Probiotics for Digestive Health

So many people have been asking about probiotics and if I take them. The answer is yes I do take them and have felt great since being on them for the last 4 years. Here is some research I found that may help to answer some other questions. It was written by Beth Orenstein and medically reviewed by Christine Craig. You may be hearing and seeing more about probiotics these days, but these “friendly” bacteria are nothing new. Indeed, the word probiotic is of Greek origin and means “for life.” “Almost every culture has a fermented food that contains probiotics,” says Donald Novey, MD, an integrative medicine physician with the Advocate Medical Group in Park Ridge, Ill. Products like yogurt, miso (fermented soybean paste), and some juices and soy beverages contain probiotics. Probiotics are available as dietary supplements (in pill, tablet, capsule, or powder form) in health food or vitamin stores. The friendly bacteria may naturally occur in foods and supplements, or they may be added during preparation. Probiotics Latest Research: In the last few years, spending on probiotic products has been climbing steadily in the United States. Many people use probiotics as a complementary or alternative medicine to maintain good digestive health and prevent disease. However, scientific evidence of their benefits is somewhat limited — a number of well-designed clinical trials are under way. Stephen Bickston, MD, AGAF, professor of internal medicine and director of the inflammatory bowel disease center at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Center in Richmond, says there is science-based research taking place on probiotic supplements, and how much of a particular ingredient is necessary to bring about change. Probiotics: Food vs. Supplements When it comes to probiotics, it appears that 10 billion live "friendly" bacteria is the magic dose, Dr. Novey says. That number may sound like a lot, but that’s about how many are in an eight-ounce carton of yogurt. (Check the expiration date, Novey says: The further away the date, the more live bacteria the yogurt is likely to contain.) The probiotic supplements you buy in the health food store probably contain about 10 billion live bacteria per capsule as well. But Novey says it’s better to get your daily intake of probiotics from yogurt and other fermented foods than from pills or capsules. For example, yogurt also provides calcium, a much-needed nutrient. “Capsules are better when you need to recover your colon from having taken antibiotics,” he says. Probiotics: The Benefits Probiotics are used to treat cramping, gassiness and diarrhea, especially if these symptoms are caused by antibiotics that treat infection. When antibiotics kill the good bacteria in addition to the bad, the balance of bacteria in the colon is disrupted. “You can use probiotics to help bring the colon bacteria back into balance,” Novey says. Some people who are lactose-intolerant also find probiotics help ease their symptoms. Lactose intolerance is a condition where the enzyme needed to break down lactose, the sugar in milk, is lacking. The condition can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Researchers are studying whether probiotics might help prevent vaginal infections, skin infections, tooth decay and periodontal disease, and other conditions. “I think eating foods containing probiotics at regular intervals is a good idea for the intestines because it’s good to have those friendly bacteria there,” Novey says. However, different species or strains of probiotics, as well as different ways of preparation, can cause varying effects. Some people find that probiotics cause them to feel bloated and even gassier. If you use a probiotic product and the effects concern you, talk to your doctor.