Probiotics serves as a way of colonizing the gastrointestinal tract with non-pathogenic microorganisms to discourage the growth of the disease-causing bacteria. Its uses include the enhancement of the gastrointestinal tract barrier function and the improvement in the systemic immunity of distant organs such as the female genital tract, the skin and the nose. According to a study published by "Current Opinion in Gastroenterology" in 2004, probiotics prove to be safe in the treatment of patients with an intact immune system. However, as mentioned by Medline Plus, patients with decreased immunity must practice caution in the use of probiotics.
Lactobacillus Infection
Medline Plus states that the use of probiotics, such as lactobacillus, can sometimes cause some problems in patients with weakened immunity. Diabetic patients, patients with HIV or AIDS infection and patients using medications to prevent transplant rejection are most susceptible to the development of lactobacillus infection. Patients with short bowel syndrome, a condition that results from a shortened intestinal length due to surgery, must also be cautious with its use. Medline Plus recommends that patients with decreased immunity contemplating to take this supplementation must first seek the advice of their health care provider before taking in any kind of probiotic supplementation.
Fungemia
Fungemia results from the over-growth of yeast from probiotics within the gastrointestinal tract. According to a study published in the November 2003 issue of "Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrisft (1946)," a German medical journal, patients with multiple co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems, must practice caution in using probiotic supplementation because of the possible development of fungemia. As mentioned in this study, patients using antibiotic oral medications are also likely to be susceptible to this infectious disease. Thus, patients must see their health care provider first before taking any probiotic preparations to prevent fungemia from occuring.
Gastrointestinal Disturbance
Medline Plus mentions that probiotic supplementation can sometimes lead to the occurrence of gastrointestinal disturbances such as watery diarrhea and abdominal bloating. Furthermore, as stated by the said study published by "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology," patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, a serious intestinal condition that causes intermittent bouts of abdominal pains, fever and diarrhea, must practice caution in the use of this supplementation because of the possible ulcerative colitis attack it may bring. Patients diagnosed to have this intestinal condition must seek the guidance of their health care provider before starting the use of probiotic supplementation.
References
- "Current Opinion in Gastroenterology"; Probiotics and Prebiotics in Gastrointestinal Disorders; Fedorak, R.N. et al.; 2004
- Medline Plus: Lactobacillus
- "Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrisft (1946)"; Fungemia after oral treatment with Saccharomyces boulardii in a patient with multiple comorbidities; Lestin, F. et al.; November 2003
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