Probiotics promise a lot, but their benefits only make sense when viewed in the context of the gut’s complex inner world. Before judging the claims on the label, it’s worth understanding how the microbiome works and where “good bacteria” actually fit in.
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea (AAD) is one of the most well-studied applications of probiotics. Antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, which, in turn, can lead to diarrhoea.
Numerous clinical trials have shown that specific probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces Boulardii, can significantly reduce the risk and duration of AAD.
The chosen probiotic should be taken alongside the antibiotics and continued for one to two weeks after the antibiotic course has ended.
IBS is a very common gastrointestinal disorder characterised by symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits.
Also, some studies have suggested that as IBS is a functional disorder of the GI tract, the effect of probiotic is more likely to be a placebo effect.
IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gut characterised by ulcers in the intestines.
Evidence supporting the use of probiotics as an adjunct treatment is thin. Even for those probiotics found to be of some use, the efficacy depends heavily on the specific IBD subtype and the probiotic strain used.
There is some emerging evidence for the use of probiotics in other conditions like certain respiratory tract infections, dental caries, and atopic dermatitis.