Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. It is believed to be a result of a dysfunctional immune system response in genetically susceptible individuals. The inflammation of the mucous membranes of the intestines causes the symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding, weight loss and dehydration. Probiotics have been successfully used to treat acute diarrhea and prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea. Evidence supporting the use of probiotics in Crohn's disease is weak.
Abdominal Pain
The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea. Probiotics are living microorganisms that are thought to provide health benefits by altering the growth of bacteria in the intestinal tract. Researchers hypothesize that the administration of probiotics to patients with Crohn's disease might reduce inflammation and the associated symptoms. Andrew D. Butterworth and his fellow researchers published their findings in an article, "Probiotics for Induction of Remission of Crohn's Disease." They concluded that there is no sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of probiotics for the treatment of Crohn's disease.
Diarrhea
One study, cited on the University of Maryland Medical Center website, indicated that probiotics, especially Saccharomyces boulardi, reduced the incidence of diarrhea in Crohn's disease patients. In this study, the administered dosage ranged from 250 mg of Saccharomyces boulardi given three times per day to 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardi given four times per day. It was noted that other studies offered mixed results.
Inflammation of Intestinal Membranes
Antibiotics have been an accepted treatment for Crohn's disease. Long-term use of antibiotics carries the risk of developing bacterial resistance. Use of probiotics offers a promising alternative to reducing the severity of recurrent intestinal lesions. However, in one clinical trial, reported in the September 2002 issue of "Digestive and Liver Disease," researchers found no difference between the effectiveness of the use of probiotics or a placebo. A group of 45 Crohn's disease patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group received Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG, and the control group received a placebo. The clinical trial lasted for 1 year.
