Probiotics

Probioticsmay help protect premature babies

Some babies born prematurely are at risk of a serious condition callednecrotising enterocolitis (NEC). This is when tissues in the baby's gut become inflamed and start to die.

There's some good evidence that probioticsmay reducethe likelihood of premature babiesdeveloping NEC , although there are still some uncertainties, and routine use of probiotics in premature babies isnt currently recommended.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for probiotics

Introduction

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts promoted as having various health benefits. They're usually added to yoghurts or taken as food supplements, and are often described as 'good' or 'friendly' bacteria.

Potentialissues with probiotic yoghurts and food supplements

If you're considering trying probiotics, there are a few issues you need to be aware of. Firstly, probiotics are generally classed as food rather than medicine, which means they don't undergo the rig

Theevidence for probiotics

Read on or use the links below to find out about the evidence concerning some common uses for probiotics: preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) treating infectious diarrhoea protec

Probioticscan preventAAD

There'sfairly good evidence thattaking high doses of some probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosusor Saccharomyces boulardii) while taking Penicillin can helpprevent children getting AAD . Without probio

Probiotics may treatinfectious diarrhoea

There'ssome evidence that probiotics can shorten an episode of diarrhoea caused by a stomach bug by about a day. However,the evidence isn't yet strong enough to make any treatment recommendations. R

Probioticsmay help protect premature babies

Some babies born prematurely are at risk of a serious condition callednecrotising enterocolitis (NEC). This is when tissues in the baby's gut become inflamed and start to die. There's some good evide

Probioticsmay help IBS

Probiotics may help to reduce bloating and flatulence in some people with IBS . This issupported bya research published in 2010 , although we don't yet knowthe extent of the benefits, nor the most e

Probioticsmay helpif you're lactose intolerant

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem in which the body is unable to digest lactose (a type of sugar found mainly in milk and dairy products). Some studies have found that certain probiot

Probioticsmay help pouchitis

Some people with ulcerative colitis need to have part of their bowel removed and a loop of bowel constructed in its place. This loop, or pouch, can sometimes become inflamed, leading todiarrhoea and

Probiotics don't seem to help babies with colic

It has been suggested that probiotics may be a useful treatment for babies with colic , but there's little evidence to suggest they're effective. A 2013 study concluded that certain probiotics may he

Do probiotics boost the immune system?

Adverts for probiotic yoghurts used to claim they could "boost your immune system", but these claimswereruled unprovenby The European Food Safety Authority and can no longer be made. Theres a lack of

Probioticscan't be recommended for vaginal conditions

There have been suggestions that probiotics can help in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis . However, even when they are taken with antibiotics, there's currently no evidence of any extra benefits.

Probioticscan't be used for IBD

There's a lack of evidence to make any conclusions about the effectiveness of probiotics forrelieving symptoms of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis .

Probiotics are not supported for eczema

Some studies have suggested that giving probiotics to young children may reduce their risk of developing eczema , but the evidence is not very strong. There's no evidence to support claims that probi

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