Probiotics have healing effects for many diseases and bacteria overgrowth issues in your body. There are some people who may be susceptible to negative effects when consuming probiotics. Knowing the recommendations of who should avoid these microorganisms and the signs of side effects can help you determine if you are being helped or harmed by probiotics. Before you start probiotic supplements, consult with you health care provider.
Probiotics
Probiotics are found living in your digestive system, urinary tract and genital system and include live bacteria, yeast and viruses that are beneficial to your body. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, most probiotics are bacteria and these bacteria are grouped as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Different species reside within each group and different strains are within each species. Other names for probiotics include friendly or good bacteria but they are not the same as prebiotics. Prebiotics are not able to be digested, and they stimulate the activity and growth of beneficial microorganisms within the colon.
Sources
Probiotics come in dietary supplements and can be purchased over-the-counter. You can also receive probiotics through your diet by looking at labels and finding products that contain live and active culture. Examples of products that consist of probiotics include yogurt, miso, soy drinks, fermented or non-fermented milk and certain juices.
Uses
The Mayo Clinic promotes probiotics for the treatment of diarrhea, especially when it occurs after taking antibiotics. The clinic also lists probiotics useful for vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Other conditions that probiotics can be used to treat include irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal infections and eczema in children. Bladder cancer recurrence is reduced by probiotics and colds can occur less likely and less severely when you take probiotics.
Intolerance
People with compromised immune systems may be intolerant to probiotic supplements, causing bacteria over-growth to occur. This probiotic intolerance includes individuals with HIV/AIDS, short bowel syndrome, organ transplant recipients and people taking immunosuppressants. Medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine, sirolimus, daclizumab, basiliximab, mycophenolate, cyclosporine, muromonab-CD3, tacrolimus, prednisone and corticosteroids.
Considerations
Antibiotics are used to kill harmful bacteria in the body, but they may also kill friendly bacteria. To avoid this interaction, take probiotics at least two hours before or after you take antibiotics. The effects gained from one species or strain of probiotics are not necessarily the effects you will gain from other species or strains.
Member Comments