Are Probiotics Good For You?

Probiotics have been given a lot of media coverage in the past few years with a message that we all should be supplementing with them for ultimate health. You may have seen on the supermarket shelves a variety of yoghurt and drinks enriched with probiotics. Pharmacies also offer a range of probiotics in capsule, freeze dried powder, wafer and liquid forms. Our intestines are crawling with bacteria but don’t be alarmed, these bacteria are friendly and play a huge role in digestive health and our overall well-being. The human digestive tract hosts over 400 of these friendly bacteria which are of benefit to us. Such large numbers of friendly bacteria help to prevent the invasion of malevolent micro-organisms. This article discusses the role of supplementing the diet with probiotics and the health benefits that can be gained.

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When normal levels of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract are disrupted, supplementing with probiotics can help return the intestinal tides back in your favor. It is common if you are taking a course of antibiotics, have a gastrointestinal infection and or taking birth control pills that you will experience gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea, bloating, flatus, abdominal pain and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Probiotics are useful for relieving these symptoms and returning the digestive tract back to health.

There are three main types of probiotics with rather long, difficult to pronounce names. These are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces Boulardii. All of these healthy strains of bacteria can be found as single entities or in combination in probiotic products available on the market. Lactobacillus is the most commonly found bacteria in probiotics and is useful for treating generalized diarrhea. Bifidobacterium is useful for treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics and traveller’s diarrhea. Whereas Saccharomyces Boulardii can help treat infectious diarrhea, antibiotic induced diarrhea, yeast infections, urinary tract infections and is showing promising results in treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and crohns disease. All of these strains of bacteria are normally found in a healthy digestive tract.

The Health Benefits of Supplementing with Probiotics

• Preventing and Treating Diarrhea

Probiotics help to destroy germs and bacteria which cause diarrhea and promotes a healthy digestive tract. Diarrhea is common following treatment with antibiotics because these medications also destroy healthy bacteria in the gut. Probiotic supplementation replenishes healthy bacteria following antibiotic treatment.

• Vaginal Health and Urinary Tract Infection Prevention

Yeast infections are common in women and usually occur because of an imbalance in acidic levels of the vagina. Probiotics can help restore the acid balance to normal levels, helping to prevent and treat yeast infections. It has also been found to be effective in treating and preventing urinary tract infections in both men and women.

• Colds and Influenza Prevention and Treatment

Studies show that people who supplement with probiotics report less instances of cold and influenza symptoms. Probiotics are believed to help destroy germs and bacteria responsible for colds and influenza. The severity and duration of symptoms is also dramatically reduced if you are taking probiotics also. Currently scientists are studying the effect of probiotics on the H1N1 strain in mice and is showing some promising results.

• Bowel Cancer Prevention

Early studies are showing that probiotics may help to prevent bowel cancer by maintaining healthy bacteria in the bowel, promoting bowel tissue health and preventing cellular changes that result in bowel cancers.

• Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome causes abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, gas and cramping. It is believed to be possibly caused by an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the bowel. Probiotic supplementation is showing positive results for relieving symptoms associated with this disease.

• Treatment for Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Both these diseases affect the gastrointestinal tract with severe gastrointestinal disturbances and malabsorbtion of nutrients. Early studies are showing positive results with probiotic supplements. More clinical studies need to be performed to determine which strains of bacteria are the most effective.

• Boosts Immune Function

Probiotics adhere to the walls of the digestive tract preventing the invasion of disease causing bacteria. The body’s immune system does not have to concentrate on the digestive tract as it is well protected and hence can concentrate on the rest of the body. Probiotics also stimulate antibody production which helps to fight infection.

Probiotics are generally considered safe to consume, because they are not considered drugs and are therefore not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It should be noted that some products on supermarket shelves have been found not to contain the strains of healthy bacteria that they claim to have and it is questionable whether the bacteria survives in some packaged environmental conditions. Some claims of health benefits on packaging is also questionable. They should not be taken by anyone with a compromised immune system, such as blood cancers, Aids and other chronic diseases. They can cause overgrowth of healthy bacteria leading to infection and in severe cases sepsis which can be fatal. It should also be noted that you should not just take any strain of probiotics to treat symptoms. It is recommended that you discuss taking it with a doctor who can prescribe the right strain of healthy bacteria specific to your ailment. Most people report an improvement in symptoms after 2 weeks of taking the supplement but if symptoms worsen you should stop taking it and consult your doctor.

Sources

University of Maryland Medical Center Lactobacillus acidophilus

The Lancet Probiotics or con?

BBC News Probiotics 'have effect on gut'