Bacteria is usually thought of in a negative way, such as being harmful, dirty or as the cause of infections. Unlike harmful bacteria, however, probiotics have often been recommended to help with illnesses and related side effects, including diarrhea. Probiotics show potential to help with diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections, yeast infections and eczema, reports the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Background
Probiotics are the "friendly" bacteria that are present in our digestive tract and help with digestion, fight off harmful bacteria and benefit the immune system. They are also present in the foods we eat, such as some yogurts, some types of milk, soy products and some juices. Look for probiotics on the food label of fortified foods. They are also available as supplements in liquid, powder or capsule forms.
Basics
Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors that include bacterial and viral infections, parasites, certain diseases, the side effects of some medications and food intolerance, according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse. Researchers have discovered that probiotics seem to be more effective in treating diarrhea caused by certain illnesses.
Benefits
Probiotics are not a cure for diarrhea; however, their use can help shorten its duration and reduce its severity, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Warning
The safety of consuming probiotics has not been extensively studied. Side effects are typically mild, such as gas or bloating. However, more severe side effects such as infections, gene transfer or metabolic changes are possible, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It also notes that more research is needed to determine the safety of probiotics in the elderly, young children and people with compromised immune systems.
Expert Insight
A 2007 review article published in the Journal of Nutrition notes that more research is needed, specifically epidemiological and large intervention studies, regarding the use of probiotics on a long-term basis. The authors of this article also discovered that study results are not strong enough to give specific recommendations for probiotics use to treat diarrhea. Exceptions include diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics.
References
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research: Probiotics: Important for a Healthy Diet?
- National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse: Diarrhea
- MedlinePlus: Diarrhea
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- Journal of Nutrition: Probiotics and Prebiotics: Effects on Diarrhea; Michael de Vrese and Philippe R. Marteau; March 2007
