Probiotics are live microorganisms, usually bacteria, that are intended to mimic the normal bacteria found in the human digestive tract. This normal bacteria is often referred to as gut flora or good bacteria. Probiotics are typically used as a part of complementary and alternative medicine procedures to promote good digestive health and eliminate digestive illness.
How Probiotics Work
To understand how probiotics work, it is important to understand the role of microorganisms in the digestive tract. Microorganisms in the digestive tract help complete the process of digestion, help produce certain vitamins and help reduce the effect of pre-carcinogenic compounds, according to US Probiotics. Probiotics are taken in an attempt to increase the amount of available microorganisms in the digestive tract, which is thought to improve digestive health.
Health Benefits
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is promising scientific evidence for a number of the health benefits associated with probiotic use. The American Society for Microbiology reported that probiotics were beneficial in treating diarrhea, preventing infections in the female urinary tract, treating irritable bowel syndrome and shortening the duration of an intestinal infection.
Scientific Data
One of the major known benefits of probiotics is the treatment of diarrhea. According to The Harvard Medical School, probiotics can shorten the duration of diarrhea in children and infants, but is not effective for adults. In a study reported in the Journal of Gastroenterology in June 2005, probiotic therapy can also be beneficial for those with digestive diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. Probiotics may also help improve lactose intolerance because the bacteria feed on the lactose that makes its way into the large intestine and helps to digest it. A study reported by BMJ in November 2005 also stated that probiotics may help prevent urinary tract infections in females.
Sources
Probiotics are often associated with fermented dairy products, such as yogurt. According to US Probiotics, this is because dairy protect the probiotics as they travel through the digestive system. Without the protection, the hydrochloric acid in the stomach can kill the probiotics, which would render them useless. Probiotics can also be taken as an oral supplement. These substances usually require refrigeration, which helps keep the live bacteria stable.
Considerations
When considering a probiotic regimen, it is important to discuss it with a health care provider. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that complementary techniques should not be used in place of conventional therapy. The use of probiotics may cause mild side effects, such as gas and bloating.
Member Comments