Podcast #300: Probiotics

Author: Peter Bakes, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• Probiotics are living bacteria that are taken as an oral supplement.
• Most of the data to support their use is in the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhea and the reduction of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC).
• Some studies have some a reduction of the incidence of antibiotic-related diarrhea in children of up to 12% with the use of probiotics.
• There may be a reduction of up to 60% in the incidence of antibiotic-related C. diff infection in adults with probiotic use
• Studies have shown a 10% or more reduction in the duration and severity of the symptoms of UC with probiotic use.
• Proposed mechanisms of probiotics include a decrease in gut permeability and a decrease in pathogenic gut bacteria due to resource competition.

References: http://www.cochrane.org/CD006095/IBD_use-probiotics-prevent-clostridium-difficile-diarrhea-associated-antibiotic-use