do probiotics influence health?

Question

do probiotics influence health , ie; IBS , treatment after anti biotics, and food supplementary ? A lot of medical journals contradict each other on the internet and some are out of date. Any clues on info?

Answer 1

There have been some very respectable research papers published which show that certain probiotics are beneficial for IBS & other symptoms. The following articles should help you.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/455964
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/464550_5

Answer 2

They do help if you have an imbalance. Your GI tract has tons of bacteria that is necessary for you to be healthy. If you have an imbalance, such as after taking antibiotics or having a stomach virus, probiotics will form temporary colonies until your natural flora are reestablished. Certain organisms, such as Lactobacillus, are able to survive in highly acidic environments because they have physiological mechanisms that allow them to maintain their own pH even in these environments.

For probiotics to work, you have to make sure that you have an effective supplement. Just as other supplements, there are certain ones on the market that just don't work. Sometimes the cultures die before you buy the supplement. You can try taking two doses at once and see if you get gassy; that would indicate it is working. You could also eat fermented foods, such as yogurt. Make sure the yogurt says it has live cultures although there have been studies that even processed yogurts do help as well.

Answer 3

Yes the jury is still out on this one. Probiotics apparently contain good bacteria that help to keep the intestines healthy. Certain medications, especially anti-biotics kill a large proportion of our natural healthy flora (bacteria et al) and probiotics replace those that have been destroyed and support the system better.

To be quite honest, everyone's physiology is different. If you can afford it, try different ones; yoghurt drinks, yoghurts, powders etc and see if it works.

After trying a few, the plain organic natural yoghurt from rachel's works for me and I only add manuka honey to sweeten.

Answer 4

Probiotics have very little - if any influence on the health of the digestive system. The bacterium they contain is largely killed by the stomach acid before entering the intestine. If you're that concerned, eat extra fruit & veg. It'll do lots more good than over-priced yoghurt drinks.

Answer 5

Yes, Probiotics boost the body's immune system.

Answer 6

most defiantly they work to get your normal GI flora back in check,have a patient with chronic c-diff ,probiotic has helped out so much.for the last yr he had c-diff every month since starting probiotic it has been 2mos since he has had c-diff

Answer 7

well it takes something special to get past the hydrochloric acid we have in our stomachs. so unless you dont have any in yours, they wont do a lot. However some people swear by them, but this may be due to a psychological effect, like aplacebo, thinkin they are makin themselves less bloated, more healthy etc

Answer 8

ONLY IN COMBINATION WITH PREBIOTICS

WHICH MANY YOGHURTS BASED DRINKS WHICH CLAIM TO HAVE PROBIOTIC EFFECTS FORGET