There have been loads of discussions and research done on probiotics, and results have changed the overall perspective about them.
Use of Probiotics in Gastrointestinal Disorders
The question is no longer if you should take probiotics, as it has changed to how you should consume them. Most internet users advocate for natural sources such as yogurt, but with the development in the medical world, there are probiotic supplements available.
As much as this is good news, it takes less time and effort to swallow a pill than take a whole cup of yogurt, and there are concerns about their relationship to gastrointestinal disorders.
Many people are unsure of the contents of these colon health probiotics, and they are demanding answers from manufacturers. While all these are just conspiracies, let’s look at what science says concerning this matter.
What the Science Says
Colon health probiotics contain microorganisms that resemble beneficial bacteria that naturally occur in our guts. There are multiple types of research and tests done on probiotics, but the major problem arises when physicians want to prescribe a particular dose to their patients.
This is because the effectiveness relies upon the dose-specific, disease-specific, and species-specific. The duration of them to work for you will be included in the prescription, affecting the effectiveness.
Use of Probiotics in Gastrointestinal Disorders
These probiotics have a critical role in maintaining immunologic equilibrium in the gastrointestinal tract by interacting directly with the immune cells.
There is evidence that links probiotics to improving and clearing several gastrointestinal disorders. Research shows that colon health probiotics are effective in dealing with
- Acute infectious diarrhea
- Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea
- Ulcerative colitis
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Constipation
- Functional abdominal pain
- H. pylori infection
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- Colic
However, even though there are significant results from probiotics in the above disorders, it does not work for other illnesses. They are not effective for Crohn’s disease and acute pancreatitis.
Since there are different probiotics supplements, the quality will affect the results you might receive.
Safety and Side Effects
Questions often arise about the quality control in many manufacturers of probiotics supplements. There is also concern that some people’s guts don’t show promising results while using some probiotics supplements, and the indefinite duration period of a dose often seems confusing.
Nonetheless, probiotics supplements are safe to consume, although the immunologically vulnerable populations should exercise some caution.
These probiotics supplements have gone through a series of meta-analyses, practice guidelines, and random controlled trials, which still yielded promising results, making them effective.
They are safe for infants, children, adults, and the elderly. There are potential side effects from probiotics consumption, which include bloating, thirst, increase in gas, and constipation.
Despite the multiple discussions and claims by different parties on probiotics, these supplements have many positive results. They help in many gastrointestinal disorders, and they can come through for you in multiple ways. They are easy to consume, and they can be bought over the counter.
