Your intestines are full of bacteria, but don't worry, they're your allies. Probiotics are microorganisms that live in the human intestinal tract, where their presence helps protect against colonization by harmful microbes. Probiotics are found in a number of fermented milk products, such as yogurt and kefir, and are also available in supplement form at most natural foods retailers. A number of intestinal disorders respond well to probiotics.
Diarrhea
A number of forms of diarrhea have been found to respond favorably to treatment with probiotics. One of these forms is diarrhea from antibiotics, in which a course of antibiotic therapy used to address a bacterial infection prompts a case of diarrhea. Probiotics can help to stabilize the microbial population of the intestines after antibiotics have disrupted the normal population of healthy bacteria that reside there. Traveler's diarrhea may also respond well to probiotics, with no serious side effects. In April 2002, a meta-analysis of 26 different studies, which was published in the journal "Pediatrics," found that the probiotic Lactobacillus was a safe and effective treatment for infectious diarrhea in children.
Pouchitis
If you've undergone a colectomy to help manage your ulcerative colitis, you may experience a complication known as pouchitis. Pouchitis occurs when the ileal pouch that your surgeon created becomes inflamed. In 2007, the journal "Diseases of the Colon and Rectum," found that high doses of a concentrated probiotic preparation helped prevent relapses of chronic pouchitis, and was effective in the treatment of mild cases as well.
Crohn's Disease
The evidence to support probiotics as a treatment for Crohn's disease is mixed. However, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one form of probiotic, called Saccharomyces boulardii has shown some effectiveness in treating the effects of the disorder. Saccharomyces boulardii differs from most probiotics in that it is yeast, rather than bacteria. It is commonly known as brewer's yeast.
Chronic Constipation
Several species of bacteria, including Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium longum are among probiotics found helpful in restoring bowel regularity to those with chronic constipation. This effect has been demonstrated in children as well as in older persons living in nursing homes, where treatment with probiotics improved regularity and increased stool frequency.
References
- Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics
- "Pediatrics"; Lactobacillus therapy for acute infectious diarrhea in children: a meta-analysis; CW Van Neil et al; 2002
- Baptist Health Systems: Acidophilus and Other Probiotics
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- "Diseases of the Colon and Rectum"; P. Gionchetti et al; December 2007
- USProbiotics.org: Probiotic Basics
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