Several probiotic products are marketed as effective treatments for acute diarrhea in children, but a study published online today finds that not all of these preparations are effective. Probiotics are defined as micro-organisms that exert beneficial effects on human health when they colonize the bowel.
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Duration of diarrhoea was significantly lower in children receiving Lactobacillus GG and a mix of four bacterial strains than in patients receiving oral rehydration alone. The three other preparations had no significant effect.
Secondary outcomes were similar in all groups and no side effects were recorded.
Probiotics are defined as micro-organisms that exert beneficial effects on human health when they colonise the bowel.
Unfortunately, the term "probiotics" is also now being applied to non-living products and by-products of living microorganisms, which aid in promoting growth of certain microbes, as well as promoting health of a patient.
So we can have "probiotics" that are just nutritional supplements that affect which bacteria will grow, as well as those that benefit the health of the recipient. The term, "prebiotic," is now being applied for the former type (help certain microbes to grow), but sometimes, the distinction is not being made and the term "probiotics" is used generally.
Prebiotics that are nutrients for microorganisms may not serve any purpose if there are no microorganisms in the first place. The use of such products presumes that there are some beneficial microorganisms already present, which is unlikely in cases like diarrhea or antimicrobial treatments. In most other cases, prebiotics, by enhancing multiplication of already present beneficial microorganisms, can be considered probiotic.
Prebiotics that are nutrients for microorganisms may not serve any purpose if there are no microorganisms in the first place. The use of such products presumes that there are some beneficial microorganisms already present, which is unlikely in cases like diarrhea or antimicrobial treatments. In most other cases, prebiotics, by enhancing multiplication of already present beneficial microorganisms, can be considered probiotic.
Gerry
OK Gerry, I'll buy that. You're saying that prebiotics presupposes the presence of beneficial
microorganisms, but doesn't probiotics presuppose the presence of harmful gut bacteria?
There are no harmful gut bacteria in a bottle of probiotics but the capsules are full of probiotics. I'm just teasing.
I had extreme hay fever symptoms up until the age of 36 when I started taking FloraBalance. After taking this product for 2 months, no more hayfever and it stayed gone for many years. (I am now 55.)
Then a few months ago I started taking Culturelle. The hay fever came back! I thought surely a probiotic wouldn't cause the hay fever to return. So I got off of it for a few weeks and the symptoms went away. Then, I tried Culturelle again and the same thing happened. So, just to make sure I went through the process a third time and while on Culturelle, I came down with hay fever so needless to say, that product is out of my life. However, I would have never believed that a probiotic can cause allergy symptoms.
I had extreme hay fever symptoms up until the age of 36 when I started taking FloraBalance. After taking this product for 2 months, no more hayfever and it stayed gone for many years. (I am now 55.)
Then a few months ago I started taking Culturelle. The hay fever came back! I thought surely a probiotic wouldn't cause the hay fever to return. So I got off of it for a few weeks and the symptoms went away. Then, I tried Culturelle again and the same thing happened. So, just to make sure I went through the process a third time and while on Culturelle, I came down with hay fever so needless to say, that product is out of my life. However, I would have never believed that a probiotic can cause allergy symptoms.
HJ
how could this happen? can a person be allergic to a type of probiotic?
how could this happen? can a person be allergic to a type of probiotic?
I suppose it's possible. Or, they might be allergic to another ingredient in the product - FOS or Inulin, for instance.
It could even be that a person is highly-sensitive to dairy and the probiotic has residual amounts of dairy present.
Trial and error is still one of the best ways to determine a product or food's impact on you, as an individual.
A common saying goes something like this: Broccoli is a very healthy vegetable. But, if you're allergic/sensitive to broccoli, it's a poison and not healthy at all for you.
Probiotics Aren't All Created Equal
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