Probiotics

http://www.livescience.com/46298-the-lowdown-on-probiotics.html




The term "probiotic" is misused so often that a group of experts has taken a fresh look at what probiotics really are, and examined what scientists have learned about them in recent years.

Probiotics are generally thought of as the "good" bacteria in the body. Experts define probiotics as live microorganisms which confer health benefits when present in adequate amounts. Much of the current research on probiotics is focused on examining which bacterial species may have health benefits, and what those benefits may be.

But there's still enough confusion surrounding the concept of probiotics and what they can offer that some governments do not even allow the term to appear on product labels, to protect consumers from unfounded health claims.

In a new consensus statement, an international group of researchers reviewed the scientific evidence and concluded that for most strains of well-studied probiotics, the evidence has grown enough to say probiotics support digestive health.

"When you look at findings from a variety of studies on different end points that look at some aspect of digestive health, the combined evidence suggests that digestive health is a core benefit of many probiotic species," said Mary Ellen Sanders, a food science researcher and consultant who was one of the experts on the panel, as well as executive science officer for the organization that convened the panel. [5 Ways Gut Bacteria Affect Your Health]

However, the evidence for whether probiotics have health effects on other systems in the body wasn't as strong — the scientific findings were either not as convincing or too strain-specific to be considered core benefits of probiotics in general, Sanders said. For example, many studies have shown that different probiotics can impact immune function in different ways. But because the effects of probiotic strains can vary broadly, and immune-system effects are incredibly diverse, the panel decided that an immune-system boost should not be considered a core benefit of probiotics, Sanders said.

The panel of researchers, convened by an industry group called the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), published their findings this week in the journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

I just eat a probiotic yogurt every day and it really helps my digestive system. Keeps me regular and cheaper than pills, I'd imagine.

H

AngelAura777 wrote: »

Kefir, saurkraut & kombucha are good probiotic foods to include in your diet. Also high fiber through eating lots of fibrous veg helps clear out toxins.

which toxins?

I did a lot of research on probiotics and decided to take Culturelle, which was rated highly. It has helped my digestion immensely. I don't have to scope out the restroom in every location I visit.

And I say this from the position of a person who doesn't really take supplements at all. I listened to an outstanding podcast on probiotics. If I can find it again, I'll post the link. But here is the link to lab-tested ones: https://labdoor.com/rankings/probiotics

If you have acid reflux it's actually probably low stomach acid, try taking a digestive enzyme or Betaine HCL with pepsin!

If you're really looking for a good probiotic make sure it's refrigerated, and that each strain is protected.
- look for lactobacillus acidophilus

Wetcoaster wrote: »

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/probiotics/


Conclusion

Probiotics are useful for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Probiotics may be helpful in preventing other overgrowth syndromes or diseases associated, and perhaps with perturbations of the gut microbial flora such as IBS and colic. Probiotics are foreign bacteria that are not a normal part of your GI tract; they do not enhance your immune system and, in normal people do not promote the nebulous bowel health. If you are a normal human, with a normal diet, save your money. Probiotics have nothing to offer but an increased cost.

This is a great website for all pseudoscience questions! If you think someone is trying to sell you junk, or if you think you might be selling yourself junk, this website is a good place to start

My Dr. Recommended a probiotic and meta-mucil as well! I struggle with acid reflux and have been severely bloated in things I eat. Just had endoscopy done yesterday and I have a inflamed esophagus and upper stomach.I'm now on 80 Mg's of omeprazole

Probiotics are basically pseudoscience right now. There's no compelling peer review clinical studies showing that they achieve what many sellers claim.

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DH drink goat kfir, eats yogurt too, and we get naturally fermented vegetables for him as well.

Have you tried drinking buttermilk or kombucha?

I haven't' heard of probiotics for acid reflux.

For me, I take them when I take antibiotics to reduce my risk of yeast infections.