Probiotics should i take

Probiotics have lots of potential benefits and very few drawbacks, though more research still needs to be done. You might want to consider adding them to your regimen, especially during those times when you are prescribed antibiotics or experiencing any sort of digestive problems. But, as always, consult your doctor for advice.

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J Diabetes Investig. Hendler R, Zhang Y. Probiotics in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Medicines Basel. AGA clinical practice guidelines on the role of probiotics in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Your gut flora performs many important health functions. It manufactures vitamins, including vitamin K and some of the B vitamins It also turns fibers into short-chain fats like butyrate, propionate, and acetate, which feed your gut wall and perform many metabolic functions 19 , These fats also stimulate your immune system and strengthen your gut wall.

This can help prevent unwanted substances from entering your body and provoking an immune response 21 , Your gut flora is highly sensitive to your diet, and studies show that an unbalanced gut flora is linked to numerous diseases 23 , Your gut flora consists of hundreds of types of microorganisms. These microorganisms perform numerous important bodily functions. Probiotics are widely researched for their effects on digestive health Evidence suggests that probiotic supplements can help cure antibiotic-associated diarrhea When people take antibiotics , especially for long periods of time, they often experience diarrhea — even long after the infection has been eradicated.

This is because the antibiotics kill many of the natural bacteria in your gut, which shifts the gut balance and allows harmful bacteria to thrive. Probiotics may also help combat irritable bowel syndrome IBS , a common digestive disorder, reducing gas, bloating , constipation, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

Research regarding the effectiveness of probiotics supplementation for the treatment of IBS is mixed. A recent review reported that seven of the studies indicated IBS improvement with probiotic supplementation, but four did not Research indicates that multi-strain probiotic supplements seem to bring most IBS improvement, especially when taken for longer than 8 weeks. However, much remains unknown about probiotic treatment for IBS. Questions like the following have yet to be answered 33 :.

Researchers find early results of IBS probiotic treatment promising but say additional large trials are necessary before healthcare providers can confidently prescribe probiotic treatments consistently for IBS Again, researchers say further research is needed before the treatment is confirmed to be effective Probiotics may also help fight Helicobacter pylori infections, which are one of the main drivers of ulcers and stomach cancer 36 , 37 , However, be sure to consult your healthcare provider first.

Probiotics may be effective against various digestive problems, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and IBS. Some research indicates that people with obesity have different gut bacteria than those who are lean Research shows a connection between gut microbes and obesity in both infants and adults.

It also shows that microbial changes in the gut are a factor in developing obesity as an adult Therefore, many scientists believe that your gut bacteria are important in determining body weight 41 , While more research is needed, some probiotic strains appear to aid weight loss Nevertheless, researchers advise caution in rushing to this conclusion, noting that there are still many unknowns.

These unknowns include 44 :. In one study, people with central obesity, which is characterized by excess belly fat , took the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri daily. Participants lost an average of approximately 8. Evidence also suggests that Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis can aid weight loss and help prevent obesity — though more research is needed Though more research is necessary, some evidence suggests that certain probiotic strains can aid weight loss.

In the past decade, research has shown that the gut and brain are connected in a system called the gut-brain axis. Some research shows that certain microbes in the gut can affect your brain via this axis in both health and disease. Which microbes these are and how they interact with the brain is the subject of much current research Some researchers suggest that, for some people, supplementing with certain strains of probiotics may be preferable to taking psychotropic drugs to cope with the mental stress, loneliness, and grief accompanying the current COVID pandemic In addition to their potential effects on weight loss, digestion, and neurological disorders, probiotics may improve heart health, immune function, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Some researchers propose that improving the gut microbiome via probiotic supplementation and diet may be a strategy to fight and treat an infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV This is believed to be the main cause of deteriorating health and even death Also, people with COVID have reported gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite Some researchers theorize that probiotics could help prevent the coronavirus by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE receptor where the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen enters the body to invade gastrointestinal cells Imbalances of the intestinal flora are known to be related to lung diseases and respiratory tract infections.

Researchers suggest that correcting those imbalances may promote optimum lung health, which might help guard against pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 68 , Other research suggests that probiotic supplementation may promote antiviral activity in general to improve immune, pulmonary, and anti-inflammatory response that might help clear the SARS-CoV-2 infection 70 , All these hypotheses are at the theoretical stage.

Researchers say further studies are needed to confirm them. One study advises caution, suggesting that not all probiotic strains will exert the same effects. How to know if you should take a probiotic. Benefits of taking probiotics. Potential risks of taking probiotics. How to pick the right probiotic source. Bottom line. Kristine Thomason mbg Senior Health Editor. Kristine Thomason is the senior health editor at mindbodygreen.

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