Probiotics may help prevent and manage a variety of gut disorders and complaints, from diarrhea to IBD to gastric ulcers. Which species have been tested, and which one could be right for you? Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n
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Probiotic supplements are currently under investigation for their potential to improve a number of digestive conditions and complaints. This should come as no surprise, given the important of the gut flora to human health and well-being. As we’ve explored in other posts, the bacteria that live in our intestines have far-reaching consequences<\/a> for our health.<\/p>\n But without going that far, without even leaving the intestines, what benefits could probiotics have? In this post, we’ll discuss the potential of good bacteria to improve digestive health, but they may not be right for everyone; remember to talk to your doctor before adding any new supplement to your regimen.<\/p>\n Use of probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhea decreased the risk of diarrhea by 52%, traveler\u2019s diarrhea by 8%, and acute diarrhea from various causes by 34%. Probiotics were more effective in reducing the risk of acute diarrhea in children 57% versus 26% in adults (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. casei<\/i> reduced the incidence, duration, and severity of diarrhea in children (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. paracasei<\/i> effectively resolved acute diarrhea<\/b> (R<\/a>) and ameliorated non-rotavirus-induced diarrhea in children (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. acidophilus<\/i> reduced the duration of diarrhea in hospitalized, but not outpatient, children (R<\/a>), and ameliorated both rotavirus-positive diarrhea (R<\/a>) and rotavirus-negative diarrhea in children (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. acidophilus<\/i> and B. bifidum<\/i> shortened the duration of diarrhea in infants and children (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. rhamnosus<\/i> administration was associated with significantly lower rates of and symptomatic rotavirus gastroenteritis diarrhea in hospitalized children (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. reuteri<\/i> decreased the incidence of diarrhea in children <\/b>(R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Formula supplemented with B. bifidum<\/i> and S. thermophilus<\/i> reduced the incidence of acute diarrhea and rotavirus shedding in infants admitted to hospital (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. breve <\/i>together with S. thermophilus<\/i> reduced the severity of acute diarrhea<\/b> and dehydration among healthy young infants (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. animalis<\/i> spp. lactis<\/i> milk formula prevents diarrhea in infants and decreased diarrhea frequency and duration <\/b>(R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n S. boulardii <\/i>significantly reduced the frequency and duration of acute diarrhea<\/b> in children (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>). It also often reduced the length of ECU and hospital stay<\/b> in acute infectious gastroenteritis in children (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n S. boulardii <\/i>also decreased the duration and frequency of diarrhea and ameliorated abdominal pain<\/b> in adults (R<\/a>); it shortened the length of hospital stay in patients with acute infectious diarrhea (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Treatment with L. rhamnosus<\/i> reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in patients treated with antibiotics from 22.4% to 12.3% (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. casei<\/i> intake was associated with a decreased risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea<\/b> (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. helveticus<\/i> and L. rhamnosus<\/i> supplementation significantly reduced the duration of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in healthy adults receiving antibiotics (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. animalis<\/i> spp. lactis<\/i> together with S. thermophilus<\/i> reduced the frequency of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in infants (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Concomitant administration of C. butyricum<\/i> with antibiotics normalized the intestinal microbiota<\/a>, prevented the decrease of Bifidobacteria, and effectively prevented and improved antibiotic-associated diarrhea<\/b> in children (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Some studies report that S. boulardii <\/i>is not effective in preventing the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>). However, many studies demonstrate that S. boulardii <\/i>effectively reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea<\/b> in both children and adults (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. subtilis<\/i> significantly reduced the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea<\/b> and prevented nausea, bloating, vomiting and abdominal pain<\/b> (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n S<\/i>. boulardii<\/i> may prevent traveler\u2019s diarrhea<\/b>, particularly in regions such as North Africa and in the Near-east (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Probiotics may have a beneficial effect on the prevention of chemo- and radiotherapy-induced diarrhea, where they rarely cause adverse effects (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n See individual probiotic posts for more information and animal studies.<\/i><\/p>\nLikely Effective For<\/span><\/h3>\n
1) Diarrhea<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Acute Infective Diarrhea<\/b><\/h4>\n
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea<\/b><\/h4>\n
Traveler\u2019s Diarrhea<\/b><\/h4>\n
Chemo- and Radiotherapy-induced Diarrhea<\/b><\/h4>\n