Hype or Truth….What Do Probiotics Really Treat Anyway??? (Part 2 of 3)
Quick recap! 
Last week, we talked about the conflicting information in the news regarding probiotics. This week, we will briefly discuss probiotic uses.
From a very clinical, study-based prospective, probiotics have been studied to be effective for the following conditions:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Diarrhea (acute infectious, antibiotic-associated, and persistent)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia
The following conditions have been studied but, to date, have shown no benefit:
- Crohn’s disease
- Pancreatitis
- Eczema
- Ulcerative colitis
You will notice these are all active diseases that have been studied, but what about preventative use? You’ll recall from last week that we find them in everything lately! And here’s where the conflict arises, because there are few medical providers who will commit to the benefits of probiotic preventative use. However, in a Swedish study of 262 workers, those who took probiotics were 42% less likely to take a sick day for an upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. In addition, many European studies show that regular doses help reduce and prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections.
They accomplish all this by producing their own form of antibiotics, blocking the bad guys from adhering to the gut, and spurring production of special messengers called cytokines, which communicate with the immune system throughout the body. There is also a body growing evidence that probiotics may even enhance your mood, thanks to a similar interaction with the central nervous system.
So the conclusion is simple, right? Take probiotics. Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. There are more than 3,000 species of good bacteria in your gut, and each has its own skill set. The strains that you’re consuming may not help reduce colds or fight diarrhea, for example. And they have to be handled correctly, so they aren’t killed during processing or storage. Adding to all the confusion, keep in mind that no more than 10% of products that claim to be probiotic have been proven in human trials. So how do you get started or change course? Here are a couple of definitions to help you weed through the hype:
- CFUs: “Colony forming units” and there should be at least a billion.
- Strain: Seek out the specific bacteria that will help your problem. For general health, take a brand that contains both a Lactobacillus and a Bifidobacterium. If you are trying to treat other issues, such as bacterial vaginosis, search out strains that promote/prevent this condition.
- Activity Guarantee: Includes an expiration date, plus directions on how to handle the product at home. Some probiotics are room-temperature stable, but all benefit from cooler temps. I prefer freezing them.
- Acid Resistance: Stabilization to survive harsh stomach acids. If they can’t survive the stomach journey, they’re useless. The bottle should say, “acid stabilized” or “microencapsulated.”
- Prebiotics: Ready-made food sources for the bacteria. They’re not necessary, but beneficial.
Now that we have the basics, next week, we can talk about conditions and product selection. I look forward to hearing your questions and comments!
-Mindful Medicine Girl ?
