there’s a danger that patients will delay consulting their physicians about the symptoms they are experiencing. Remember that most medical conditions are more easily treated or cured when diagnosed early.
Originally published in The University Doctor's MedicaLink- 4/10
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