Probiotics: Are They Just a Dietary Supplement?
Probiotics have become more and more mainstream. Headlines often discuss how these beneficial bacteria are found in fermented foods and pills. Store shelves are stocked with kombucha and pills that advertise more than 50 billion live cultures. More people are buying probiotic pills and discussing how it can benefit and support digestive and reproductive health. However, as research on the gut continues, specifically on what bacteria is essential and what role probiotics can play in medicine, there are important considerations to take into account when deciding to take probiotics.
According to Harvard Health, probiotics can be beneficial in dealing with diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The article also states that when it comes to urogenital health, the health of the urinary and genital organs, probiotics appear to help treat bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. However, the effectiveness and risk factors of probiotics remain under study. Since probiotic pills are a dietary supplement, they do not undergo drug testing. This allows the manufacturer to decide what to include and leaves it up to the customer to understand the ingredients in these mixtures, which are often labeled generally and do not specify all 50 billion live cultures. While probiotics are marketed as a dietary supplement, it is important to check with a doctor or pharmacist if they are okay to take.
According to Harvard Health, probiotics can be beneficial in dealing with diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The article also states that when it comes to urogenital health, the health of the urinary and genital organs, probiotics appear to help treat bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. However, the effectiveness and risk factors of probiotics remain under study. Since probiotic pills are a dietary supplement, they do not undergo drug testing. This allows the manufacturer to decide what to include and leaves it up to the customer to understand the ingredients in these mixtures, which are often labeled generally and do not specify all 50 billion live cultures. While probiotics are marketed as a dietary supplement, it is important to check with a doctor or pharmacist if they are okay to take.
Yogurt is a common food full of probiotics that result from how it is produced but rarely included on the packaging or nutritional label.
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Probiotics became widely accepted in the public since they can be used to combat dysbiosis, otherwise known as microbial imbalance, usually following antibiotic usage. A recent review expands on who is at risk for the bacterial strains usually contained in probiotic products and where research stands on the application of probiotics. Currently, probiotics have only been confirmed to improve oral and gut issues. However, more studies are looking into the relationship between probiotics and type 2 diabetes, immune system function, and cardiovascular health.
Each individual’s gut flora and vaginal flora is different; therefore, it is necessary to question how probiotics are targeted as universally effective. While probiotics are considered “good” bacteria, there can be complications for people with weakened immune systems. The same report questioning probiotic marketing had shown there is a risk for antibiotic resistance, sepsis for a surgical patient, and anaphylactic allergic response resulting from probiotic use. The review defines at-risk populations to negative responses to probiotics as preterm infants and those suffering from critical illness, such as cancer, AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea.
It is evident that there is still debate within the medical community about the use of probiotics, and further research is needed. However, while many of the concerns and benefits of probiotics are not definitive, it is important for the public to consider why they are taking probiotics and consult with their doctor about if they are necessary. While probiotics have been portrayed as beneficial to maintaining bacterial health overall, there are important considerations such as whether there is risk and consumer safety based on what manufacturers’ include in their probiotic products.
Each individual’s gut flora and vaginal flora is different; therefore, it is necessary to question how probiotics are targeted as universally effective. While probiotics are considered “good” bacteria, there can be complications for people with weakened immune systems. The same report questioning probiotic marketing had shown there is a risk for antibiotic resistance, sepsis for a surgical patient, and anaphylactic allergic response resulting from probiotic use. The review defines at-risk populations to negative responses to probiotics as preterm infants and those suffering from critical illness, such as cancer, AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea.
It is evident that there is still debate within the medical community about the use of probiotics, and further research is needed. However, while many of the concerns and benefits of probiotics are not definitive, it is important for the public to consider why they are taking probiotics and consult with their doctor about if they are necessary. While probiotics have been portrayed as beneficial to maintaining bacterial health overall, there are important considerations such as whether there is risk and consumer safety based on what manufacturers’ include in their probiotic products.
Featured Image Source: geralt
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