Probiotics: They May Be Beneficial, But Not As Much As Many People Think

[LoShiNi]

Probiotics, sometimes called “good bacteria,” are microorganisms, promoted as beneficial for your health. They are found in certain foods, such as yogurt or kefir, and are available in the form of supplements. But are they really as good for us as their manufacturers would have us believe? The US Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved probiotics to treat any condition and regulate them as food. While there is evidence that they may help with some conditions and side effects of some treatments, more research is needed to find out which types and what amounts of them are actually helpful.

There are many types of probiotics, all of which may be beneficial in different ways. Two major groups include Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Lactobacilli seem to help people with lactose intolerance, and Bifidobacteria may improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

There is some evidence that probiotics may help relieve the symptoms of:

- antibiotic-associated diarrhea;

- infectious diarrhea caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites;

- irritable bowel syndrome;

- lactose intolerance.


Evidence about the following is inconclusive:

- infant colic;

- necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies;

- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis;

- eczema and hay fever;

- “boosting the immune system”;

- prevention of colds and flu;

- vaginal conditions.

It’s best to consult your doctor before starting to take probiotics. Your doctor will recommend the ones that are the most beneficial for you. And while probiotics are safe for healthy adults, they may cause problems for people with weakened immune system.

Under no circumstances should you substitute your prescribed treatment with probiotics. They are not a treatment in itself; they can only be used as an addition to treatment.