More information on probiotics

Should I be taking a probiotic supplement?

Most healthcare professionals do not recommend taking a probiotic supplement unless suggested by your doctor¹⁵.

That being said, the scientific community concludes that there is an increasing amount of evidence that alludes to the health benefits⁴ of probiotics, however conclusive evidence is still pending.

It is important to remember that these dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA or other health bodies. In fact, some research has identified issues surrounding the stability of this dietary supplements¹⁵ and findings have indicated that there is a discrepancy between the actual and stated probiotics levels found in many of the supplements currently available. Other considerations such as how the supplements should be stored (i.e. refrigeration etc.) may also influence these products.

Are all probiotics identical?

All probiotics are different. Although the most commonly found strains in foods and supplements include Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii, there are a large number of other probiotic strains that exist. Certain strains have been linked to the improvement of specific conditions and disease, in addition, combining probiotic strains may have beneficial benefits.

How will I know if my probiotic supplements are working?

A number of doctors or health experts will recommend waiting two months before making any judgements regarding the efficacy and dosage of these supplements – this rule applies regardless of whether you are taking probiotics through food or supplements. It is thought that this amount of time should allow for the bacteria to have adequate time to colonise the gut¹⁵.

 

 

^References:

^{4. Harvard Medical School. 2014. The benefits of probiotics bacteria. Available: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-benefits-of-probiotics [Accessed 20.03.2018]}

^{15. Michigan University. 2014. The Pros and Cons of Probiotics. Available:  https://www.med.umich.edu/docs/tip-2014/probiotics-0814.pdf [Accessed 20.03.2018]}